Mark Lind and the Unloved - The Truth Can Be Brutal

Mark Lind and the Unloved's third CD, the second to be released by Sailor's Grave, is by far his best to date. With a solidified line up for the Unloved in Jeff Morris (guitar), Mike Savitkas (Bass) and longtime friend and drummer Jay Messina; Mark's gritty vocals and soul bearing sound writing are provided with worthy arrangements. Always having been one of Boston's best but often overlooked drummer's with the Ducky Boys Messina's ability and timing shine on "The Truth Can Be Brutal;" with no disrespect meant to Mark's bass playing with the Ducky Boys, the combination of Savitkas and Messina is flawless in support of the 11 new tracks. Jeff Morris provides a rock solid lead guitar work with tones that vary from Westerberg pop to the growl of Slash' humbuckers. Lind's songwriting is a mature, introspective look at politics, love, and of course the City of Boston.

Upon initial listen "The Truth Can be Brutal" is a complete album, there is no filler - eleven songs that range from pop-rock, to border line Guns 'n' Roses, to punk. The brutal truth is that it took more the 3 chords Lind is accustomed to working to in order to convey his best songs to date. The quality of these 11 songs is impressive making it hard to pick a distinct favorite or favorites. At this point "Hello My Brother", a rocker that could have easily been put on G'n'R's Appetite has caught my ear along with "So She Says" and "Jack and Coke" two Replacement-esque love stories with unhappy endings.

Fans of the progression the Ducky Boys have made to date will enjoy "The Truth Can be Brutal." "The Truth Can be Brutal" in Mark's solo career is analogous to "Three Chords and the Truth" in his career with the Ducky Boys, a standout where all the pieces have come together.