Mad Painter is a Boston area rock band formed by songwriter, singer and organ player Alex Gitlin to pay homage to the vintage sounds of rock and blues of the 1970s. The band contains veteran local musicians, bassist Kenne Highland, drummer Al Hendry, guitarist Al Naha and backing singers Julie Gee and Sharon Crumrine. They convey the pleasure and energy of bygone decades, with massive organ sounds, trippy grooves and enormous songs. They have previously gained a dedicated audience with previous music, such as the album Splashed and the single “Debt Collector.” Releasing their outstanding new album Island Poetry, they are back again with their old school flair and energetic stage appearances.
In a music world of fast trends, Island Poetry, the new album by Mad Painter is a true and honest work of art. Island Poetry’s big notion is that human life is something like a succession of little islands. Everyone has moments of dread, hope, and exhaustion on their own island, yet they are all connected by a large, shared ocean of human feelings. The band eschews simplistic party tunes in favor of sharing valuable lessons about life, courage and togetherness using vintage instruments like booming Hammond organs and electric guitars.
Debt Collector
Island Poetry begins with the lead single, “Debt Collector.” On the surface it sounds like an intense chase, but it’s actually full of stinging sarcasm and satire. The words are a slight parody of the crazy wild thoughts of an overdramatic teenager. The song humorously shows how stupid extreme selfish thinking may be, rather than take these wild thoughts seriously. The music complements this crazy energy with a quick blues-rock pace, growling Hammond organ sounds and piercing guitar riffs that give the piece plenty of attitude and humor.
Empty Bottles
The Island Poetry then goes into “Empty Bottles” a song directly inspired by the quiet struggle of the 2020 lockdowns. Back then a lot of folks felt lost, lonely and tempted to throw in the towel and drown their sorrows. But the true meaning of the song is to pick strength over despair. It reminds us that even when we feel empty within, we can hold on because there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Bright major-key guitar chords, warm organ tones, and an optimistic chorus turn a tragic circumstance into a strong hymn of optimism.
Spin Your Ventilator
As Island Poetry progresses, “Spin Your Ventilator” takes the macabre satire of the album to another level. It won’t lull you with a soft dreamy tune but rather throws you straight into the insane racket and hectic overthinking of life today. Musically it’s built on a hard-hitting, driving AC/DC style hard rock groove. Heavy guitar riffs and hammering rhythm function like a big machine, blasting away unwanted ideas and wiping out poisonous mental energy with pure rock force.
Suit of Worries
“Suit Of Worries” dives into deeper personal space, discussing the hefty mental armor humans construct to shield themselves from pain. The song tells us that the walls are built to keep the suffering out, but they frequently imprison us inside and keep out true love and friendship. The lesson is that true security is to be found in openness and honesty, not in hiding behind fear. The music employs dark, dense organ chords to evoke the heavy iron suit but slowly expands with soaring guitar solos that seem like breaking free from a heavy weight.
“Nektarized” takes the record to a joyful and distinctive late 1970s “space disco” vibe. The lyrics are brilliantly composed completely of song and album titles of the famous progressive rock band Nektar. The music is anything from serious, mixing shimmering synths, floating basslines and groovy rhythms to provide a pleasant weightless atmosphere. It makes the listener not overthink things and just have fun and enjoy the sweet side of life and music.
Inspired by a poem in Russian by the famed Soviet dissident Joseph Brodsky, translated into English by Natalia Belenkaya, “Two Horsemen” is a meditation about time and fate. The song doesn’t see the two horsemen as frightening signals of doom, but as natural elements of life running side-by-side like light and darkness, or birth and death. The message tells us to accept the changes of life with peaceful peace. The song is musically driven by an energetic interplay of organ and guitar. Atmospheric accents such as the flute contribute to a cinematic ambiance that evokes a journey through time.
The collection Island Poetry ends with the poem “I am the King,” which tackles, in deeply intimate terms, the issues of faith, human limitations, and the universe. The singer meditates on the ever-present God who created the whole cosmos, stars and oceans. Meanwhile the song wrestles with a terrifying thought: what if all this is only inside my head? This generates an extreme contradiction between being the “King of everything” vs the “King of nothing.” The music reflects this tension between cosmic force and human insignificance with strong rock riffs and dramatic breakdowns.
The album peaks with “Circle Of Hands”, a loving tribute to the iconic Uriah Heep song and tying all the themes of Island Poetry together. The tune shows that when we join hands and help each other, no person has to stay an isolated island. It makes the listener feel protected, hopeful and connected. The music rises like a spiritual ceremony, starting with calm organ sounds and building into a vast, loving chorus of voices and guitars.
Island Poetry by Mad Painter is ultimately a really creative and significant rock album. Combining honest real life stories, smart sarcasm, space-disco joy and serious philosophical problems with authentic 1970s rock sounds, the band delivers something absolutely exceptional. From the scathing wit of “Debt Collector” to the inspiring togetherness of “Circle of Hands,” Island Poetry illustrates the lasting ability of real rock music to guide, comfort and unite.
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