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Draw the Line
Marion Square
(MARION SQUARE PARTNERS, LLC)
Sweet Siren
Louisville natives Marion Square offer up one hell of a debut with Draw the Line; establishing early on that their sound is … no sound in particular. They weave through many genres with confidence and ease while maintaining indie-rock credibility. And if voices carry, then those starving children in Africa that we hear so much about must be able to hear McCall Cruse singing from her shower.
“Filigree” leads off with a punchy guitar riff that immediately brings Prince’s “Kiss” to mind; but the song is instantaneously cooled by a Coltrane-esque saxophone line that provides a steady and consistent thread through to the coda. The stripped-down elegance of “Waltz” allows Cruse to show off her emotional range and vocal prowess without falling back on over-the-top flourishes. And “Shaken” sounds like a lost little gem that they happened to borrow from the U2 canon. There is also an ethereal satisfaction when a bitter and damaged Cruse sings to an ex-lover: “You’re a stage without a show.”
With Draw the Line, the self-proclaimed Radiohead worshippers shouldn’t be the least bit self-conscious about bowing before Thom & Co. to offer up these hymns from their own book. —Brent Owen - Leo Weekly
Draw the Line
Marion Square
(MARION SQUARE PARTNERS, LLC)
Sweet Siren
Louisville natives Marion Square offer up one hell of a debut with Draw the Line; establishing early on that their sound is … no sound in particular. They weave through many genres with confidence and ease while maintaining indie-rock credibility. And if voices carry, then those starving children in Africa that we hear so much about must be able to hear McCall Cruse singing from her shower.
“Filigree” leads off with a punchy guitar riff that immediately brings Prince’s “Kiss” to mind; but the song is instantaneously cooled by a Coltrane-esque saxophone line that provides a steady and consistent thread through to the coda. The stripped-down elegance of “Waltz” allows Cruse to show off her emotional range and vocal prowess without falling back on over-the-top flourishes. And “Shaken” sounds like a lost little gem that they happened to borrow from the U2 canon. There is also an ethereal satisfaction when a bitter and damaged Cruse sings to an ex-lover: “You’re a stage without a show.”
With Draw the Line, the self-proclaimed Radiohead worshippers shouldn’t be the least bit self-conscious about bowing before Thom & Co. to offer up these hymns from their own book. —Brent Owen - Leo Weekly
Sarah Brown
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Entertainment
By Sarah Brown
What do you get out of music with influences like Incubus, Imogen Heap, and John Mayer? If you guessed Marion Square, you guessed right.
These are just a few artists of influence that inspired Marion Square to get started with their atmospheric and mellow, but at times intense, melodic sound. Their approach to music recalls the seventies and have been called the new "Fleetwood Mac". Also, if you like Alanis Morissette and Radiohead, then you will really enjoy Marion Square - ready to break out of their shell and onto a world stage.
Marion Square is made up of four individuals from Louisville, Kentucky who have been dedicated to their music for the last few years.
McCall Cruse, 20, leads the band with vocals so strong that she is genuinely a rock star for both guys and gals. Bren Wilkinson, also 20, plays guitar, really lighting up the atmosphere. The final two members of the band, Brian Goodwin and Ian Wilmot, also in their 20's, light up the stage with Goodwin's acoustic guitar playing and Wilmot's laid-back beat of the drums.
Their musical talents float on the stage, with Wilmot also playing guitar and Goodwin and Cruse surprising us with their piano skills.
The indie sound of Marion Square has been in production since early January and is nearing full length completion of their first album.
A little of this magic comes from the help of producer Todd Smith (who has worked with Smash Mouth) and co-producer Dan Weigleb.
The band has been making appearances all over Louisville and recently made a deal with Label X, further developing their career.
They have a bright future with all the talent that they possess. With that, they will leave you wondering how a group of their age can express their music in such a refined way. No gimmicks, no pressure, just four talented people making their music - constantly insisting that there is a place here for everyone to hear them.
You can catch some of their performances at Headliners at 8 p.m., dates set for Feb. 15 and 23. Some of their hit songs, "Fireworks", "Shaken" and "Draw the Line," will have the crowd in excitement from wall to wall.
If you'd like to hear their sound before the show, check out their Myspace page (www.myspace.com/marionsquaremusic) or their website - www.marionsquaremusic.com . - The Concord
Sarah Brown
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: Entertainment
By Sarah Brown
What do you get out of music with influences like Incubus, Imogen Heap, and John Mayer? If you guessed Marion Square, you guessed right.
These are just a few artists of influence that inspired Marion Square to get started with their atmospheric and mellow, but at times intense, melodic sound. Their approach to music recalls the seventies and have been called the new "Fleetwood Mac". Also, if you like Alanis Morissette and Radiohead, then you will really enjoy Marion Square - ready to break out of their shell and onto a world stage.
Marion Square is made up of four individuals from Louisville, Kentucky who have been dedicated to their music for the last few years.
McCall Cruse, 20, leads the band with vocals so strong that she is genuinely a rock star for both guys and gals. Bren Wilkinson, also 20, plays guitar, really lighting up the atmosphere. The final two members of the band, Brian Goodwin and Ian Wilmot, also in their 20's, light up the stage with Goodwin's acoustic guitar playing and Wilmot's laid-back beat of the drums.
Their musical talents float on the stage, with Wilmot also playing guitar and Goodwin and Cruse surprising us with their piano skills.
The indie sound of Marion Square has been in production since early January and is nearing full length completion of their first album.
A little of this magic comes from the help of producer Todd Smith (who has worked with Smash Mouth) and co-producer Dan Weigleb.
The band has been making appearances all over Louisville and recently made a deal with Label X, further developing their career.
They have a bright future with all the talent that they possess. With that, they will leave you wondering how a group of their age can express their music in such a refined way. No gimmicks, no pressure, just four talented people making their music - constantly insisting that there is a place here for everyone to hear them.
You can catch some of their performances at Headliners at 8 p.m., dates set for Feb. 15 and 23. Some of their hit songs, "Fireworks", "Shaken" and "Draw the Line," will have the crowd in excitement from wall to wall.
If you'd like to hear their sound before the show, check out their Myspace page (www.myspace.com/marionsquaremusic) or their website - www.marionsquaremusic.com . - The Concord
Friday, July 04, 2008
Marion Square - Fireworks
“I can’t make you love me, you can’t make me leave. I won’t fight your freedom, maybe you could leave.” This is too easy a shot, so I’ll try not to stay political too long, but the title of the song, our celebration of our independence while stealing the independence of others, well, like I said, it’s an easy shot. And I won’t apologize, because I am truly feeling all these things politically. But the song, luckily, is much better than all that. The narrator goes on to tell us that no matter how this all eventually goes down, whether he leaves or stays, she’ll still miss him. A tender song, with a melody to fit the words. The fireworks in this song is a symbol for “you and all your glory, me and my misery.” A string sextet works in tandem with a guitar to pull our emotions all the way to the dance floor and express our dreams and doubts with whatever relationship we are struggling with at the moment. Nice work. I have to shout out Draw The Line. I truly never thought I’d be shouting out a song that someone starts by whistling off-key. But, it catches me, and is a thankfully short intro to some good solo guitar work, and an interesting story. “I know why things got strange that day.”
Posted by Eartaste - Eartaste
Friday, July 04, 2008
Marion Square - Fireworks
“I can’t make you love me, you can’t make me leave. I won’t fight your freedom, maybe you could leave.” This is too easy a shot, so I’ll try not to stay political too long, but the title of the song, our celebration of our independence while stealing the independence of others, well, like I said, it’s an easy shot. And I won’t apologize, because I am truly feeling all these things politically. But the song, luckily, is much better than all that. The narrator goes on to tell us that no matter how this all eventually goes down, whether he leaves or stays, she’ll still miss him. A tender song, with a melody to fit the words. The fireworks in this song is a symbol for “you and all your glory, me and my misery.” A string sextet works in tandem with a guitar to pull our emotions all the way to the dance floor and express our dreams and doubts with whatever relationship we are struggling with at the moment. Nice work. I have to shout out Draw The Line. I truly never thought I’d be shouting out a song that someone starts by whistling off-key. But, it catches me, and is a thankfully short intro to some good solo guitar work, and an interesting story. “I know why things got strange that day.”
Posted by Eartaste - Eartaste
Marion Square- Draw the Line
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
This band out of Louisville Kentucky is, McCall Cruse (vocals, piano), Brian Goodwin (guitar, piano, electronics), Ian Willmot (drums, guitar, vocals) , Brent Wilkinson (lead guitar), and John Gettlefinger (bass, vocals, fluglehorn).
Even though the bands only been around for a few years, and the members are all in their early 20’s, Marion Square’s music has a maturity found in their music.
Draw the Line is the bands debut release, on it you’ll find a collection of songs that while changing in tempo and intensity are built upon a melodic base.
The songs are lead by female band vocalist McCall Cruse. Her vocals have a slightly higher then normal pitch to them that fits well with the song lyrics that deal a lot with love related issues.
Besides the normal guitar and drum parts the band isn’t afraid to experiment a little bit with their sound by adding in electronic sounds and the occasional turntable scratching.
I liked what I heard from Marion Square on Draw the Line and think that you will also. Here’s the best part if you head over to the band’s web site you can download either individual tracks or the entire release. Best of all did I mention- IT’S FREE! All the band asks is that you sign up for their fan list while there.
- C.W.'s Place
Marion Square- Draw the Line
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
This band out of Louisville Kentucky is, McCall Cruse (vocals, piano), Brian Goodwin (guitar, piano, electronics), Ian Willmot (drums, guitar, vocals) , Brent Wilkinson (lead guitar), and John Gettlefinger (bass, vocals, fluglehorn).
Even though the bands only been around for a few years, and the members are all in their early 20’s, Marion Square’s music has a maturity found in their music.
Draw the Line is the bands debut release, on it you’ll find a collection of songs that while changing in tempo and intensity are built upon a melodic base.
The songs are lead by female band vocalist McCall Cruse. Her vocals have a slightly higher then normal pitch to them that fits well with the song lyrics that deal a lot with love related issues.
Besides the normal guitar and drum parts the band isn’t afraid to experiment a little bit with their sound by adding in electronic sounds and the occasional turntable scratching.
I liked what I heard from Marion Square on Draw the Line and think that you will also. Here’s the best part if you head over to the band’s web site you can download either individual tracks or the entire release. Best of all did I mention- IT’S FREE! All the band asks is that you sign up for their fan list while there.
- C.W.'s Place
Discography
DRAW THE LINE - 2008
Photos
Bio
You’ve never heard of Marion Square. They are four young musicians from Louisville, Kentucky who have been hard at work on their music for the last few years. But the time has come for Marion Square to break out of the hometown and onto the world stage. A few words to describe Marion Square: atmospheric, electroacoustic, at times mellow, other times intense, but always melodic. Their sound and approach to making music recalls the seventies. They have been called the new Fleetwood Mac. Others say Coldplay with female vocal. They worship Radiohead. McCall Cruse leads the band with a vocal that is feminine and strong, a true rock singer for both the guys and the girls. Brent Wilkinson’s guitar arrangements paint the atmosphere. Brian Goodwin is the spiritual leader and lays a foundation of acoustic guitar together with drummer Ian Willmot’s laid-back, musical beat. Marion Square is a band full of promise for the future, as all members are in their early twenties, and possess talent beyond their years. They float from instrument to instrument, with Ian now on guitar, maybe Brian or McCall on piano. Their material leaves one wondering how a group of artists so young can express a musicality so refined. The band has been performing in and around Louisville for several years, and recently entered into a relationship with Label X to further develop their career. Production is nearing completion on the first full-length album, with producer Todd Smith (Days of the New, Smashmouth, Peter Searcy) in charge, and musical mentor Dan Weigleb co- producing. A full-scale touring and promotional campaign is soon to follow. No hype, no gimmicks, no press angle. Just four young musicians making their music, quietly insistent that there is a place in the world for their voice.
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