Album Review: Mile Marker Zero – Coming of Age
Listeners who luxuriate in the heartbreakingly fragile, melancholy moments within Steven Wilson’s catalog – songs like “The Raven Refused to Sing” – have something new they should hear. Even though Mile Marker Zero is an American group – from Connecticut – their sound has all of the hallmarks of classic-meets-modern progressive rock with a strong melodic foundation.
But that’s just the start. There’s plenty of power in the group’s songs as heard on their latest, Coming of Age. Vocalist Dave Alley has a voice that soars, full of expression and finesse. “A Place in Time” is a brief opener, but it establishes a mood. From there it’s thundering, mathematical execution of sharp prog hooks on “Best is Yet to Come.” But just when you think the song is going to explore angular, jagged soundscapes, the arrangement switches to a crowd-pleasing, handclap-y feel. Hints of post-Neal Morse Spock’s Beard can be heard.
John Tuohy’s lead guitar lines are lean and muscular, while his rhythm work is finely textured and energetic; depending on what’s he’s doing at a given moment, he sounds like two completely different (and superb) players. The rhythm section of Doug Alley (drums) and bassist Jaco Lindito is always on point, laying down a rock solid foundation yet expressing nuance and originality.
Keyboardist Mark Focarile occupies a spot in the group not unlike Richard Barbieri in Porcupine Tree. It’s easy to overlook just how important he is to the overall sounds and feel, because his playing isn’t spotlighted in the way that the other players’ work is. He does take a tasty solo on “Towns to Grow Up In,” and a couple of superb breaks on “Heavy Days.”
The songs are well-crafted and memorable. The playing is top-notch. The arrangements are inventive, never shy and always in service of the songs. Melodic progressive rock, American variant, is alive and well in the form of Mile Marker Zero.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.