Mudville

"Smoldering like the remnants of a fire, or maybe the beginnings of what will become a blistering blaze, (the twelve tracks on Iris Nova are) a musical force? Singer Marilyn Carino and producer Benny Cha Cha coax songs with a slow burn into well-fueled flames that produce considerable amounts of heat. Adding interest to Carino and Cha Cha's chemistry are lyrics that are ethereal, quirky, and questioning, complementing the evocative production with ease. ?Brooklyn? is a funk-rock romp that comes close to matching the grit and eclecticism of the borough of its title.

The genre-blending that some musicians work so hard to achieve here seems effortless, genuine, and unique." - OKAYPLAYER.COM

"Mudville's debut LP, The Glory of Man Is Not in Vogue, snakes through esoteric rhythms and beats care of Rubin and soars with the whiskey sour illustrative harmonies of Carino. Unmistakable hits such as the opening track "Hero of the World" and the twangy early morning fog of "Surfer Girls" make Mudville an enchanting listen. The Glory of Man is not in Vogue is a testament to the healing powers of rhythm and should not go undiscovered." - NYLON

"Marilyn Carino sings about troubled longings and bleak surreal visions, while Ben Rubin surrounds her melancholy voice with brooding, minor-key tracks that start with electric piano and venture into smoky, ominous lounge territory, somewhere between Fiona Apple and Morcheeba." (Jon Pareles) - NEW YORK TIMES

"There's post-rock, post-punk, and now, post-trip-hop. In the hands of the smoldering vocalist Marilyn Carino and the producer, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist Ben Rubin, down-tempo beats, haunted-matin?e-style organ playing, and electronic flourishes coalesce into something familiar yet wholly unique." - THE NEW YORKER

"Mudville features Marilyn Carino's sultry vocals pouring out poetic lyrics filled with imagery... (with) an other-worldly blues-jazz feel you'd hear in a lounge or in a Jim Jarmusch film."
- NEW YORK POST