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Cutting Room Rug

Arms Of Kismet

Wampus Multimedia, 2005

REVIEW BY: Jason Warburg

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 05/03/2005

"It's a fine line between crazy and clever" --"Auriculara (Listen To Me)"

Mark Doyon makes me look up words in my dictionary. It is one ofhis many endearing qualities.

In addition to being master of the WampusMultimedia universe(recording/manufacturing/distribution/marketing/graphicdesign/who-knows-what-else), Mark employs the pen name Arms OfKismet to issue discs of witty, idiosyncratic indie-rock that is toa band like Maroon 5 what a film like Sideways is to one like Miss Congeniality 2. In other words, zealously off-center,moderately acidic, daringly intellectual and vastlyentertaining.

Last year Arms Of Kismet issued the terrific Eponymous, winner of multiple raves from yours truly. Thistime around, the secret word is "Auriculara," as in thingsencompassing the act of hearing, also known as the first song onthis eclectic disc. The range of tones, textures and productionquirks Doyon applies to these songs is endless fun to deconstruct,but the framework is singer-songwriter roots-rock. Imagine TomPetty and Beck throwing a party for Todd Rundgren and you might begetting close.