Mark Renner - Few Traces [RVNG Intl.]

Put on the circuit only recently via RVNG Intl. is "Few Traces", a compilation album gathering formerly released, partly rare and also some previously unreleased works created by the US-based producer and painter Mark Renner.  Being released after a thirty years hiatus following his latest album "Painter's Joy" in 1988 "Few Traces" is compiling material composed in the years 1982 to 1990, incorporating both Mark Renner's love for melancholia-infused songs as well as great, instrumental experimentation with a warm, Synth edge like in the fascinating title track "Few Traces", the most amazing Cosmic excursion "The Mirror At Saint Andrews" or the intense, spine-tingling Ambient meets poetry bit "The Sun Is In His Head, A Storm In His Heart". Influenced by the likes of Ultravox, Skids, Yellow Magic Orchestra and other 80s greats it's pretty obvious that not only a few traces of their sonic vision are to be found in most of the 21 tunes on this longplay piece, as well as songs referencing New Romantic heroes like The Cure. Songwise, the most outstanding and recommended bits on this one are the raw, demo'esque "The Wild House", the instrumental AltCountry-excursion "Autumn Calls You By Name" or the luscious SynthPop romanticism of "It Might Have Been". Defo recommended for diggers, Synth lovers and 80s completists alike.

Album artwork on Instagram!