British indie act Mark Vennis & Different Place just released their third album, Small Town Vampire, and in just under twenty-five minutes they take you through a journey of their own. Dealing with themes of belonging, conformism and alienation, the band packs one hell of a punch in seven songs that sound woven together with a thread of gold.
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Unlike their previous releases, on Small Town Vampire the band adds a certain new wave flare to their indie punk sound and it works out beautifully from the very first second. Mark Vennis and his band do an amazing job in expanding their soundwaves into something that never strays away from their own brand type of DIY indie punk, but still manages to surprise and awe the listeners with the many twists and turns found across just seven tracks.
On “Small Town Vampire” we get a sense of what awaits us: a straightforward and extremely thoughtful rock and roll infused with interesting little production details, vocals that instantly make you think of Tim Armstrong and an openness in lyrics that feel absolutely fresh. The title tracks kicks it off, presenting all of the themes of the album at once. Dealing heavily with the sentiment of feeling like you don’t belong in your own hometown, the album works beautifully and sounds more vulnerable than you’d expect.
From then on in, Mark and his crew dive deep into the dynamics of oldschool 90s punk rock with a marvelous ease and commitment. By the time “Wild Suburban Boy”, the third track and latest single, hits you’re already in on the story and feeling like you’re either watching a movie or talking to your best friend about life’s frustrations and long-forgotten expectations. The production, handled by Duncan Lefeuvre, is truly remarkable as it is able to capture the DIY feelings of punk rock at the same time that it sounds and feels much elevated and smoother, and work very nicely alongside the themes explored and sung about Mark on the lyrics.
Mark is no stranger to the thematics explored on the album, and even though he said the songs aren’t exactly autobiographical, they do pull from his own experiences growing up in a small town. You can most definitely feel the sense of frustration that comes from said upbringing, especially on songs like “Hidden in Plain Sight” and the lyrics ‘And you spend your time hiding in plain sight, lost little kid not knowing which road is right‘. Mark manages to bring a full range of emotions through his almost spoken word vocals, sounding both urgent and vulnerable in a way that completely reels you in.
The album closes with “Familiar Feeling of Falling”, a song that perfectly captures the feelings once brought up on opener “Small Town Vampire” and make the record feel like a full journey towards escaping said feelings and places. On Small Town Vampire, Mark Vennis & Different Place achieved a remarkable feat by never once dropping the ball and bringing front and center the real emotions that inspired the songs. Such vulnerability is rarely found on punk records, and Mark Vennis did it better than most of those who tried.
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Mark Vennis & @diffplaceband’s new album Small Town Vampire brings in both frustration and vulnerability.
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— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) February 1, 2024
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the center didn’t hold