There are unsung heroes of rock and roll, and then there are complicated cases like Mark Lanegan. The Washington State-born rocker with the voice like a shifting fog earned a spot in rock history as singer for the 1990s slacker psychedelic group the Screaming Trees — remember Since those hair-tossing days, Lanegan has kept his credibility fresh by releasing occasional solo albums (last year's was beat-driven and moodily wonderful), working with bands like and making leather-and-lace duets with various female singers, most notably , formerly of indie favorites . This man doesn't have to worry about being forgotten.
Yet describing Lanegan as a cult figure fails to communicate how very busy — and relevant — he keeps himself. At 48, he's hitting a creative peak, collaborating with a startling variety of artists across the musical spectrum. On Record Store Day, he'll release with electronic music doyen . He's on the upcoming QOTSA album, and his band is currently touring with . He's done children's music, dipped into and embraced electronica.
And Lanegan hasn't forgotten his roots. Today sees the release of the of Above, the 1995 album from Seattle supergroup Mad Season; Lanegan provides vocals and lyrics on three newly completed tracks. Here's a playlist celebrating the many endeavors of Mark Lanegan, the hardest working secret star in the rock biz.
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