I’m embarrassed to say that I had no idea who Mark Mallman was, but that’s the nice thing about “best of” albums. The hardcore fans get a compilation of some of their artists favorite tunes and then those that are unfamiliar get a chance to listen to that artist’s finest material all on one disc and discover why said artist is worthy of a “best of” disc in the first place. Mark Mallman’s Loneliness in America: Best of 1998-2008 features songs spanning seven releases and 22 tours as well as one new song. 
After listening to Loneliness in America, I was kicking myself for being unaware of this Minnesota musician for so long. Track after track either had me chuckling at his hilarious and ironic lyrics, “They call me Mr. Serious. I got so many dreams,” croons Mallman before talking about his lustfulness and love of sex by singing about hotels and parking lots. Now while other songs like “Butcher’s Ballad” have seriously depressing lyrics like “I saw a rabbit get run over by a Sedan,” Mallman is called “Mr. Serious” purely out of irony.
Musically, Mallman is a brilliant pianist and perhaps that why he has earned the nickname “the fastest piano in the Midwest.” So while the effects of strings and percussion are nice, all other instruments are outdone by the brilliance of his piano. There are no tricks here: most of the songs on this album are live, so he really is playing that fast and stomping out chords all over those keys.
There’s some dull moments, sure — “God Gone Mad” really dragged as an album closer — but for the most part, this album will have you rapt in Mallman’s humor and skill. And new song “Do You Feel Like Breaking Up?” fits in just as well with all the other hits.
Now here’s the best part: Mark Mallman’s Loneliness in America: Best of 1998-2008 is available for free download. So don’t miss out and be sure to give this a listen.
Tracklisting:
01. Do You Feel Like Breaking Up?
02. Knockout on 22nd St.
03. True Love
04. Butcher’s Ballad
05. Death Wish
06. Hardcore Romantics
07. Inside the Castle
08. We Only Have Each Other in the Night
09. Mother Made Me Do It
10. God Gone Mad
Mark Mallman: website | myspace | download Loneliness in America
Written by: Bethany
