Track listing: Infinity Smile, National Throat, Words vs World, That Kind of Boxer, Black Marker Instead
Richmond, Virginia native Mark Witt has released his first new music in 15 years! Following a hiatus filled with life, work, travel and the other aspects of life that tend to pull us away from our artistic endeavors, Witt got to work. He assembled some recording gear, enlisted the talents of Dan-O Deckleman to mix and master, and set off to record Infinity Smile. The 5-song EP has a retro Indie/Alt appeal, drawing together influences like R.E.M. with a more Alt/edgy vibe that epitomizes Witt's style.
Infinity Smile's title track hearkens to the driving backbeat of Love and Rockets' "So Alive" but replaces the synths of their underground New Wave-y essence with a powerful distorted guitar a la early White Stripes. "National Throat" comes through the speakers with a more modern Alt sound--something that would slide seamlessly into a SiriusXM Alt Nation playlist.
The electronic soundscape of "That Kind of Boxer" takes a bit of a left turn, a much more synth/loop-infused NIN precursor than the rest of the record. But lyrically and vocally, Witt comes across with more of directive tone...leading the fan-minions through the trancelike state of the song. By the time you reach "Black Marker Instead," the brash beginning, deliberate middle, and synthtastic end has slowed a bit for the EP's conclusion. The song brings out more of Witt's Jeff Tweedy influence with its acoustic guitar, a slow-swaying strums and plaintive vocal.
All in all Infinity Smile is an enjoyable return to the scene for Mark Witt. It rocks, it dances & trances, and then lets us off the Witt train with a poignant acoustic number. Take some time to visit https://www.markwittmusic.com/ and follow Mark across his socials and streaming platforms. With this EP under his belt and a studio at the ready, you can expect more from Mark Witt sooner than later.