Description
Fiction is the sole album by the American pop/rock band Mukala, released on Essential Records in September 1998, a division of Brentwood Music, manufactured and distributed by Provident Music Distribution in the US. The album was recorded at Velvet Elvis Studios and The Playdough Factory in Nashville, Tennessee; with band member Dan Muckala producing for GlorifiedMono Productions. Mukala is Dan Muckala on lead vocals and keyboards, Alex Nifong on guitars, and Jason Collum on drums.
Modern rock, especially the electronic variety, often walks a fine line between style and substance. In the worst cases, the players hide behind a wall of samples and electronic noise, hoping it will cover for weak songwriting. In the best of cases, you get an album as superb as Mukala’s ‘Fiction’.
Led by singer, keyboardist and songwriter Dan Muckala (pronounced MUH-kuh-lah), ‘Fiction’ exhibits a lyrical and musical depth that’s rare for a debut. Not only does the album effectively combine electronica, jazz, rock and other styles, the production is a sonic delight worthy of headphones. This is a sharp project.
‘Fiction’ kicks off with the instantly accessible «Soap» and «Skip to the End». Both set the pace: Trippy beats, swirling synthesizers and subtle guitar work drive songs about faith, hope and sin in the shadow of a broken culture.
The best of ‘Fiction’, however, arrives via three tracks at the center of the album. In «High», a pilot reflects on the earth and sky and recognizes the enduring grace of God, backed by a mournful soundtrack. «Original Sin» lashes out at crumbling morality, nimbly avoiding cliches while chugging along to a James Bond-ish vibe. And «Atrocity» paints a stinging portrait of a fallen leader: “You took it all for free/ It was your kind of recreation/ And it nevner meant a thing.”
There’s nary a weak track on ‘Fiction’, a credit to Dan Muckala’s pop sensibilities and the subtle, but effective presence of gutarist Alex Nifong and drummer Jason Collum. Simply an excellent debut. [Anthony DeBarros, CCM, November 1998]
Occasionally, just occasionally, you hear an album which is so good, so fresh, so fab that you feel like leaping up and down and shouting to anyone who cares to hear so here goes… THIS ALBUM IS BRILLIANT!!!!! Ahhh, I feel better now. Mukala are built around the song-writing talents of one Dan Mukala who pens poptabulous pieces of vibey, dancey, poppy rock that defies easy pigeonholing. Drum loops loop, there’s plenty of guitar and strange keyboards and electric sounds to give this a wonderful quirky feel. But more than that, this is such a brilliant collection of songs – there’s the inherent catchiness of «Ice Age» or «Skip To The End» with its apocalyptic overtures. There’s the amazing «Story Of Her Life» which in style is reminiscent of Space but behind the jolly lilting melody, the lyrics are a sad eulogy to a life never lived because of abortion. Powerful stuff. «Soap» was heard on last ish’s CR cassette and it’s a simple song about the grace that washes sins away. «Regret» has one of those loopy grooves that it’s impossible not to fall for it! Dan Mukala writes the kind of tunes that won’t leave you alone and the arrangements here make this totally compelling listening! «High» combines eerie sounds, a jungley loop and yet another catchy melody to create a haunting effect. The closing «Jesus Shirt» is as fine a challenge to consumerist faddy Christianity as you’ll ever want to hear! Comparisons with Beck and Smashmouth will give you the right ballpark but in reality Mukala take Christian music into the next millennium. Got to be one of ’98’s best albums! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, December 1998]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fiction/323968888)
CD tracklist:
01. Soap – 3:47
02. Skip to the End – 3:42
03. Stranger Than Fiction – 4:33
04. Regret – 4:28
05. High – 6:10
06. Original Sin – 4:54
07. Atrocity – 4:22
08. Story of Her Life – 4:39
09. Ice Age – 4:17
10. Jesus Shirt – 4:04
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Essential Records.
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