- Label: 'AMP Music Productions'
- Genre: 'Indie'
- Release Date: '17th October 2011'
Our Rating:
New single no 11
It wasn't so long ago that I received Mike's debut single, an unexpectedly good cover of 'Stayin' Alive' to review, and a mere matter of weeks since he bookended his debut album with the single ‘No Place Like Home. And now, hot on its heels, we have 'The Magician', the lead single for his second album. There's a definite evolution evident, but without losing sight of what Marlin's about: he's got his style and does what he does well.
'The Magician' sees Marlin's world-weary baritone nestling amidst a rolling piano and majestic strings. There's no smoke and mirrors, deception or trickery: Marlin's all about quality songwriting, but the fuller arrangement and the epic chorus is the perfect foil for his grizzly delivery. Marlin may have emerged as the Nearly Man, but if he continues in this way, he may actually get there.
