Question Mark
Shadoks Question Mark : Be nice to the people -LP- (NI,1974)***°
Also Question Mark fit well with the finds of Witch & Blo, and is another great rock album with psych touches, especially through the additional organ, which has a great dominating psych effect on the music. The vocals are softer and more post-sixties compared to Blo & Witch, which are heavier and more rock. Of course, also here we can find wild fuzz guitar parts. Also here all songs are in English. Lyrically not all songs are equally rewarding, but the music makes it very much up for it, and is rewarding from a psychedelic point of view. A great discovery, worth checking out for late 60s/early 70s psychrock lovers.
Shadoks Question Mark : Be nice to the people -CD- (NI,1974)****
To celebrate the reissue of Question Mark it is available on CD now too, I will reconsider a new review of the album, which after the LP reissue I had perhaps kept it a bit short. While in the beginning I mostly liked a couple of most effective tracks, the album in fact grew on me, having become more attractive with each listen. At first some of the simplicity in the lyrics can keep the listener a bit cautious as to the album, at the same time it still is part of its total quality. The lyrics are simple but they are very effective in reaching out to the listeners, its honesty is full of affection, love and simple desires mixed with directness in the music full of attractive combinations.
“Have you?” is a love song asking for that kind of affection after having falling in love with a girl. The organ smoothly carries the mood with it. The song speeds up with tempo until afro-rock fuzz guitars lead the mood further becoming wilder with it. “Be nice to the people” is most effective with its lyrics and was one of my favourite songs from the beginning. It is carried by an attractive rhythm on drums and bass, is about showing its feelings and wish while remaining gentle with it. The rhythm turns to an attractive 3/8 groove before some fuzz solo is added. “Hey Hey Girl” addresses more directly to the girl, in a more simple rocking manner of a song. “Love” is a sad song with the organ also sadly accompanying in the background. It is about disappointment in love. The guitar plays rhythmically. Some vocal harmonies are used in the chorus. Some bass groove breaks certain moments. There are a few off keys in the harmonies but they disturb very little. After some repetition a bit more fuzz is added too. “Oh My Girl” is a more relaxed and romantic song. Here the vocal harmonies are a bit more worked out, almost west coast-like, with a simple organ rhythm in the background. Then a longer organ solo appears during a rhythmic flow and strummed repetition of chords. “Freeking Out” has a rockier approach again with some instrumental groove leads and song parts. Only in the end the fuzz increases its appearance while drums and guitar are getting slightly speeded up. “Scream Out” is another simple song about the need to follow its inner voice. First with a steady rhythm, following simple chords, two fuzz solos in echoing response and harmony appear too. “Mary Ann” returns to the importance and appreciation of the girl in friendship and love, with simple directness. Here the organ improvises a bit on its relaxed rhythm, with a bit more becoming rawer fuzz near the second half of the song.
The reissue comes with an 8-page interview with the lead vocalist and the drummer about their history with 2 more pages about the songs. The interview with Frank Izuora reveals that how they first were called The Questions, a band who even played in front of president Bongo from Gabon. Also revealed is a lot more background about the bands present in the midst of Question Mark’s own historical background. About “Be Nice to the People” both members explained it was their attempt to sound (succesfully) more like Ofege.
