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media - reviews/endorsements "...It is a strange phenomenon when you can forget where you are and fall into the music. The lyrics, mixture of sounds, the voice, the choice of instruments, all of them working together to pull you in. [Rain] captivates, intrigues, captures the mind. This song is nothing short of amazing. The music is composed masterfully. The whole song is brought together in a way most only hope to achieve. [It] is beautiful perfection..." "I enjoyed [Central State] ... nice sound... good music. I'd have this as a permanent resident on my mp3 player. Good job! What's great about it is you're not trying to sound like anyone else... 99% of people are, and It's nice to hear some music that's Mark Tulk rather than a clone of whomever just because it sells." "An engaging, updated revisiting of dreamy 70's British transcendental rock. Look out Radiohead!" "Mark Tulk makes music that is richly textured, and he communicates his passions with hushed intensity. The textures vary enough to make his album Central State a richly varied listening experience, one that only gets better with repeated listens." "There’s an obvious talent being wielded on this album,.. The songs progress and digress as if enshrouded in mist, a veiled sound that is built up over the first half of the album, until we reach “Rain” - and it’s doubly rewarding to actually listen to, if you let it soak into you, rather than wash over. [The] first five tracks are an EP in length, and that would be that, twenty minutes of very good, dark, freak folk. However, Mark Tulk shows he has a more diverse talent than just trying to give us the creeps (in the nicest possible way)... Inventive sounds, blooming towards chamber pop... For those with open minds, who don’t live alone in gloomy old houses..." "Mark Tulk’s Central State... [is a] ride through a gothic musical landscape that has as much beauty and clarity (Speak No More) as it does artsy weirdness (Ghosts and the title track).
Tulk, who plays every instrument on the album except cello (handled by his wife Niki) and bass (Joshua Stamper), sings with a sort of calm tension that never turns abrasive but also doesn’t fully smooth out.
More specifically, Tulk was inspired by Central State Hospital, an insane asylum in Milledgeville -- and the photo of the graves was taken in its cemetery. As such, the mostly piano-driven music maintains a ghostly, haunted feel. Even in its melodic moments, otherworldly elements abound, as in the bleeding drone textures of Rain." "Had the privilege of spending some time with your record this week, I was touring in Japan when it arrived so I'm just now getting to it. I think you've made a fine record with well crafted songs, the production is great, the more ambient first half is tremendous, mix is great, love the mid-60's Dylan-esque tunes on side b, Fellowship Cult Blues in particular feels straight off Bringing it all Back Home or HWY 61. Also, gorgeous ballads at the end! You cover a lot of stylistic ground on this record while retaining a sense of continuity, well done! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Congrats on a well-crafted, well-executed album!!!" "a TOTAL RAD SANDWICH!" "Mark Tulk, vocally, has a crazy resemblance to Mark Everett (The Eels), in my opinion. This Mark, hails out of Athens, GA where he is busy creating beautiful piano based works that have wonderful experimental qualities. Some songs are very dark, some very light.. but almost all, beautiful pieces of art to be heard and enjoyed. "Central State is a dark and... somber musical journey carried on the back of haunting piano progressions, trippy soundscapes and eclectic range of... instrumentation. Tulk's lyrical command makes these well-composed tracks easy... to listen to and remember. The opening track, 'Open Sky' is... a good representation of what is to come, but by no means a display of the many talents Tulk exudes on Central State. ... the album's title track, reminds me of something Elliot Smith would have written if he had been classically trained on piano. It is dark, brooding and finishes strong with some great harmony between the piano and vocals." "A former resident of Australia and a relative newcomer to the Athens [GA] scene, Mark Tulk brings us a unique mix of soft, unstructured melodies and gothic, piano-laden tunes. His sound differs markedly from that of many of our current local bands, but this serves to make his music stand out from the crowd." "[Central State] sounds like moody Americana folk with classical leanings - it doesn't necessarily require the knowledge that Tulk is a foreigner in a strange land to relate to the songs at all. Though maybe it helps... Whether you like the spectral title track, or the distorted guitar/violin/piano combo on 'Rain', there is a lot to hear and take in - rich rewards to be gleaned also." "Central State is more a montage of thoughts and ideas rather than a collection of songs. Inputting a nice spectral sound in [the] song ‘Open Sky’ makes it a listen which wonders around various tones and interesting musical landscape. Not quite experimental, but not quite your standard straight up and down song as well." "Had the chance to listen to [Central State] and I really do love it!
The album reminds me of the concept albums of the early '70s (best through headphones for full effect!). Its originality makes it stand out ... a future classic!" "The six tracks on At The End Of The Day occupy a space in the hinterland between the urban and the big outdoors, between the (false) promise of bright lights and big city life and the desolate beauty of the desert." "Mark Tulk is one of Australia’s most promising musical talents." OzMusicScene.com "At The End of the Day is a mature and sophisticated recording." "Apart from being the stand-out track on the EP, 'Low', is a brilliant counterpoint to moody, atmospheric 'She', with its haunting lyrics; 'She is staring out her window, dark eyes drinking in the sky, moonlight washes across her face' working well with strings and Tulk’s piano. Even in those two tracks, it’s apparent the sound of the EP is hard to pin down. At The End of The Day is so far from the normal sound of rock & roll that it’s almost visual music, not something to see but something to imagine." (more reviews coming soon!)
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