The Mark Inside

Whitby, ON’s the Mark Inside should put their hometown on the map with their debut album, Static/Crash. Successfully mixing a concoction that includes soulful garage rock and fuzzy indie rock, the quartet has a distinct knack for angular hooks. Thankfully, they don’t saturate the album with a lot of garage numbers, because their gift is in writing pop songs more in the vein of acts like Guided By Voices and Dinosaur Jr. Chris Levoir’s vocals have the right amount of sensitivity and angst to make him a versatile lead singer. The band hits the nail on the head with the perfect come down that is "Life On The Atlas,” which recalls the amiable side of Bob Pollard’s songwriting genius. "The Deeper I Go” is equally as impressive, teasing the listener with a genteel opening, only to explode 90 seconds in, resulting in the album’s most riveting track. For most of Static/Crash, they sound like soul-mates of Eastern Lane, a promising, up-and-coming UK band signed to Rough Trade. Those wishing it was 1994 all over again should not overlook the Mark Inside.