Having wisely decided to consign My Little Pony (the band's previous name) to room 101 following the departure of guitarist Simen Herning, the re-invented quartet that represent Making Marks have released their 'debut' album 'A Thousand Half-Truths'. The Norwegian foursome, named after MLP's second album, of Ola, Marie, Nina and Jorgen make light and breezy pop songs full of delightful melodies and rich harmonies. The close male/female vocal harmonies are beautifully balanced throughout the album as tales of long distance love, longing and the curiosities of life are imparted often with a wry twist or slightly cynical take. Ola says, "I think we've finally found a way to marry our folky twang with our more upbeat poppiness. You'll find the folk bits in our vocals and some of the guitar parts, while the rest of the soundscape is very pop oriented."
The jangly guitar pop played out through the unreciprocated intimacy of 'Bruises', and then 'Barcodes', sets the album off to a great start as we are transported through Oslo in search, or in trepidation, of love. The latter's keyboard flourish nicely lifts the song towards the end before 'Uten En Trad', the only vocal on the album sung in the band's native Norwegian. 'Forgive And Forget' follows, picking up the beat and providing a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. The track is infused with a distinctive Rembrandts' 'Friends' theme and even borrows the guitar riff as it bounces along.
The absurdities of spin classes are captured brilliantly on 'Like Spinning', where the pace slows to very effectively showcase the well-paired vocal harmonisation, akin here to New Yorkers Girlyman. 'Lemon Sheets' lightens the mood with a lovely light love song tinged with regret and apology, but with a very pleasant air and nicely phrased lyrical quality: "Come and see me, I'm not so far away, just a bus and a train and a plane and another train from Harringay."
Continue reading: Making Marks - A Thousand Half-Truths Album Review
