“Life is a game where you learn the rules at half time. ‘Play That Game’ is a slice of orange before going out for the second half.” – Mike Marlin, 2010

Mike Marlin was born in the swingin’ sixties, the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll, but took his inspiration from the ‘70s post-punk period which produced classic artists such as Elvis Costello and Paul Weller. He dropped out of Oxford university to pursue his passion for music (and girls), writing songs using his guitar and cassette-player. He retreated into a shell, only venturing out to play bass in bands that never made it and eventually spiralled into depression. Then, technology came to his rescue: he wrote code in the day and songs by night, but the songs didn’t make it past the basement. Fast forward 25 years, and Mike met music producer James Durrant, who – luckily – was scouting for an undiscovered songwriter. Mike played him some songs, and within 18 months they had completed the album, Nearly Man, and his secret songs were finally ready to release into the world. ‘Play That Game’ is the first single to be taken from it.

From the opening bars of ‘Play That Game’, with its jazzy honky-tonk piano, baritone vocals and twanging guitar, it immediately sets itself apart from the mainstream pop dominating today’s charts, instead sounding like it’s come straight from the Bugsy Malone soundtrack. This build-up gives way into a rousing, gospel-tinged chorus with a sweeping, anthemic quality. You’ll easily find yourself tapping your foot along to its heavy, bluesy, stomping rhythm, which lasts the whole way through and is the core of the song. The second half is where the song cuts loose from its previous structure and breaks down into an instrumental frenzy with an impressive saxophone solo and guitar riff. In a nutshell, ‘Play That Game’ is fun and infectious, while still remaining substantial. The more I listened to it, the more it grew on me. It’s something a little different, a little intriguing, and leaves you wondering what’s to come.

The world of Mike Marlin: www.mikemarlin.co.uk

Harriet Dew