Marcus Rezak has released his sophomore album ‘Truth in Sound,’ a virtuosic guitar-driven excursion through the realms of rock, progressive, jam, and groove-oriented music featuring Russ Lawton, Tony Markellis, and Ray Paczkowski of Trey Anastasio Band along with Kalyan Pathak on tabla and percussion.
After performing a Shred is Dead (Rezak's high-octane Grateful Dead tribute project with a rotating cast of top-call musicians) show at Nectar's in Burlington, VT in November 2019, Rezak knew his newfound musical chemistry with Russ Lawton had to escalate beyond the one-off performance. He invited Lawton and his TAB colleagues to record new material he had been writing and they enthusiastically obliged. 'Truth in Sound' was recorded at Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, VT and engineered by Ben Collette (studio owner/operator who has served as an audio engineer for Trey Anastasio and Phish since 2004). The band took the energy sparked by that initial Shred is Dead performance and leveraged it in 4 invigorating tracks with Rezak's preparation and eloquent compositions. All of the guitar tracks and mixing were done by Joe Hettinga of Third Coast Recording Company.
Rezak approached 'Truth in Sound' with a songwriter and story-telling mindset. While the album displays the same fierce jams and guitar shredding that his debut 'Gateway to the Galaxy' emitted into the universe, Rezak's focus on 'Truth in Sound' is showcasing heartfelt lyrics and musical healing to mirror his experiences since his initial release. During the challenges of COVID, he felt compelled to uplift and fill in where depression and confusion had become a part of so many people's everyday lives. In those initial lockdown months, renegade-style drive-up concerts were some of the only ways to keep music present for both musicians and music lovers alike. He saw a new purpose while observing his music keep those isolated in good company and helping release some endorphins. "The final outcome of this record truly encapsulates a time in my life, through a sound, that I hope brings healing, joy, and excitement to those with open ears," says Rezak of the new EP.
The album's single "Light of the Moon" is a true story about people of the night connecting through their love of music, celebrating cathartically in the light of the moon reveling in dance, joy, and memories. Markellis lays down a one-of-a-kind strut on the bass and Pathak’s percussion work adds an element of global music flavors with his tabla work during the solo section and expressive nuance on chimes, congas, shekere. "Borderline" is another true story about modern love and the primal connection humans can have with one another. The inspiration for the song comes from the compassion humans uncontrollably have to want to heal the unfortunate trauma of others. Rezak lays down a long and well-crafted 70s-style guitar solo over a set of extended chord progression with several key changes making for a climactic resolution to the song's finale. The solo section also features Joe Hettinga playing beautiful and delicate piano parts. "Leaving" details traveling musicians' life on the road—the feeling of being somewhere you call home and leaving to pursue your passion can be bittersweet, especially when you're just getting to become close to someone. The track is inspired by a trip to the east coast in 2019 and the feeling of separation while also being a free-floating spirit with the need to explore unforeseen roads ahead. The song features another extended psychedelic jam to cathartically heal and shed our skin again. "Glitter Pillow" is the only instrumental track on the album that is a magnum opus of progressive rock, funk, and jazz. Each collaborator shines in Rezak's guitar-driven odyssey that references back to 'Gateway to the Galaxy' with a more groove-oriented twist. The track has become a big dance party during live performances with its initial 70s harmonic vibe propelling into a mystical minor improv section that builds and compounds into fierce energy from the entire band. The solo section is a complete funk breakdown highlighted through Paczkowski's clavinet and the rhythm section's heavy groove that paves the way for Rezak's guitar solo. "The inspiration for this song comes from a real pillow that is made from glitter when you just want to shine bright," says Rezak.
'Truth in Sound' is available now on all digital platforms with a vinyl pre-order via Color Red. To stay posted on upcoming tour dates and news, visit marcusrezak.com
