Greatest hits? Yes, I know... it is a completely absurd
title for an album of an artist that has not really had any hits whatsoever. But
then again, this project has been associated with the absurd and the unexpected
for more than four years now, and thus should come as no surprise to anyone.
Hello. My name is Mark Dollin, but go by the names of mr_mark_dollin and Foo?.
It is a one-man operation, and thus it has had no limits to where it has gone
musically, lyrically and artistically. I’ve written three albums over the
years since 1996 (plus being involved in the conception of many others); and in
those albums there have been moments of music that have stood out or caused
other people to say ‘hey, I like that song’. So here it is, perhaps some my
most commercial songs put together in a neat little compilation – showing off
some off the good old ones and some popular new ones... A TEACUP IN A STORM:
appears on the ‘Puddles’ album. It was written in 1999, but stems from piano
experiments I was engaged in the year preceding. At the time it was one of the
scariest songs I had ever written. YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A MAN – SOMETIMES:
appears on the ‘Puddles’ album, and was one of my most popular tracks with
my fellow students in Armidale. It was written in early 2000. I love the
schizophrenic nature this song, and the ending, which in my view, defines what
‘audiophonica’ is all about. STUDENT X: appears on the ‘Puddles’ album,
and was written way back in 1998. This song was one of my first attempts to move
away from techno music and write rock music. I don’t know if I achieved that
transition successfully, but it makes a nice song anyway. HEHF: appears in the
closing moments of ‘Puddles’ and was written in 1999. This has to be one of
my favourite tracks – I can’t get that epic guitar sound out of my head.
GRADIVA: was written in 2000 and was a euphoric attempt at going back to dance
music, which is the roots of my song writing. TRACK 6: MAN GETS ON BUS: appears
on the ‘Pornography and Other Corporate Nonsenses’ album, and was written in
2000. The spoken word is by Michael Kortt. We were both getting into the idea of
‘self-destruction’ and industrial music - scary stuff. THE MELLOW: was
written in 2000. My friend Warwick Newell (who I used to write music with) said
that this is the greatest song I’ve ever written. I don’t agree with him,
but love to relax to the vast sounds in this song, and that groovy bass line.
GENERIC REJECTION: was written in 2000. This brutal and tight song was a
reaction to getting a rejection letter from Warner Music Australia regarding my
‘Puddles’ album. It is machine music all the way. OUTROFONTY: (also known as
Schläfriger Donner) was written in 2000. Intended to be a closing track for an
album, people comment on the atmospheres this song paints in the mind. I like
the idea of giving a sense of temperature in my music, and this song gives a
warm feeling. Strange, and completely absurd. Anyway, I hope you like the music.
Thank you for listening. Mark – March 2001.