Search - Jennifer Marks :: Jennifer Marks

This Girl Deserves Some Attention

Rudy Palma | NJ | 10/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"According to her self-titled Bardic records debut, Jennifer Marks is a huge talent just screaming to be discovered. Having recently finished a successful tour opening for Cyndi Lauper, the redheaded singer/songwriter is still performing various showcase dates to promote awareness of her album. Dates for the many shows in the tri-state area can be found via her official website, www.jennifermarks.com.



A collection of 12 pop/rock songs that showcase Marks' personality as well as talent, there are as many moments of serious urgency as there are tongue-in-cheek comments on events that occur not only in her life, but in those of her listeners as well. An example of the latter leaps out at the listener in the form of the hook-laden, smile-inducing opening track and lead single "Live," a song inspired by a terrible day that began with her spilling coffee all over her laptop computer.



"Woke up this morning on the wrong side of the bed/I should have stayed in dreamland where warm and fuzzy thoughts fill my head/My breakfast of champions is a cold pizza and a cold cup of coffee and an even colder shower/I'm late for work and my boss is a jerk you know he drives me crazy but it won't change me."



Another bonafide standout on the album is "Thick," where Marks confronts someone whose mind is in desperate need of opening and needs to stop blaming all the problems of his life on those around him. Anyone who has known such a person can certainly relate.



"You could fix it but you can't admit you're wrong/Cuz your thicker than blood/Thicker than stone/I'm always talking to myself/I wanna get through/But you're a brick wall/You're so thick you don't hear at all."



For a good laugh, the disc concludes with "High School Reunion," where Marks makes a list of comments about others from her graduating class until she wonders why she even came to the reunion in the first place.



"If you wanted to prove you still had hair/I'm sorry I don't care/Hope my ambivalence doesn't disappoint you/I find myself asking why I even came/I'm choking on my answers/Then and now's the same/Why am I at my high school reunion?"



Other must-listens include the therapeutic, confessional "Walk Away", "Naked" and the edgy "Avalanche."



In short, every single track on "Jennifer Marks" is a hit; there isn't a miss among the dozen. Every track lives and breathes its own individual story. This is the kind of music that speaks for itself. If justice prevails, this music will make Jennifer Marks a huge star."

A Welcomed New Voice

Terry L. Tyson | San Clemente, CA United States | 07/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife and I happened to catch Ms. Marks when she opened for Cyndi Lauper in San Diego. We had read a bit about her clever yet insightful lyrics and pleasing voice but were also pleased to find out that her stage presence was also top-notch. Some might make the mistake of comparing her to other popular singer-songwriters, but Marks is her own woman and her music is just as unique as it is great to listen to.



We purchased this CD that evening and listened to it on the way home, both of us appreciating the fact that we had just caught a rising talent who not only entertains but lets us see a bit of who she is at the same time.



Her music is as delightful as her amazing red hair - there's a lot of layers to enjoy.



If you want to listen to someone who matters now and will continue to matter, don't miss jumping on the Marks Band Wagon. It's a ride that everyone will enjoy.

"

Delivers the goods

Terry L. Tyson | 05/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jennifer Marks delivers the goods. The tracks on this album cover a broad range of sounds, from the sultry stylings of "Window" to the infectious grooves of "Live" to the thoughtful vulnerability of "Raggedy Ann" and "Fragile." Jennifer Marks mixes up a fresh sound with her unique, slighty-skewed worldview and leaves your lips smiling and your toes tapping. "Any Other Way" and "High School Reunion" are tasty songs that you'll probably find yourself singing as you step out of the shower (if you're inclined to do that sort of thing). I highly recommend this CD."