Cutting Room Rug (2005)

"Witty, idiosyncratic indie-rock that is to a band like Maroon 5 what a film like Sideways is to one like Miss Congeniality 2.... Zealously off-center, moderately acidic, daringly intellectual and vastly entertaining.... These are songs to not just listen to, but explore, a series of musical masks donned by an artist with keen insight and an outsized sense of playfulness." --Jason Warburg, The Daily Vault

"This disc just sucks you in with its unabashed joy.... Cutting Room Rug is one of those albums that your hipster friends will swear by and which you will inevitably discover by accident about three years from now. Save everyone the lag time and buy the disc now. That decision will make you cooler than you have any right to be. Rating: A." --Groovevolt.com

"Arms of Kismet features the genius of Mark Doyon. This stuff is so good that it almost defies explanation. On the surface, it’s great power pop. A little below the surface is a whole other species of musical madness." -- Mike Perazzetti, The Fevered Brain of Radio Mike

"The latest installment of wittily intelligent, wryly humorous and unabashedly romantic pop music from Mark Doyon's Arms of Kismet.... The high standard set with last year's Eponymous is maintained with sharp songwriting, ear-catching arrangements and deft production touches. Although producer Doyon has given the record a Beatle-y sheen, there's enough real emotion in songs like 'Life Imitates' and 'Pinnacle of Same' (my two favorites -- they're all pretty darn good) to keep the listener from forgetting there's a man behind the curtain. And speaking of things Beatle-y, the aural and lyrical thematic links strewn like musical clues throughout the record make this more than just a collection of songs." --Norman Famous' Reviews

"Arms of Kismet succeeds in taking the singer/songwriter formula and making it wholly personal. A cross between Beck and Grant Lee Buffalo, AoK varies upbeat and low-paced songs to create a solid album of drawl-inflected folk-rock, stories, and themes that stays interesting due to the non-linear involvement of other instruments. Here there is a synthetic keyboard, there it is primarily drums, but nowhere does it overlap in essence or form, showing an apt approach to usage of all the elements at their disposal. Changes internal to each song don't vary as much as they do from song to song, but AoK make up for this fact with the sheer originality invested in this record. In particular the use of the synthetic drums and keyboards is interesting for the way they fill out the space yet sound artificial. Normally I wouldn't like the fake sound of such instruments, but here it is used to almost thumb their nose at such conventions and create a viable result." --HybridMagazine.com

"The music of Arms of Kismet is about as enigmatic as its name makes it sound. This is alternative rock, but it’s not loud, angry or weird. Instead, it’s intelligent, insightful and warm. Oddly enough, it’s edgy music that somehow makes you feel good." --Dan MacIntosh, Indie-Music.com

"Arms of Kismet's almost-great 2004 debut, Eponymous, was impressively eclectic, but too tasteful for its own good; this sophomore effort shoots out more sparks and that's a very good thing. One-man-band Mark Doyon hasn't changed his approach; if you dug the way Eponymous seamlessly blended rootsy classic rock with forward-looking electronics, welcome home. But Cutting Room Rug takes more risks, bringing an edge lacking from the first album, and it simply has better songs — which is saying a lot, since pungent lyricism is among Doyon's most potent weapons. Always a treat when an artist tops themselves! If you're looking for a bridge between Cracker and Radiohead, try Cutting Room Rug." --Jim Santo's Demo Universe

"Led by Mark Doyon, Arms of Kismet find themselves among Virginia’s rising stars of postmodern rock. The fearless genre-bending makes a stop on the Dylanesque travel tale, 'Outbound Train,' which Bob would probably not just love but loathsomely curse that he didn’t write two or three decades ago. Interesting and fun, go grab this as it’s an even better album than their debut of a year ago. (Editor's Pick)" --Smother.net

"Diverse and creative, Arms of Kismet are a rich blend of Americana, blues, rock, and a tad of everything else. Some of the stuff could be the Traveling Wilburys, or Tom Petty at his finest. The arrangements are expansive and flowing, a nod to the psychedelia that bubbles underneath. Even some odd pop is allowed.... 'Coil' is a thing of beauty." --Underground Sound

"Cutting Room Rug is full of mysterious, atmosphere-laden joyrides, where you never know just where the train is taking you. Transitioning into tracks such as 'Cracks,' 'Outbound Train,' and 'Clover' are perfect examples of this, stringing you along in one direction then suddenly veering hard right, jolting you into another path altogether. The highly danceable 'Pinnacle Of Same' finds Arms of Kismet in yet another atmosphere, making listeners hip-hop and toe-tap to its groovy drum beat and deep bed of cheerful keyboards." --AntiMUSIC

"Full of quirky, off-center, witty tunes about everything from returning to the childhood neighborhood to just listening. With Arms of Kismet you get those same 'what the hell did he just say?' and 'what the hell does that mean?' feelings you get when listening to Dylan or Lou Reed. This is some pretty heady stuff but it’s fun all the same." --J.R. Oliver, Ear Candy

"Mark Doyon is back with a follow-up to his well-received Eponymous CD.... The recording is great once again, solid as a pop rock. A good mix of acoustic and electric sounds. Mark's songwriting style is catchy and witty and he's adventurous enough to add little elements that really differentiate and suit the songs while remaining true to his foundation sound. Lyrics are once again challenging and a bit esoteric, but easy to listen to and discern." --Steve Allat, The Muse's Muse

"Cutting Room Rug is, if anything, even better than Eponymous. ‘Postmodern pop for the stout of heart’ goes the press release, and to my ears this CD is more eclectic than the first. ‘Listen to Me’ begins and ends the record and one wonders why we’re not hearing this song every day on the radio. What follows (‘Outbound Train’) is more rockabilly in style, and a song that George Harrison and the Traveling Wilburys would have been proud of (as is ‘Clarendon’). ‘Clover’ starts off as a blues with a name check of ‘Rosedale’.... ‘Life Imitates’ is a Petty-like folk ballad. The clever wordplay continues on ‘Cracks’ with its ominous ‘house’ feel." --Zeitgeist

"These songs are fun to hear, but they are also thought-provoking, especially when you read/hear the lyrics. The tracks are deceptively complex in rhythm and musical quality, giving the impression that they are simple tracks with little to say. However, there is an intelligence that permeates this album; so much so that when it is compared favorably to projects by Beck or The Flaming Lips, I have to agree. Mark Doyon is a talented songwriter, and a gifted musician/producer. You need to hear the tunes that he is laying down here to gain a full appreciation of that fact." --Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com

"Great guitar and dance beats abound here, with fractured, crazy lyrics. Very powerful production, as can be heard on the first, very cool track, 'Auriculara (Listen to Me).' One minute hard, the next sugary sweet. Alt-rock to alt-country, via alt-pop would sum the album perfectly.... 'Pinnacle of Same' is a glorious mélange of sound and lyrics." --Modern Dance UK

"Such catchy tunes that you can recall them after hearing them just a couple of times. An excellent album from Mark Doyon and friends, and a worthy successor to their well-received debut." --Peter Jolly, Mensa Feedback

"The brainchild of songwriter Mark Doyon, Arms of Kismet creates a surprising plethora of pop genres. The mosaic includes the Brit-alt 'Outbound Train,' the psychedelic-tinged 'Coil,' and the haunting folk ballad 'Life Imitates.' This may seem all over the map, but Mark keeps it together with his Beck-meets-Billy Bragg emotive croon and intelligent lyrics." --Mark E. Waterbury, Music Morsels

"Too-good-for-MTV dollop of Tom Petty cowpoke, Flaming Lips spunk, and a Grateful Dead fetish for choo-choos ('Outbound Train' and 'Clover').... Mark Doyon’s mod-Dylan posturing combined with some shock guitar not witnessed since Blue Oyster Cult and a pervasive rock-opera theme leave this with not much to dislike. This label is making very few mistakes." --Eric Saeger, Skope

"Cutting Room Rug is an album on the cutting edge of pop.... Arms of Kismet is revolutionary in that they go back to earlier styles of pop, pick and choose what is best for them, and tie it together with other influences to make it fresh." --Neufutur

"Cutting Room Rug is an innovative mix of moods and styles that is gripping from the first evocative key to the last brooding note." --Kweevak.com

"Give it a shot if you see it on a listening station. You'll be pleasantly surprised." --Pucknation.com

"'Clarendon' is a foot-stomping pop-rock gem that sounds like a lost Wilco B-side bridging the gap between Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. It’s undoubtedly the best track on the album, and it's almost worth the price of admission in and of itself." --Delusions of Adequacy (Note: this reviewer actually savaged the record in the rest of his review. If you see him, please give him some Smarties and a hug.)

Eponymous (2004)

"Eponymous brims with an off-kilter wisdom and warped melodies, a treasure-trove of idiosyncratic rock and roll that will make you smile when it isn't busy making you think. More than just a collection of songs, this disc marks the coming of age of an original voice, and is not to be missed." --Jason Warburg, The Daily Vault

"Inspired song structure, thematic consistency and depth, excellent instrumentation, original and compelling lyrics, the human touch, rock tradition, songwriting superiority, vocal harmony, ironic smiles, America, sadness, beauty, and an enveloping sense of personal involvement and connection.... Anyone who likes Smog, P.J. Harvey, Dylan, Tom Petty, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, or any of the songwriting greats, will love this.... Wampus must now be one of the strongest indie labels in the country." --Fleabomb.com

"Comprised of a wide range of sounds from alternative rock ('Alive and Awake' and 'Are You My God' are notable examples, as is 'Sail Seven,' which contains more than a few echoes of late-1980s They Might Be Giants) to hip-hop-inflected tracks like 'Karma Never Forgets' and 'Beautiful Career,' which a cunning, daring DJ might slip into his dance mix, Eponymous is a magical collision of styles and sounds that careens down the tracks without ever derailing. What takes this disc to the rarified air it occupies is the care with which it was obviously created.... 'Cuckold of Titan' and 'Sepia Eyes' paint vivid pictures with an economy of words. They are both beautiful tracks, and 'Sepia Eyes' serves as a stunning closer.... Eponymous is a classic, one of the first great discs of 2004." --Groovevolt.com

"Eclectic is the first word that bursts into the brain as you listen to this adventurous work that dares to steer a bit left of the norm. The CD is as unique as it is refreshing, blending some dance backbeats, adult alternative grooves, and a twist of roots pop to complete the enjoyable cocktail. The vocals are delivered with a surprising gentleness and charisma, a wonderful example of what can happen when you cut across the grain and dare to be a bit different.... A valiant effort to help get pop music out of the rut it seems to be in lately, but Arms of Kismet treks through without even spinning the tires." --Rikks Revues

"Mark Doyon writes wry and intelligent songs about life, religion, and the ongoing pursuit of happiness. This collection of singular pop tunes includes one absolute classic (the powerful 'Are You My God') and several others ('Cuckold of Titan,' 'Sepia Eyes') that are nearly as good. Recommended for those who like their pop with a twist." --Norman Famous' Reviews

"'We can't all be born in mangers.' I love that line. I love how Arms of Kismet mixes Americana, rock, electronica, and coffeehouse rock. Vocally it's a mix between Buckley and Dylan." --Smother.net

"Using just about every pop, bebop, alternative, folk, new wave and indie-whatever hook, nook 'n' cranny in the repertoire, the mix and fabulous mastering work by the legend Jon Astley bring out the clarity in this ultra-cool collection of singer-songwriter strummers.... 'Cuckold of Titan' is a journey through serious soundscapes, very much like the finest of Dylan.... This is sure to be one of the better releases of 2004, and you can quote me on that one." --Underground Sound

"There's a special and warm, dreamy quality about the songs on this new release... a very moody and colourful affair. There are several sections where the lead guitar is used to such great effect.... The solos aren't exactly Hendrix, more Pete Green -- laid back and soulful (especially on 'Sepia Eyes'). Soulful and incredibly smooth, Arms of Kismet play some wonderful stuff. The production is spot-on on tracks like 'Alive and Awake,' 'Beautiful Career,' and 'Cuckold Of Titan,' which is dedicated to 'KV'. It says 'tastes change' here, but Arms of Kismet have written an album I sincerely believe will be timeless, much the same as the book Sirens of Titan." --Modern Dance UK

"The production is excellent with the use of the latest tools, drum loops, samples and guitar tones that show the record off as a state-of-the-art recording.... Each song is produced to be a listening adventure. The songwriting, both lyrically and musically, is great. Mark Doyon is a modern-day troubadour, ready to carry on for Lennon and McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne." --Indie-Music.com

"Eponymous is a cohesive album that, in its originality, can take you back to another place with one chord change. Towards the end of 'Standby,' there is an electric guitar chord that reminds me of the song they play in La Bamba when Ritchie Valens’ plane goes down and he and two other musical legends buy it for no good reason. This is significant with regards to Doyon, because it illustrates the memory-evoking feeling of his music.... He sings his brand of fables with a true voice, reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Michael Penn." --Left Off the Dial

"With his warm (not grating) Tom Petty voice, Doyon soothes us at the same time as he's challenging us. The songs are meaty in every way -- vocals, guitars, production, and presentation. Doyon has taken sounds we are somewhat familiar with -- '60s guitars, organs, and effects -- and made them both modern and futuristic-sounding, in an engaging and complementary way.... The songwriting is interesting and strong, the production bang-on." --Steve Allat, The Muse's Muse

"A thoughtful set of power-pop tunes, reminiscent of my beloved Cracker, a uniquely American mix of pop, soft rock and Americana. And utterly delightful. There is a dreamlike quality to a lot of the music that is instantly compelling. No mean feat when we've got more music coming from all directions than we've ever had before.... There is a cutting-edge feel to the production that shows it's as much about looking forward as looking back. There are some sublime melodies and memorable choruses, and you'll be hard-pushed to find a more soulful end to an album this year than 'Sepia Eyes.'" --Zeitgeist

"Each song has a different vibe and arrangements that fluctuate from rock, to Americana, to alternative, to psychedelic to hip-hop.... The results are contemporary compositions with classic rock quality. Doyon writes savvy, insightful lyrics and uses a variety of vocal inflections to give each song a unique character and tone." --Kweevak.com

"I love artists who say 'screw it, let's go out on a limb.' That's Arms of Kismet, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist by the name of Mark Doyon, who put together this album with a host of special guests. Doyon draws a captivating musical picture with a mixture of alternative, electronica, new wave, and dance beats that are painted on a canvas of melodic pop that easily catches the ears. This is definitely an album you should check out if you are a fan of any of the above-mentioned genres or are just curious to hear something a bit left of center." --antiMUSIC

"If you want to hear a band that has a unique sound, listen to this album. The talent is abounding. Each cut has a signature feel that belongs only to Arms of Kismet. Pop, rock, ballads. College radio should wear this album out. A winning release." --Roots Music Report

"Clever song structure and intelligent lyrics aided by a confident delivery make this addictive listening." --Journal of the Classic Rock Society

"Anyone who gets Jon Astley to master their album is always worth a listen or two.... Arms of Kismet plays the sort of eclectic, loopy pop music that ought to have made Astley smile. Which is more than good enough for me." --Aiding & Abetting

"The light touch of the electric guitar, the tap of the cymbal, and the strum of the acoustic guitar join forces to make an album that is laid-back, upbeat, and often poppy in design, but caters to a broad spectrum of enjoyment. Well done, promising." --Soundnova

"Bob Dylan meets Beck.... This disc is smooth and mellow and enjoyable to listen to. In spots, techno beats contrast starkly with the stripped-down sound of the music. The whole thing has a wonderful feel that carries flawlessly through the entire disc, weaving all the songs together." --IMPACT Press

"A pleasant mixture of spirituality, monster choruses and great words. A winner." --South of Mainstream

"A plus lyricist and composer blessed with stalking catchiness." --Spunout Central

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