Well hello! I hope this day finds you well and happy. Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to read the ramblings of an old fantasy Songwriter/Lyricist.

By now it’s probably come to your attention that we’ve put together a brand new concept album. Yup, it’s a “concept album”. I know, we previously indicated that future releases would be "singles". And, that we probably would never produce another “concept album". Well, like with so many things in life, we were wrong. Sorry.

This one follows our friend Marcel in a most wonderful time; the Victorian Age.  A time when men oozed with honor, and women with seductive allure. It was a time when technology was first introduced to the world. When it was believed that great steam powered engines were to be the driving force; blending the best qualities of man and machine. The possibilities were endless and mankind's technology was just getting started.

In this brand new eleven song collection, we paint our mascot Marcel as the great inventor and lady’s man. Each number was carefully crafted to follow the previous one mapping a musical journey (for about 45 minutes, give or take a few) which will lift the spirit and tantalize the soul. Or, perhaps only give you a few minutes of much needed beauty sleep. Either way, grab your favorite music player and find a comfy chair. Strap on your best headset and set the volume to “safe”. Then turn out the lights and enjoy the listen.

And as always, thanks for listening.

-Mark

Buy from MOR Store

Playing Out Of Time

Rock it! - is by far Mimes On Rollercoasters™ most unusual album release to-date.  The cover art features a 1960’s style “space-suited” mime, standing on planet Mars next to a metallic rocking chair, staring hopefully out into space.  The ominous backdrop displays the magnificent power of our own Sun with a tiny spec of the Earth off in the distance behind.  What does it all mean?  Well that’s for you to decide!

Drawing our influence from the great Prog Rock masters of the 1970’s, Mimes On Rollercoasters™ music delivers something for everyone.  Tagged as Classic Style Prog Rock, Rock it! boasts catchy melodies, intriguing lyrics, and rich vocal harmonies.  You will be hard pressed to find a similar comparable album.  Mimes On Rollercoasters™ music truly is unique.  And for that, we make no apologies!

As with all Mimes On Rollercoasters™ albums, Rock it! is best enjoyed from start to finish, without interruption.  Preferably, one would wear a good grade of studio headphones, plugged into a high quality amplifier attached to any brand-name CD player, with the Rock it! CD spinning in the tray. And, to avoid distractions, turn out the lights!  Okay, I know that’s likely a bit unrealistic, but a good set of earbuds plugged into your MP3 player should suffice.  But definitely turn out the lights!

Although not specifically billed as a concept album, one may argue that many elements of Rock it! would seem to suggest such intent.  Perhaps that’s due to our past concept album history.  Rock it! - centered around the plight of the middle-class, middle-aged American, holds the futuristic hope that one day humans will venture beyond the “home turf” and explore new worlds.  But at the same time Rock it! remains well grounded in the reality of life on planet Earth.

As always, slip on those headphones; relax in a comfortable chair, shut off the lights, close your eyes and let yourself be absorbed in Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - Rock it!

Rock it!

Well here we go again, another album that bridges several genres’.  “genre’: UNKNOWN” is an eclectic mix of music, recorded over several years, and assembled on this 10 song release.  

It includes some of our “classic style”, melodic progressive rock (both old and new), along with some unplugged (live mix) classic tracks from our roots.  And it finishes with a little jazzy jam, done in the old “vinyl record” style, complete with pops and skips.  

This one’s no concept album folks, but yet still very “Mimes On Rollercoasters”, without a doubt.  

Enjoy!

genre: UNKNOWN

Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3 is the third concept album based on The Adventures of Marcel and Mimi Mime.  Continuing the saga, this album announces the birth of their first child, Maxine.  As the music unfolds, you soon discover that all is not well in paradise.  Mimi is suffering unusually intense postpartum depression.  Marcel on the other hand, recently released from prison, is trying to become adjusted to life on the outside, but at the same time is very confused by Mimi’s odd and sometimes psychotic behavior.  One thing’s for sure; they both love their new baby girl to the ends of the earth.

Heavily influenced by the great Progressive Rock masters such as, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull and Yes, Mark delivers something for everyone in this latest work, yet still ties the ten brand new selections together with that unique Mimes On Rollercoasters™ sound.

The “musical story” will immediately draw you in, right from the first selection, Labor To Life, which can be best described as a musical journey from conception to birth.  But musically, the story does not end there.  In fact, it’s only just the beginning.  Along the way, you will discover music influenced by several genres from Electronic to Western and Acoustic to full on Classical with several stops in between.  If you like variety drawn together by a familiar continuity, you will definitely like Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3.

So slip on a set of headphones; sit back in a comfortable chair, shut off the lights, close your eyes and give Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3 a listen.  You won’t be disappointed!

Pandemic - A musical journey of collective emotions

The year is 2022. The world still struggles for normalcy after enduring two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We look both back and ahead to try to make sense of it all.

So many questions, and so many  more remain unanswered. How did this happen? Who is responsible? Did we respond appropriately? Was it as bad as reported, or perhaps worse? How and when will it finally end? What will be the ultimate toll? Have humans entered a new age? Was the prior age so bad? Were medical advances really made? Were they worth the risks? Was an ulterior motive behind it? Was humanity irreparably damaged?

Well I cannot answer these questions, because I'm merely a songwriter. Maybe someday all will become clear. Some will have been right, and some wrong. Some will live in history as the heroes, while others will turn out to be evil villans. It's not for me to predict. However, here I can offer you some new music that in my mind conveys the emotional journey the COVID-19 pandemic has put our world through. I hope that you find this new piece unnerving, haunting, dark, frightening, uplifting, calming, and most of all, stimulating.

Pandemic

Christmas is a time to gather with family and build wonderful memories. This applies to all ages. Thinking back, we have loved Christmas during all stages of our lives. Each stage brings new wonder and happiness as we rediscover what the holiday season means to us, year after year.

A Cup Of Christmas Cheer

Criminal Mimes is the second album in the continuing saga of the Adventures of Marcel and Mimi Mime.  This album finds Marcel and Mimi just trying to survive after falling on hard times.  Marcel has lost his job; they’ve completely depleted their savings and finally, lost their home.  They are living on the streets and worst of all, it’s Christmas!

At this point in the Mimes On Rollercoasters™ timeline, our debut CD The First Date, (released December of 2012) has enjoyed good reviews and international success.   This encouragement is what drove me right back into the studio in January of 2013 to begin writing and recording Criminal Mimes.

In looking for a more edgy sound for Criminal Mimes, I turned to my old friend Greg Teresi for both inspiration and collaboration.  Together I think we’ve managed to crank out several tracks that deliver just the sound needed to bring this story to life. Greg’s guitar work is featured on the tracks: I Woke Up, Breaking Up, Alone In The Night and Doing Hard Time.

In some of the more unique aspects of the music, I continue to utilize the haunting sounds of the flute.  Chessie returns on this album to provide her expert interpretations of rock flute.   Providing such a unique sound when used in rock music, the flute can convey anything from a creepy sound, such as you will find in The Creepy Stalking Of Mimi Mime, to a mysterious sound as found in Doing Hard Time, or somber sound as in Hold Me, and finally to the up beat and happy sound of Making Up. But edgy, mysterious, creepy, somber and happy were just not enough, I still needed something more.  A touch of jazz perhaps?  So I brought in Adeline.

Criminal Mimes marks the debut of Adeline’s amazing alto saxophone with the Mimes On Rollercoasters™.  Featured most prominently on Making Up, Adeline also contributed greatly to the backbone of Doing Hard Time.  Coming from a jazz background, Adeline has provided that extra “something more” that I was looking for.  Watch for her name on future album credits.

In the end, I think it turned out quite nice. Please have a listen.                                ~Mark

Labor To Life

My Time Machine

My Time Machine.WAV

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

The Man, The Myth, The Legend.WAV

Strange Lives

Strange Lives.WAV

Playing Outta Time

Playing Outta Time.WAV

Ladies And Gentlemen Welcome To This Extravaganza

Ladies And Gentlemen Welcome To This Extravaganza.WAV

Marching With The Commoners

Marching With The Commoners.WAV

Playing Out Of TIme

Pedaling Into The Past

Pedaling Into The Past.WAV

High Pressure Release

High Pressure Release.WAV

With A Top Hat, Goggles And A Smile

With A Top Hat, Goggles And A Smile.WAV

Brass Tacks Will Grind The Gears

Brass Tacks Will Grind The Gears.WAV

Building A Head Of Steam

Building A Head Of Steam.WAV

Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3 is the third concept album based on The Adventures of Marcel and Mimi Mime.  Continuing the saga, this album announces the birth of their first child, Maxine.  As the music unfolds, you soon discover that all is not well in paradise.  Mimi is suffering from an unusually intense bout of postpartum depression.  Marcel on the other hand, recently released from prison, is trying to become adjusted to life on the outside. But at the same time, is very confused by Mimi’s odd, and sometimes psychotic behavior.  One thing’s for sure; they both love their new baby girl, to the ends of the earth.

Heavily influenced by the great Progressive Rock masters such as, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull ,  Yes, and even the Moody Blues, Mark delivers something for everyone in this latest work. Yet, he still ties the ten brand new selections together with that unique Mimes On Rollercoasters™ sound.

The “musical story” will immediately immerse you, right from the very first selection. Labor To Life, can be best described as a musical journey from conception to birth.  But musically, the story does not end there.  In fact, it’s only just the beginning.  Along the way, you will discover music influenced by several genres from Electronic to Western, and Acoustic to full on Classical, with several stops in between.  If you like variety, drawn together by a familiar continuity, you will definitely like Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3.

So slip on a set of headphones; sit back in a comfortable chair, shut off the lights, close your eyes and give Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3 a listen.  You won’t be disappointed!

Mimes On Rollercoasters™ - 3

Sunshine

Chained To A Life

One Way Ticket Ride

Oneway Ticket Ride

Painting On Sad Eyes

Well here we are, it's 2024 and we still have the homeless problem in the United States. One might ask how that's possible. Supposedly national and local governments have been addressing the issue for years upon years. Yet, the problem persists.

One wonders if those we vote for truly represent our values. I'm sure you have your own views on that. I will only say this. If I could solve the issue myself, I would have by now. At last, all I can do is dig an old stale tune out from the Mimes On Rollercoasters archive; brush the dust off a bit and give it another go-round. Maybe that will draw some attention to the crisis once again.

Please enjoy what you have and help others when you can. We are one world.

-Mark

In The Morning Sun (2024)

Back in the day my band-mates and me collaborated on and composed many songs which reflected exactly that mindset. And coincidentally enough, while going through a box of very old cassette tapes from the 1970s, I came across one of those songs that a fantastic keyboard player named Kyle and me collaborated on and recorded in his basement studio. It was a VERY rough version, but a great song none the less. So as a nostalgic tribute to Kyle I decided to recorded a brand new arrangement which is based on our late 1970s original collaboration. I'm pretty sure that I've captured the true essence of the original. But ultimately, only Kyle can confirm this.

Reaching Out (To Kyle)

Rock it! - is by far Mimes On Rollercoasters™ most unusual album release to-date.  The cover art features a 1960’s style “space-suited” mime, standing on planet Mars next to a metallic rocking chair, staring hopefully out into space.  The ominous backdrop displays the magnificent power of our own Sun with a tiny spec of the Earth off in the distance behind.  What does it all mean?  Well that’s for you to decide!

Drawing our influence from the great Prog Rock masters of the 1970’s, Mimes On Rollercoasters™ music delivers something for everyone.  Tagged as Classic Style Prog Rock, Rock it! boasts catchy melodies, intriguing lyrics, and rich vocal harmonies.  You will be hard pressed to find a similar comparable album.  Mimes On Rollercoasters™ music truly is unique.  And for that, we make no apologies!

As with all Mimes On Rollercoasters™ albums, Rock it! is best enjoyed from start to finish, without interruption.  Preferably, one would wear a good grade of studio headphones, plugged into a high quality amplifier attached to any brand-name CD player, with the Rock it! CD spinning in the tray. And, to avoid distractions, turn out the lights!  Okay, I know that’s likely a bit unrealistic, but a good set of earbuds plugged into your MP3 player should suffice.  But definitely turn out the lights!

Although not specifically billed as a concept album, one may argue that many elements of Rock it! would seem to suggest such intent.  Perhaps that’s due to our past concept album history.  Rock it! - centered around the plight of the middle-class, middle-aged American, holds the futuristic hope that one day humans will venture beyond the “home turf” and explore new worlds.  But at the same time Rock it! remains well grounded in the reality of life on planet Earth.

Near Earth Orbit

All Systems Down

Weightless

Breathe

Countdown

Growing up in the USA during the 1960's, I watched a lot of television. It was new and exciting; especially as it gradually transitioned from black and white to color.  Screens got larger and pictures got fuzzier. Ah, those were the days, weren't they? I remember the situation comedies the most. TV shows like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Gilligan's Island, and of course The Beverly Hillbillies.

Every show had catchy theme music, an unlikely hero, and of course, a PRETTY GIRL. The transition from the conservative "good girl" look to the more "outwardly sexy" image followed the rise of the "peace and love" movement in the latter part of the 1960's. And the little boys loved it!  I know. I was one of them. Although I had a crush on pretty much every girl on TV at the time, I always had a special curiosity for Elly May. She was mysterious to me. She never seemed to have a boyfriend.  She didn't act like the pretty girl she was. She just loved her critters and paid little attention to anything else. Kind of a Tomboy, but I always thought that she likely had a more "grown up" and "sensual" side to her that we just never were allowed to see. Well that's what I always imagined anyway.

Now fast-forward 50 years and I can finally pay tribute to Elly May with this song. It was a long time in-the-making. I hope you find it was worth the wait!

~Mark

Elly May's Private Zoo

Her eyes burned intensely, searing painfully into his heart, like the cold glistening steel, of a well-honed dagger.  Her pursed lip smile, betrayed her melancholy feelings of conquest, while her tangled brown locks, flowed wildly in the wind.  

He had adored her like no other.  Letting down his guard, completely against his better judgement.  He threw all caution to the wind.  She stole his heart and soul then cast him away, out on his own.  After enduring all that he could bear, he found himself

giving in to the tide, 
                                         riding the waves,                                                                                                                  
                                                                            drifting away…

Drifting Away

Well here we go again, another album that bridges several genres’.  “genre’: UNKNOWN” is an eclectic mix of music, recorded over several years, and assembled on this 10 song release. 

It includes some of our “classic style”, melodic progressive rock (both old and new), along with some unplugged (live mix) classic tracks from our roots.  And it finishes with a little jazzy jam, done in the old “vinyl record” style, complete with pops and skips. 

This one’s no concept album folks, but yet still very “Mimes On Rollercoasters”, without a doubt. 

Enjoy!

The Time We Knew (Live Mix)

The Time We Knew (Live mix)

Old Relations (Live Mix)

Old Relations (Live mix)

Rainbows And Sunsets

A Lover Or A Friend

Well hello and welcome!

Living in the suburbs of Chicago, occasionally brings me downtown into the heart of the city.  It’s on those occasions that I am struck by the number of homeless, who spend their days (in summer and in winter) aimlessly wondering about the city.  This image has inspired me to compose In The Morning Sun. I can only imagine the emptiness and perhaps fear, they must feel as evening turns to night and the rest of us leave the city, leaving them cold and alone.

As a child, I was a big science fiction fan. Reading all of the standard sci-fi novels of the time, I noticed that the general theme was gloom and doom when it came to the human race. And how one day, machines will be our masters. Again, this inspired me to compose more music. Enter the song, Machine Maker. It’s a retrospective of sci-fi from my childhood.

The Time We Knew is perhaps one of my favorite works of the entire collection.  Inspired by the realization that our lives are merely cycles that repeat themselves from generation to generation.  One day while sitting in my studio staring at some old photos hanging on the walls, I noticed the pattern.  I saw grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren, all apparently doing the same things.  All being babies, growing up, going to school, getting jobs, getting married, having children, growing old together, retiring and eventually passing on.  Sounds depressing, but it really isn’t.  Each one of us gets our own life and can enjoy or suffer every moment. It’s our choice.

In the Spring of 1987, my mother passed away after battling cancer.  It was a dark period in my life.  At the time, I felt as if life was treating good people very badly. The experience was inspiration to write The Brighter Side. Every time I perform that song, it reminds me that good and bad things happen, but usually there is a bright side.  Sometimes it can be difficult to see it, but we should always be searching for it.

On The Thin Edge Of Insanity is where we all balance the busy schedules and responsibilities that make up our lives.

Everyone should meet a soul-mate during their lifetime. It’s the single most important experience we all need to have. I met mine 30 years ago. I still remember the feelings of infatuation that have matured into feelings of love and deep respect. She is my love, my best friend and The Girl That I Adore and so inspired me to write a little song about her.

I’m sure everyone has experienced the drifting apart that occurs when old friends become nothing more than memories. It has happened more than a few times in my life.  And as such, I drew inspiration from that for the song Old Relations.  What makes it an especially interesting story for me was observing how I felt on the few occasions where I had the good fortune to get back in touch with a friend of years past.  You would think it would be a wonderful and energizing experience, but often it’s not.  Often, both of you have changed and neither really can relate to the other any longer, which makes for this kind of awkward longing to go back to the time when you were close friends.  The moral to the story folks?  You can’t go back.  We grow and change every day.  Let it go and move on.  Remember and cherish the experiences you once had and open your self up to new ones everyday.

-Mark

The First Date

The Time We Knew

The Girl That I Adore

Creepers

Machine Maker

On The Thin Edge Of Insanity

Just To Tell Her

The Brighter Side

Mimes On Rollercoasters™ is a United States based, independent music recording group, founded by Mark Ruester. We write and record "Album Rock", but often publish one Single at a time.

Our music has been described as "Prog Rock", "Space Rock", "Alternative", "Indie" and by some more perceptive folks, "Classic Style Melodic Progressive Rock". We were heavily influenced by Jethro Tull, Yes, The Moody Blues, and frankly just about every band who churned out an album between 1967 to the present. Give us a listen. We hope you enjoy what you hear.

Both CDs and downloads are available for purchase at all of the usual retailers and in our official store on the web.  We hope you will help support us by making a purchase.

Mimes On Rollercoasters™

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