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Mark Mulholland — Down Silver Streets
(Ports of Call, 2026, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2026-10-11

Down Silver Streets Cover art

Founded in the mid-70s, the West Midlands band Swell Maps occupied a category all their own, combining post-psych experimentation with a fiercely independent DIY spirit. Centered around brothers Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks, the band produced two remarkable albums before splitting in 1980. Nikki and Epic later joined forces with guitarist Dave Kusworth, and all three left behind influential bodies of work before their untimely deaths. Given the title and promotional material, I expected a Swell Maps tribute album. Instead, only one track, "Midget Submarines," comes from the Swell Maps catalog. The remaining songs draw from the later work of Nikki Sudden, Dave Kusworth, and Epic Soundtracks. What makes Down Silver Streets special is that it is clearly a labor of love. Scottish musicians Mark Mulholland and Joe Armstrong, joined by French drummer Stéphane Doucerain, were friends, collaborators, and admirers of the artists they celebrate here. As a result, these performances feel less like covers and more like heartfelt interpretations. The production is much cleaner than the classic Swell Maps recordings, with jangling guitars, organ, keyboards, and strong vocal harmonies replacing much of the original rough-hewn aesthetic. Yet the garage-band spirit remains intact. "Aeroplane Blues" stands out with its irresistible punk-psych jangle and a touch of Lou Reed, while "Kings and Queens" is simply a great song. My point of reference is primarily the Swell Maps, so I cannot compare every track with its original version. Taken on its own terms, however, Down Silver Streets succeeds both as a tribute to Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks, and Dave Kusworth and as an inviting introduction to their music for new listeners.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Down Silver Streets, Mark Mulholland

More info
http://portsofcallmusic.com/product/down-silver-streets/

 

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