Charlie Mars
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Charlie Mars

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"Rolling Stone"

On Charlie Mars' Major-Label debut, the Mississippi songsmith crafts the kind of earnest pop that may earn him some Coldplay fans. "Charlie Mars" combines Mars' intimate musings with a widescreen, radio-friendly sheen. Themes of struggle and hope abound on tracks such as "Try So Hard" and the standout "Close To Home." In the small-town nostalgia of "Bay Springs Road," Mars recalls the rock heroes of his youth as he sings,"And it makes me feel like I'm eighteen again/In my car with my friends/Singing,"The grass is green, the girls are pretty/The kids are alright in Mississippi." The only real thing Mars shares with Guns n' Roses or the Who is a knack for hooks, and the hooks here have real barbs: They tug at you and just might draw some blood. David Swanson/Rolling Stone Magazine - Rolling Stone


"American Songwriter"

American Songwriter Review

There's something about the affected laments of young Southern singer/songwriters that seems to ring more true than those of their more Northern counterparts. Charlie Mars is the latest, hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, where he spent years making music that never made it beyond the state's borders. His major label debut has such depth - as for punch and hook - that it feels like a greatest hits collection. With the help of pristine production, Mars crafts songs that go for the big bridges: coupling, oooing, ahhhing and elongated words with a straightforward pop-rock aesthetic, they have an accessibility and integrity in the same sense that Tom Petty's work does. Whether it's the old time tales of "Gather The Horses" and "Captain, Captain," the love woes of "Simple Things" and "One Horse Town" or the youthful reminiscence of "Bay Spring Road," Mars doesn't reach for lyrical content beyond his years and experience. While this polished effort is an impressive debut, I think Mars will only get better with wear. - Review


"All Music"

Review by Jason MacNeil

An album that starts off as much like Bruce Springsteen as it does Welsh group Stereophonics, Charlie Mars likes to mix a bit of Southern rock with polished, radio-friendly pop/rock. "Gather the Horses" is such an example as the harmonies soar in the vein of the Verve. A rather melodic, orchestral conclusion doesn't diminish the overall result. "Simple Things" keeps the momentum going as Mars has that aura surrounding his voice that Bono often does when executing a ballad. "Close to Home" separates itself with more of a roots pop tune resembling Counting Crows, Matchbox Twenty, or Train. The somber pop melodies are apparent on the majestic "White Out," an experiment between the arrangements of Coldplay and the dreamy ethereal touches of Radiohead. This anthem-like milieu continues on the lush and slow-building "When the Sun Goes Down." When the singer goes in different directions, he's more than able to carry the songs effortlessly, particularly on the infectious "Try So Hard," with help from guitarist and producer Rick Beato. The only song that doesn't quite live up to expectations is the mid-tempo "One Horse Town," which sounds like Steve Earle if he bowed down to Music Row. One sleeper has to be the singer/songwriter style of "Bay Springs Road" and "How Could You," the latter a tune yearning to be covered by Jason Mraz, perhaps. A fine debut by a finer musician with enough chops to seal this dea - Review


"Relix"

Charlie Mars' V2 records debut is, in all honesty, a stellar melting pot of sounds that somehow pulls of the soaring melodies of U2, the intelligence and introspection of Coldplay, and everyday, souther-charmed vocals to deliver a fine "beginning-to-end" record. Mars has been kicking around Oxford, Mississippi (and the college circuit in general) for nearly ten years, releasing independent albums that have gone basically unnoticed. Those humble experiences shine through on this recording. The album exudes Brit-rock influence throughout- in a good way-and Mars seems very at ease devolping his songwriting approach around this production. Doublas Waterman - Relix


"New York Post"

It's the humidity, not the heat, that charges the atmosphere of Charlie Mars' major label debut. The 29 year old Mississippian writes songs that sweat with passion about loving and losing. Every song is a tighht package with a story as its foundation, contructed with poetic lyrics and melodies that have the simple lines of traditional country ballads. He sings with a hint of twang that dovetails with the acoustic guitar and occasional strings. Mars is the kind of artist you'll have a difficult time finding a large, mass-market audience, but those he affects will be devoted to him. - New York Post


Discography

Like A Bird, Like A Plane (2008)
Charlie Mars (2004)
Charlie Mars EP (2003)
The End of Romance (1999)
Born & Razed (1997)
Broken Arrow (1996)

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Bio

Made some Americana influenced independent albums. Sold a bunch of copies. Played all over the Southeast. Moved to Athens. Got drunk. Did drugs. Had a blast. Had a motorcycle accident. Went to rehab. Got out. Had nothing. Moved home to Mississippi. Won a bunch of money gambling. Made a record. Got signed to V2 records. Put out a record. Toured all over the world. Opened for REM and a bunch of other musical people. Rolling Stone magazine said the record might “draw some blood.” Made a killer video nobody saw. Started to feel more left of the dial. Label folded. Disappeared. Wrote songs. Had dance parties. Changed sound. Made a record in Austin with Billy Harvey and smoking ass band. 'Like A Bird, Like A Plane' is the title. “If there’s a club for people like me, I’m not in it,” says Charlie. The record is not like all the rest. Charlie loves the album so much he doesn't want to talk about it.

“I saw this beautiful sunset once in Wyoming. I kept trying to explain to everyone how beautiful it was…and every time I did…the sunset became less potent in my mind, and nobody was any closer to understanding how beautiful it was” - Charlie Mars