Marco Mahler - Design In Quick Rotation

There are two types of headphone music. There's the progressive kind which contains all sorts of studio wizardry that, if not played in headphones, you're missing the full experience. And then there's the mellow acoustic kind. This means that the playing is so crisp and clear and the vocals are so pronounced that, again, if not listened to in headphones, you're missing the full experience.

Marco Mahler's debut Design In Quick Rotation falls in the second category. The best way to describe this effort is to use the term 'refreshing.' Marco is of Swiss heritage but lives as a dual citizen of both the U.S. and Switzerland, and he draws influences from both areas and all places inbetween. The names that get dropped when describing his sound are Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake and Jose Gonzalez. As monotonous as those comparisons get after awhile, in this case, they're highly accurate. His lyrics are fascinating, alternating from the obscure to the philosophical, being inspired by Henri Poincare (a physicist) as much as Dylan. Here's one lyrical snippet from the song "1's and 0's":

"One dimensional things out of chronology / World wide trade anthology / Childlike elevation, waiting for salvation / A self made active brilliance, for millions, like ants chasing ants / Like cows with hay fever, and maniac weavers."

Some of us may 'get it' right away, but for ones like myself, understanding such lyrical points of view may require a little bit of research. But that's what keeps things interesting. For me, the highlights are the instrumental songs on the album. I find them very soothing and enjoyable. This a well rounded album that is ideal for chilling out and/or deep reflection.

Download: Design In Quick Rotation mp3 / Orange Chinese Car mp3
Myspace: Marco Mahler
Purchase: Design In Quick Rotation at CDBaby