The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Thursday February 12, 2015
Mark Mallman with a classic love song as #LoveWeek rolls on.
The warmth of love
“Love Look at You” – Mark Mallman
From the 2002 album The Red Bedroom
Look at you, dear
It’s clear
We’re gonna shift it back in gear
‘Cuz everyone knows
What you won’t expose
Look at your face
Look at your clothes
The feeling will get to you
Show what you are made of
What you afraid of?
Love look at you
Each of Minnesota pop/rock hero Mark Mallman’s albums have their own specific feel. 2002’s The Red Bedroom is his warmest in terms of production and the gentleness of the material (even when it rocks, which it often does).
“Love Look at You” proves why Mallman is a deceptively brilliant songwriter, something he sometimes doesn’t get enough credit for. The chords and melody, especially the descending progression in the chorus, feel both familiar and unique. Speaking of the chorus, the song boasts one of the first (and best) of his many sublime sing-alongs.
The warmth of the production and arrangement, which includes clear piano with subtle acoustic guitar underneath and slightly distorted electric parts, fits the universal theme of the lyric. Love isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes it’s apparent to everyone, other times it takes even the people feeling it by surprise. It can be “the secret that everyone knows” even if fear can get in the way of confronting it.
Many of Mallman’s best songs deal with one or another aspect of love. Epic “True Love” personally explores the concept itself, “At Midnight” the feeling of abandonment, “To Speak of the Animal” its lingering effects, and many others. The energy, universality, and feel of “Love Look at You” puts it among his all-time classics. And most fun to sing along with at shows.
I'm your #1 man
Surf rock, tex mex, and epic pop/rock collide in this explosive three minute love song. Has to be heard to be believed.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He is also a contributor for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He is also a contributor for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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