Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How’s your week going so far?
Today we’re going to delve into a project from the Ohio-based musician, Mark Allen Scott. A project that is still less than three years old and also under the radar for many but objectively deserves more spotlight. Currently in Columbus, Ohio but Scott was raised 45 minutes away in the small southern Ohio city of Chillicothe. What fascinating history the city and area surrounding it has, a history that US textbooks don’t talk enough about. From 100 BCE to 500 CE (aka 100 BC to 500 AD), the area along the Scioto River flourished as the center of a trade network for native communities and cultures. It’s now referred to as the Hopewell culture. Why Hopewell? Named after the landowner Mordecai Hopewell who at that time owned the land mounds were found on. For those interested in learning more, one good starting point is here.
Talking about his background and influence Scott notes, “I want to wear where I’m from and my family on my sleeve. I’m proud of the twangy influence in my music from corny country songs I’d hear on the bus rides to school. I feel like I’m reclaiming where I come from and making it my own.”
Villagerrr has released the following albums, Come Down (2021), Something or Somewhere Else EP (2022), OHIOAN (2022), brain pain (2022), Like Leaves (2022), and Sounds – Cantuckee (2023). And recently on Friday March 22nd, villagerrr has the support of LA based (with Midwest roots) label Darling Records to release the bands newest album for your listening pleasure, Tear Your Heart Out.
Giving credit where it’s due, Tear Your Heart Out album credits:
- Merce Lemon: vocals on “Neverrr Everrr”
- Boone Patrello: sang vocals on “See” and “Runnin’ Round,” played pedal slide guitar, and synth on “Runnin’ Round” and slide guitar on “See,” and “Honesty”
- Dutch Patrello: played cello on “See”
- Colton Hamilton: played guitar on “Car Heart”
- Zayn Dweik: played drums on “Runnin’ Round”, “River Ain’t Safe” and arranged “River Ain’t Safe”
- Cam Garshon: sang vocals on “Honesty”
- Mark Allen Scott: played everything else.
- Syd Simonitis: Album Artwork
And now some hype for your ears!
The amusing, relatable small town Midwestern vibes in the video for “Neverrr Everrr”:
(All credits and rights to Darling Recordings and villagerrr)
Some more Midwest vibes in this video for the song “See”:
(All credits and rights to Darling Recordings and villagerrr)
More Midwest scenes over lyrics about toxicity in the video for “Tear Your Heart Out”:
(All credits and rights to Darling Recordings and villagerrr)
Overall, Tear Your Heart Out is a lovely work of art. It is delightfully Midwestern and if you’re from the region or spent time here, you’ll find it comforting and relatable in ways. Even if you’ve spent any amount of time in a rural setting, you’ll find common ground. The melodies are melancholy but are not completely downtrodden or sad bastardy per se. I’m reminded of other great midwestern bands of the 90s, 00’s and 10’s in the best ways. Those bands all did their own thing with a similar backdrop and some shared experiences growing up. That being said, Scott could write about anywhere. He’s just that talented of a songwriter. I loved the Merce Lemon, Mark Scott vocal pairings. I would love to see more in the future! The musicians that comprise the band played fantastically throughout the album.
The opening song, “Neverrr Everrr (feat. Merce Lemon)” features an exquisite pairing of vocals from Scott and Merce Lemon. I hope they record more music together in the future. The vocals standout throughout the song but especially on the refrains. The melody is a perfect mix of drums and guitar. The lyrics are based in the present, looking at the past coping with the trauma inflicted, and trying to get accountability for said actions while trying to move towards a hopeful future. It’s an outstanding song to start an album. Hopefully the song was cathartic to write and perform.
“See” kicks off strong with a piano beat that is prominent throughout the song. There are also lovely bits of cello intertwined in a melody that propels forward. The lyrics combine longing with the reality that those needs will never be met.
The titular “Tear Your Heart Out” is another gem to listen to. The lyrics are rich with sarcasm and contempt about a toxic ‘good ole boy.’ The melody is tight with drums and some jangly guitar. Great guitar solo that starts nearly halfway through the song. When the melody is paired with Scott’s vocals and more softly delivered refrains it really sets the tone and then drives the message home.
“Runnin’ Round” starts off with some acoustic guitar strumming. Followed by some incredible pedal steel notes and synth. The notes are ghastly at times, shimmery at others. The sound works with the rest of the melody and Scott’s vocal tone. The lyrics tell of someone downtrodden and also misplaced in more ways than one.
“Car Heart” tells of disdain for another local character that one comes across in Midwestern life. One that’s perhaps too verbose and never truly finds their own way. In my mind, there’s enough overlap that it could be the same character from “Tear Your Heart Out.” Scott uses several refrains to really drive home the frustration. The melody really rocks out, guitars and drums and also allows quiet moments for Scott to vocalize, something the band has perfected by this point.
“Barn Burnerrr” adds a little more twang than the previous few songs. The melody is more guitar focused on this song as well. The guitars shimmer. The lyrics tell of revisiting a small town (from a larger city) trying to reconnect but accepting the awkwardness that goes with it, while also accepting some futility of that existence in comparison to the new one. Goodbye is a commonly used word.
The lyrics within “Cry On” tell of someone harnessing their own emotions and how to properly communicate them. There’s still work to be done, but some progress has been made and an offering of support is made towards the end of the song. The melody a top those lyrics is led by some twangy, jangly guitars and a steady drumbeat.
The next song “Low” begins with some excellent fuzzy guitar noise that is repeated during the refrain. The guitars pair well with the synth production beat. The lyrics are forlorn but realistic, tackling drug addiction.
The mood changes to a bit more upbeat during “Come Right Back,” despite the lyrics being of empty promises repeatedly expressed. Well done villagerrr. The melody features a prominent banjo and guitar on top of Scott’s bittersweetly delivered vocals.
In “Honesty” the lyrics speak of shared toxicity between two parties. They seem to enable the worst parts about each other. Two thirds into the song there is a beautiful slide guitar by Boone Patrello that stands out. As do the complimentary vocals from Cam Garshon.
“River Ain’t Safe” is a homage to the Scioto River in a figurative sense while truly being about a flawed, failed relationship with a large amount of longing. The arrangement including the drums by Zayn Dweik is well done, kudos. It is a fabulous melody.
Tear Your Heart Out gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s an excellent release through and through. I would slide it in the upper echelon of our 4.5 range for 2024 releases. Should stay there at years end. The melodies, the lyrics, the musical instrumentation and vocal choices are all superb. The songwriting and composition represent massive growth from Scott and the band. I’m looking forward to the next album. Scott could write outstanding songs from any setting. Worth adding to your collection on any format. I’m hopeful vinyl is released at some point as I want to get lost in the sauce while listening to this one.
Tear Your Heart Out Track listing (song length)
- Neverrr Everrr (3:41)
- See (2:25)
- Tear Your Heart Out (4:18)
- Runnin’ Round (4:31)
- Car Heart (5:10)
- Barn Burnerrr (5:34)
- Cry On (4:22)
- Low (4:19)
- Come Right Back (4:20)
- Honesty (2:01)
- River Ain’t Safe (5:04)
Total runtime: 45:45
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
The best place to find more about villagerrr is their awesome Bandcamp site. That page is linked right here!
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
