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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: crumbum on March 08, 2010, 08:03:24 AM

Title: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: crumbum on March 08, 2010, 08:03:24 AM
This is really sad...

http://pitchfork.com/news/38114-rip-sparklehorses-mark-linkous/ (http://pitchfork.com/news/38114-rip-sparklehorses-mark-linkous/)

He made some truly beautiful and unique records.

(and I believe he once even called in to the Best Show)
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Pat K on March 08, 2010, 08:15:13 AM
I've been a huge fan of his for a long time - this hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it yesterday. 

I know the guy had more than his share of problems with drugs and depression, but with his albums with Fennesz and Danger Mouse that came out recently, plus the new solo record that he was supposedly almost done with, I was starting to think maybe he finally had things back on track. I guess that goes to show you never can tell with that kind of stuff.   What a loss.



(and I believe he once even called in to the Best Show)

Yeah, that was a great call. He was stuck in traffic on his way to a NYC venue, or soemthing like that, right?
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Kim Kelly on March 08, 2010, 08:24:10 AM
:(
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Ignore Function on March 08, 2010, 02:31:46 PM
Sigh.  I'm glad I got to see him play once.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: erika on March 08, 2010, 03:43:03 PM
Too many senseless suicides this year... very sad.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: dave from knoxville on March 08, 2010, 04:06:36 PM
I was shocked to hear it happened here in Knoxville. He was building a studio here, staying with his drummer. By all accounts, his career was on an upswing. Tragic.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Gilly on March 08, 2010, 05:02:20 PM
The Danger Mouse/Sparklehorse album was great and like most of his work underappreciated.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: crumbum on March 08, 2010, 05:50:57 PM
The Danger Mouse/Sparklehorse album was great and like most of his work underappreciated.

Agreed. I hope it still gets a proper release. It was just about my favourite album last year. It'll be tough now to listen to the song 'Grim Augury', sung by Vic Chesnutt of all people.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: badgrammer on March 08, 2010, 06:05:58 PM
Oh man. Kinda makes it worse to find out that it was suicide, RIP indeed.  :(
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Cotton on March 09, 2010, 03:53:06 AM
Too many senseless suicides this year... very sad.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Joe Rogaine on March 09, 2010, 04:28:58 AM
Remember when he called into the Best Show out of the blue, lost, and trying to find the WFMU studios.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: orator on March 09, 2010, 07:02:43 AM
Remember when he called into the Best Show out of the blue, lost, and trying to find the WFMU studios.

I don't. Could someone tell me which show that was on? Thank you.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Joe Rogaine on March 09, 2010, 07:13:05 AM
Remember when he called into the Best Show out of the blue, lost, and trying to find the WFMU studios.

I don't. Could someone tell me which show that was on? Thank you.


I couldn't  tell you but i remember Tom asking if it was really him and a caller or somebody at the studio confirmed it was indeed him.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Pat K on March 09, 2010, 09:00:43 AM
It was a real old episode... maybe even 2001?
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: pscan on March 09, 2010, 10:23:25 AM
I've never heard this band, despite hearing much about them over the years. Any recommendations on where to start with them?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Pat K on March 09, 2010, 01:23:18 PM
If you ask me, the four proper Sparklehorse albums are all pretty equal in quality, but I'd say the best jumping-off point would be album #2, Good Morning Spider - it's a good distillation of all the different things he does (did, *groan*). The debut Vivadixiesubarinetransmissionplot is a little bit more on the alt-country tip than the others, and albums 3 and 4 get into a lot of crazier production, but Good Morning Spider is a little bit of everything.  Vic Chesnutt sings backing vocals on one of the songs, too, if you're in the mood for a suicide duet.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Martin on March 09, 2010, 01:28:04 PM
My local paper ended their obituary on an odd note, claiming Linkous had to amputate both his legs following that overdose ten-something years ago. I don't know much about the man, but even Wikipedia says that "Subsequent surgeries saved both legs but left him wheelchair-bound for six months; his legs never fully regained their original strength."
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: break on March 09, 2010, 01:41:08 PM
Pretty hard to go wrong with any of it, so i'll just say that "Good Morning Spider" and "It's a Wonderful Life" should definitely not be missed.  

What a punch in the gut this news was, an irreplaceable loss.  
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: Emerson on March 09, 2010, 11:22:08 PM
I worked with Mark and considered him a friend. Incredibly sweet, thoughtful dude. Fucking wrenching.
Title: Re: Mark Linkous RIP
Post by: sonicdork on March 09, 2010, 11:44:54 PM
Mark Linkous was one of my all-time favorite songwriters. He wrote such haunting and beautiful pop songs. Such a horrific loss. He was supposed to play the Vic Chesnutt tribute show a few weeks ago in Athens, but he cancelled at the last minute.