Review: Barefoot Mark "Let The Beast Run"

Country and blues artist "Barefoot" Mark Cullimore is about as Texan as they come, and "Let The Beast Run" proves that this west Texas country boy has an infectious passion for music. Indeed, like the cover suggests, Barefoot Mark's "Let The Beast Run" leaves a surprisingly impressive musical footprint, and, by the way, bluesy Barefoot Mark knows how to "saaang."
The album begins with the ironically titled "Florsheim Shackles." Yes, Barefoot Mark does seem to really have a musical vendetta against shoes. Country audiences will appreciate the gravel in Mark's voice. The second track "Her Shoes" is actually one of the album's finest moments. The instrumentation, vocal performance and lyrics all combine well to create a full-bodied musical experience.

The biggest surprise on the album is the title track which fuses rock, blues and country, but the best song on the album is the R&B-tinged "All Right To Be Me." This cut offers a subtle and even vulnerable performance by Mark Cullimore that is refreshing and honest.

"Let The Beast Run" showcases Barefoot Mark as the honest musician that he is. His friends certainly contribute to the project in a positive way, but the album is truly all about Mark Cullimore. Indeed, listeners will want to sit back, kick off their shoes off and enjoy the toe-tapping fun of Barefoot Mark. CountryChart.com