Mark McGuire – A Young Person’s Guide To Mark McGuire (2011) [Editions Mego] // Grade: A-

If you follow, or even frequent, the works of Mark McGuire, you’d know that he is a tireless and ingenious musician, constantly impressing listeners with his multitude of talents and ability to construct some of the most immersive experimental compositions ever recorded. As a member of the psychedelic three-piece, Emeralds, McGuire provided, for himself, an expansive musical platform while playing alongside friend and fellow electronic wizard Steve Hauschildt.

From there, he performed under a variety of different aliases such as Skyramps, Sun Watcher, and People’s Parties ultimately deciding to use his given name. Never faltering to progress his style and hone his instrumentation, the 24 year-old has pumped out countless tapes, CD-Rs, and LPs as a solo artist over the past four years.

A Young Person’s Guide To Mark McGuire is a two-disc compilation, showcasing some of McGuire’s previously released, personal favorite tracks among others that have been nearly impossible to find, let alone hear, as they were published in such limited quantities. The retrospective album highlights sonic milestones in the artist’s career and speaks to his intense appreciation for his listeners, with the goal of the album release being to make accessible a portion of his discography that had previously been contained solely by collectors and merch-hounds.

AYPGTMM can be likened to an ancient, esoteric encyclopedia of dusty rarities, within each volume, or song, shines a personality and history that, once uncovered, whispers stories, imagining tales of wonder. Clocking in at about two and a half hours, this otic novel renders a full-scope of McGuire’s craftsmanship and inborn talent. Misty guitar plucking and reverberated, glassy drones give birth to burning ambient stars. The notation reinforces and builds upon itself, ultimately conceiving a melodic constellation of sound.

Editions Mego, having worked with and released material from artists such as Oneohtrix Point Never and Kevin Drumm as well as making available McGuire’s previous album Living With Yourself, provides an affordable, essential, and downright beautiful double-disc anthology of some of Mark McGuire’s most momentous and hard-to-find treatments. The sleeve and inner jackets are outfitted with art provided by the god-like Stephen O’Malley and packaged with a sweet mini-poster insert of Mark in all his ginger glory. Don’t miss out on this one, its a perfect introduction as well as a fine collectible piece for the avid enthusiast.

- Casper