great sound, reminds me of collective soul but harder

good opening hook and production. Nice work

loving the grungy feel  dudes voice fits perfectly

Cool Rockin' track! Catchy melodies! Great work!

A powerful song with all the elements to make it a good one

This is pretty kickass. Good groove Mark. Good phrasing too

The Nashville troubadour takes listeners on a journey to the heart of American music.

Mark Henes has spent years performing around Nashville’s music scene, cultivating a loyal following with his genre hopping, Americana influenced sound.  Now he is finally ready to formally introduce himself to the world with the release of his debut album “Crystallized Reflections,” which features thirteen stellar tracks that touch on everything from country and soul to punk.  

Lead single “Ghost Train” kicks things off.  A haunted ode to lost love, the song takes its influence from the outlaw country of the seventies, with a hard edged sound held together by Henes’ booming baritone.  Mark immediately starts to show his versatility as he switches gears on album highlight “I Pray, I Pray,” in which he is backed by a soulful horn section.  The acoustic guitar driven “The Underground” channels Johnny Cash.  “I am traveling to the north country,” he sings mournfully, as a string section sets the mood behind him.

There are many artists out there who can play multiple genres, but very few who can do it as convincingly as Henes.  This is best exemplified by “Strip Me Down,” in which the young songwriter shows off a completely different side of his artistry.  An energetic pop punk song that would sound right at home on the Warped Tour, it shows Mark at his most confrontational, with a hook that gets stuck in your head right away and stays there for weeks.

Across thirteen songs, Mark rarely repeats himself stylistically, but the entire album is held together by his commanding voice and thematic consistency.  On “Arm Full Of Roses,” he slows things down again, with a comforting ballad that might have sounded at home on vintage FM radio in the sixties.  The reverb heavy guitars and doo wop harmonies enhance the retro magic of the production, before giving way to chugging blues rock of “Death Was The Penalty,” in which Mark plays the role of convicted criminal as a wall of guitars provides the soundtrack for his getaway.

By the time Henes gets to album closer “Tennessee Hills,” with its old time fiddles and banjos, the listener gets the sense they’ve spent the past hour or so driving slowly across the middle of the country, exchanging stories and songs with a childhood friend.  “Crystallized Reflections” is a truly one of a kind album from an artist who is just getting started on his musical journey.  

“Crystallized Reflections” is available everywhere Oct 30, 2020

Crystallized Reflections

Death Was The Penalty

Singer/songwriter Mark Henes is a living, breathing embodiment of the spirit of American music.  Well versed in everything from the classic honky-tonk of Hank Williams to the electric soul of Jimi Hendrix, he reimagines Americana for the 21st century, with high energy songs that range from thoughtful introspection to all out rock.

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Henes’ career as a musician seemed almost predetermined.  Growing up in the recording capitol of America, he was constantly surrounded by music.  The high lonesome sound of vintage country, the sensitivity of the seventies singer/songwriters, the ferocity of the electric blues, he absorbed them all before he was even a young man.  By the time he began performing around town, it was like he’d been doing it all his life.  When he finally started writing songs of his own, he blended all of his influences into one sound that only he could make.  

In 2020 he officially arrived on the scene with his debut LP ‘Crystallized Reflections.’  A convincing and passionate collection of songs spanning several genres, it was well received locally with one critic praising its “haunting alt country and raucous rockiness.”  Now Mark is building on his early success and bracing for a national audience with the release his newest single, ‘What Could You Be Right Now.’  With an eye for poetic detail that matches his muscular instrumental arrangements, he explores the modern world fearlessly, offering a unique perspective all its own. 

While many musicians are content to be boxed into one genre, Mark is the rare artist who can draw connections between seemingly disparate styles to create something one of a kind.  He is truly unique in the world of singer/songwriters and his music is well worth your time.

Comments

Psychedelic Revolution

Menelic

Under The Bad Sign

SubSonic Reverb

Harv0

Immodium

Jorivaldo (⚜WROSPAPPI⚜)

Desert Rain Project

MadBusker

just jake.