one of the best kept secrets in music for the better part of a decade
“Mark Lesseraux has been one of the best kept secrets in music for the better part of a decade. An outstanding singer, lyricist and musician, Mark’s off-kilter blend of pop, rock, blues and everything in between has made him a mainstay on the New York independent music scene. His latest CD, Transmissions (2003-2012) is unique in that half the album is a collection of songs/singles that he’s put out of the last few years as a solo artist, even though he’s never really made an official solo album. The other half features highlights from the band that he fronts, The Citizens. It has something for everyone: Lennonesque pop (‘Everyone Here Is Going To Die’), blistering power pop (‘Piggy Went’), social commentary (the Occupy Wall Street anthem ‘Occupy’), historical reinvention (‘September 30th, 1955, and ‘Guiseppe Desa’s Blues’) and a startling ode to Ol’ Blue Eyes (‘I’m Frank Sinatra). Transmissions is a perfect entry in the brilliant mind of Mark Lesseraux.”
one of the year’s best (Copy)
“…Mark Lesseraux & The Citizens have been making amazingly diverse and musically enriched albums for nearly 20 years. Their latest album finds the singer-songwriter still at the top of his game, effortlessly shifting from Nilsson/Beatlesque power pop and ballads; falsetto laced Prince dance tracks, sweeping space rock; and mid-tempo ballads that would make Billy Joel proud. It takes a special kind of talent to create songs referencing Danny Torrence from The Shining, Halliburton, drones and former sitcom star Valerie Harper, make it work, and have it look effortless at the same time. In short, the album is a dynamic, cerebral approach to rock and pop that demands repeat listens. One of the year’s best. Not 12 by Mark Lesseraux & The Citizens is available now through Bandcamp and all major streaming services.”
a sort-of-thesis on the concepts of music & dance
“…Brooklyn-based Mark Lesseraux and his covers album Get Your Back Up Off the Wall is a sort-of-thesis on the very concepts of music and dance. While not every song will make you dance, each one will make you think about dancing. Using a combination of folk, rock, pop, and ambient sounds, Lesseraux creates a mostly non-dance dance album. We had a chance to talk with him recently about his selections.”