Only Human by Mark Gillespie: A Rock-Pop Odyssey That’s Still Kicking Around in Your Head
Let’s get one thing straight—Mark Gillespie’s Only Human isn’t just another forgettable rock-pop album from 2010. Nope. It’s like that old friend who crashes on your couch uninvited but ends up fixing your leaky sink while they’re there. Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, but damn if it doesn’t leave an impression.
First off, let’s talk about the genres and styles here. This is Alternative Rock meets Pop/Rock with enough vocal grit to make you feel something real—and maybe even check your pulse afterward. The tracks span decades of ideas (seriously, some songs are leftovers from the late '70s), so what you’ve got is less of a cohesive album and more of a musical scrapbook. But hey, sometimes patchwork quilts are cozier than silk sheets.
Now, onto the tunes. If I had to pick two tracks that’ll stick with me longer than my last bad haircut, it’d be “Mayday In Arcadia” and “Talkin’ To The Devil.” Why these? Well, buckle up, buttercup.
“Mayday In Arcadia” feels like stepping into a dream where David Bowie decided to jam with Dire Straits at sunset. The acoustic guitar lays down this warm bed of sound while Mark’s vocals glide over it like he owns the place—which, honestly, he kinda does. There’s something haunting yet hopeful about the whole thing. Like, you know life might throw crap at you tomorrow, but for now, you're vibing hard. Bonus points for not drowning us in cheese; instead, we get sharp lyrics that cut deeper than Ross Hannaford’s basslines.
Then there’s “Talkin’ To The Devil,” which sounds exactly how you’d imagine a chat with ol’ Lucifer would go—dark, brooding, and full of swagger. Seriously, this track has attitude for days. Between the slide guitar wailing like a banshee and those punchy drums courtesy of Mark Meyer, it’s impossible not to nod along like a bobblehead doll stuck on caffeine. Oh, and can we take a moment to appreciate Ted Lethborg’s liner notes? Dude dug deep into research mode, making sure every detail was as tight as Ross’s basslines. Respect.
But wait—what’s this? Bonus tracks galore! Tracks like “Deep As You” and “Stronger Together” sneak their way onto the playlist like party crashers with charm. They remind you that even unfinished business can still pack a punch. And yeah, some cuts feel dated, but isn’t nostalgia half the fun?
Here’s the kicker though: despite all its quirks, Only Human never tries too hard to impress. Instead, it lets its raw energy do the talking. Producer John Sayers clearly knew when to step back and let the chaos breathe, resulting in an album that feels alive rather than polished within an inch of its life.
So, final thoughts? Listening to Only Human is like finding a dusty VHS tape in your attic—it’s weirdly nostalgic, slightly flawed, and totally worth revisiting. Just don’t ask me why I kept humming “Stormy Bed” during my morning coffee run.
Rating: 8/10 – because perfection is boring anyway.
Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist, who's work blended roots-rock with an array of other styles
Died 11 Nov 2021 in Bangladesh. This was reported on 15 Nov on his friend Joe Creighton's facebook page who wrote simply: "Mark Gillespie passed away last Thursday. Vale Mark."
Real Name
Mark Ignatius Gillespie
Name Vars
Gillespie
Interesting fact about Album
Did you know that Mark Gillespie's album *Only Human* is like a musical time capsule? It blends tracks from the 2010 release with unreleased gems and alternate versions from as far back as 1977. The album features an impressive range of styles, from Alternative Rock to Vocal Pop, and even includes contributions from legendary musicians like Ross Hannaford on lead guitar. What’s wild is how it ties together decades of work—like the track "Black Angel," which was recorded during the *Black Tape Sessions* in 1978 but didn’t see the light of day until this album. It’s not just music; it’s a journey through Gillespie’s creative evolution, stitched together with care by producers, engineers, and designers. Oh, and fun detail: Mark played nearly every instrument himself, from mandolin to grand piano. Talk about wearing multiple hats!
