“Better” is the newest single from pop rocker Mark Haberland, who goes by the moniker Mark And The Tiger. Originally from Round Pond, Maine, Haberland uncaged sound is now broadcasting from Los Angeles, Calif. The West Coast spark and sunny musical tropes in “Better” are just a few of the bright spots. The murky lyrics are callous, with Haberland pouncing on his inward, emotional toughness. He prevails and so does the listener.
Haberland’s voice never retreats behind any barriers or partitions. He’s completely exposed to the thoughts and emotions running around his head. He’s not scattered, though, and lures the listener into his wild vocal web. He sings funny how a life can go to waste, maybe things will get better, it’s hard to know, you only have yourself to blame. The listener is swallowed whole by his unrelenting darkness. He just can’t seem to bust out of his slump – keeping on crying with a smile he sings.
MORE ON MARK AND THE TIGER: https://www.markandthetiger.com/
Mark And The Tiger previously released “Hand To Hold” and captured comparisons to Lewis Capaldi (“Someone You Loved”) and I think the same can be said for “Better”. He can’t seem to escape that timbre, that gulp or crack in the voice that triggers such an emotional reaction. “Better” has a more up tempo music bed, a flashier base. I could almost see this song fitting into the New Wave sound (just on music alone). I sensed even a tad of BØRNS (“Electric Love”) sprinkled within his voice chamber. Haberland’s workmanship is solid and he fights until the end of the song to achieve what he wants. He crawls his way through the darkness, through the depression. I can’t imagine a more inspiring track for someone suffering because of addiction or mental illness. A part of me also thinks this song might be about his ravaged trail through the music business. It’s not an easy trek, nor it is for the weak minded. The dreaminess and murky tones in the music bed shift and sway, giving hopeful ideals. It’s an array of colliding forces, including Haberland’s bravado. As a listener, I wasn’t exactly brimming with happiness by song’s end, but I was completely satisfied by its artistry. Mark And The Tiger should be applauded for the bravery exhibited within the lyrical content in “Better”.
APPLE MUSIC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mark-and-the-tiger/1262088958?ign-gact=3&ls=1
Overall “Better” is a solid track prime time ready. Haberland’s voice, like a tiger, sort of stands in the corner at first, watching you. You almost feel like he’s following you and the words stalk you after a few listens. I’m still humming and pleading the lyrics, days later. I keep wanting to go back to his well and drink up on the emotional roller coaster. I can’t get enough. He’s stealth, that Haberland. He sneaks up on you and tattoos his voice to your brain. “Better” grabs your attention and each listen it heals another wound, a bad thought is set aside or a chin can look up. “Better” proves that Mark And The Tiger keep getting ‘better’ on each single they release.
Troy Johnston