Mark Kozelek is one of the important musicians and song writers to me. Period. He writes some of the most heartfelt, bleak, depressing yet undeniably honest and human songs ever to grace my ears. He holds the throne of my favorite vocalist in this style, without question. You either worship or hate this man, there is no “he’s okay”. Which is why I am stirring in absolute frustration and anger that I was not able to see him perform this past weekend. I’ve had several friends who are also Kozelek devotees e-mailing me telling me how it was “one of the most heartfelt shows” they have ever seen. Damn you! I just didn’t think tickets would sell out two weeks ahead of the show. I hope I have another chance someday, because I have an extremely special place in my musical heart for his music.

Mark Kozelek was (or is..) one of the main forces behind the utterly brilliant Red House Painters (be sure they’ll be featured in the future). I’ll try and spare you the history on this Northern Californian act as I want to save it for that post. However, it must be said that Red House Painters have one of the strongest cult followings of any “indie” (meaning not major label) band in recent times. You absolutely cannot deny the almost unbearably honest sadness that was the groups focus.

In 2000, Mark Kozelek decided to release a solo album. Since Kozelek was the vocalist, guitarist and main song writer for Red House Painters, it was not a surprise that the album sounded much like the band. The album was entitled “Rock n Roll Singer” and shockingly contained no less than three AC/DC covers. I can assure you that you have never heard AC/DC sound quite so down as this. Also included was a John Denver cover (Around and Around) and only three original tunes. One of these originals was a song entitled “Ruth Marie”. In my opinion, this song is the shining highlight of any of his solo albums (two more were to follow) and would certainly contend as a favorite Red House Painters song, if it were one. “Ruth Marie” is the most beautiful song about aging and dying I’ve ever heard. Specifically, it is a song about a mother aging and going through all the painful and sad events we all must experience as death draws closer. It is a song sung from the mothers (”Ruth Marie”) perspective, with a focus on the most precious thing she will leave behind — her daughters. If this is sounding sappy and too much for you, just move on. Mark Kozelek is not for you. If you are in touch enough with reality to realize this is something every human has or will go through at some point in life.. and are daring enough to sink into this song and get a taste of it, then give it a try. It’s true, not everyone wants to think about death, dying, aging. I don’t particularly want to think about it all the time either. But there is something beautiful with the natural cycle of life and being so honest with yourself it hurts.

Ruth Marie (Download)
Mark Kozelek (Artist)
Purchase CD