Redeye September 11 2003

On The Mark ... set, go!: As reported back in mid-June, the former Karma space has been under development by downtown nightlife pioneer Pablo Henderson as his way of making a final mark locally. Well, it’s opened, and for the most part it must be said that The Mark, well, hits the mark.

Regulars who can part the haze long enough to fondly recall the dusk-till-dawns they weathered at Karma will immediately note almost all the former space’s roughly hewn charm has been coated. The basic layout has been retained, and the utility closet where everybody not grindin’ on the dancefloor used to sneak away to get bumpin’ is still recognizable. But few signs of past infamy remain. A slick veneer, literally and figuratively, has been applied throughout the two levels (the entrance/ courtyard now houses a late-night Cuban sandwich shop). Wood panels and glass partitions — some encased by cascading water sheets, others creating terrariums — fashion a sleek facade. A lining of settees and curvaceous salon chairs actually makes the space feel smaller, more intimate. And skewed, rounded lines of molded ’60s mod dominate the bottom floor.

Karma defined an era. It’ll be interesting to see if this opening event’s Monday-Saturday antics mark another evolution in downtown development. Was it remarkable for you? Send remarks.

Cold War heats up: Rock ‘n’ roll’s not dead, it’s just been just re-sequenced as synth-pop. Last Sunday, New York’s Soviet joined locals I Almost Saw God in the Metro at the Earl in a showcase of serrated, serenading oscillations.

Performing amid the washed-out glare of video monitors and unsheathed fluorescent lights, Almost Saw God’s stage show came across as Man or Astro-man? meets Don Flavin gallery installation. The music was equally angular, jittery and murky-futuristic, ending in a couplet of songs marrying Suicide, Joy Division and the Doors.

While drawing on similar mechanized instrumentation, Soviet offered what’s best described as the saccharine soundtrack to a prom scene in a John Hughes film. More compelling and less alienated than on record, the group made OMD, Depeche Mode and the Psychedelic Furs proud. Soviet’s songs were gripping even with the distraction of the group’s statuesque architectural wonder of a keyboardist. Here’s to women adopting more counterculture-meets-counterrevolutionary chic. Solid thighs and songs — several assets that could give Soviet’s career legs.

Keep one RedEye open. And send all comments, questions, observations and invitations to redeye@creativeloafing.com.