Album Review: Ciao My Shining Star

On September 29th, the compilation album Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy will be released from Shout! Factory. This collection has been created to raise money for a musician, Mark Mulcahy, whose wife died suddenly last year, leaving him to raise his three-year old twin daughters alone. The funds from sales will allow Mulachy to continue making music. All of the tracks are covers of Mark Mulachy songs as interpreted by different musicians. The list of contributors is incredible: Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, Frank Black, Elvis Perkins, Ben Kweller, and American Indie friend and favorite, Frank Turner, to name a few. I would pick up the album based on the contributing artists alone, but the music is plenty worth it as well. This album is not only brilliant in concept but also beautiful in execution.

Thom Yorke‘s electronic, synthesizer driven cover of All For The Best to David Berkeley‘s stripped down, acoustic take on Love’s The Only Thing. The National provide a vibrant version of Ashamed Of The Story I Told that I can’t stop listening to and Frank Turner‘s cover of The Quiet One is dark and haunting.

When I first heard about this album, I was not too familiar with Mulachy’s work. Upon listening, I have discovered another artist I love and have been enjoying the cover work of some of my old favorites. Mulcahy is the former front-man for the band Miracle Legion, Polaris (featured on the television show The Adventures of Pete & Pete, as well as performing as a solo artist.

For more on Mark Mulachy, visit his website or his MySpace. Keep an eye out for Ciao My Shining Star on September 29th. Purchase the album and preview tracks here.

Available on CD and digital download, the full track listing is as follows:

Thom Yorke – All For The Best


The National – Ashamed Of The Story I Told


Michael Stipe – Everything’s Coming Undone


David Berkeley – Loves The Only Thing That Shuts Me Up


Dinosaur Jr. – The Backyard


Chris Harford & Mr Ray Neal – Micon The Icon


Frank Black – Bill Jocko


Vic Chesnutt – Little Man


Unbelievable Truth – Ciao My Shining Star


Butterflies Of Love – I Have Patience


Chris Collingwood (Fountains Of Wayne) – Cookie Jar


Frank Turner – The Quiet One


Rocket From The Tombs – In Pursuit Of Your Happiness


Ben Kweller – Wake Up Whispering


Josh Rouse – I Woke Up In The Mayflower


Autumn Defense – Paradise


Hayden – Happy Birthday Yesterday


Juliana Hatfield – We’re Not In Charleston Anymore


Mercury Rev – Sailors And Animals


Elvis Perkins – She Watches Over Me


Sean Watkins – A World Away From This One

Bonus tracks (available digitally only)

A.C. Newman – Gigantic Transatlantic Trunk Call


Buffalo Tom – Butterflies


Laura Veirs – Mr. Mingo


Joe Purdy – Resolution #1


Syd Straw – Hey Self Defeater


The Pressure Room – Tempted


Dumptruck – Apartment Murders


The Parkway Charlies – 4:04


Winterpills – And Then?


Biet Simkin – Be Sure


The Gravel Pit – Closer To The Wall


The ‘Mericans – Country Boy


The Autumn Defense – Even Better


Lo Fine – Everywhere


TW Walsh – I Hate To Needy Need You


School for the Dead – I Just Shot Myself In The Foot Again


The Sluggos – Nothing But A Silver Medal


Spouse – Pasadena Love Story


Senator – The Way She Really Is


The Late B.P. Helium – You’re The One Lee