Record Reviews

Mark Jungers

Black Limousine

Mark Jungers has been a part of the Austin music scene on and off since the late Eighties. Having played in bands that never really made a name for themselves (Hell's Cafe, the Masons), it's no surprise if his name isn't instantly recognizable. Black Limousine, Jungers' debut as a solo artist, is unlikely to change that. While it's an agreeable slice of alt.country/Americana/Texas music or whatever they're calling it these days, it doesn't do much to distinguish him from a legion of singer-songwriters working similar territory. Jungers strives for a sound akin to that of Charlie Robison, or at times, Son Volt, which he generally achieves, but there are problems with his technique that undermine the effort. The musicianship, from the likes of Dave Ray, Bobby Snell, Wes Green, and Rachel Dreas, is generally top-notch, yet Jungers rarely rises above the tried and true. Lyrically, he's prone to clichés and simple rhymes, his melodies a little clunky, and with song titles like "Think About You," "Freightliner," and "Treat You Right," his subject matter is stereotypical where it aims for more. So while the music sounds fine, there's precious little depth here, and Black Limousine just doesn't hold up to repeated listenings.