With the instrumentation of  “mosquito”, “wizard wind”, “zoner”, and “gnarl” right beside your standard guitar, keyboard, and drums, how could this album be anything short of magical?  The sound may be a little raw to those used to a lot of production, but if experimental noise-rock is your groove then here is another album for you!  In Magik Markers latest album,  Balf Quarry, seemingly clashing noise blends together into bewitching, eerie ballads.  Sometimes the minimal range of notes conjures up the feeling of hearing music underwater, until an occasional thrashing jump knocks you right back on land.

I typically hate comparisons in album reviews, but sometimes they are necessary in creating a sound for the reader.   I cannot hear Balf Quarry without thinking that (depending on the track) Elisa, the main vocalist, sounds like a sped up or slow motion Kim Gordon.  The lyrics are dark and dreary, alluding to the past as they question themselves.   They speak of luck and loss, jerks and friends, and shameful experience in America.  Though the lyrics are overall despairing and gloomy, when combined with the message of the instrumentation, there is a distant beauty that will take you through an enchanting musical experience at a basement show.

The end of the album really tied together the artistry of the listening process for me. The last song, Shells is the perfect close to the album.  It is nearly 10 minutes of a folky ballad (as “folky” as abstract-grungy-noise-punk can be) that really completes the allure of Magik Markers’ sound.  Balf Quarry is entirely satisfying and definately worth a listen or two.