“He travels the fastest who travels alone.”

-Rudyard Kipling

With hard work and dedication, Thomas Link (aka Mister Link) is proving out Rudyard Kipling’s poetic assertion. Mister Link now has bragging rights to a full-length recording under its belt, and another one on the way. Link is quickly realizing that individualistic self-reliance may have been his missing link all along.

In the age old nature versus nurture debate, Link clearly believes he was born a musician, rather than merely choosing the creative vocation.

“Music is not something I choose, it chose me,” he admits. “It’s not something I do, it’s something I am. I love music and its corollary, poetry, because it speaks with words and tongues I cannot otherwise say, and condenses all things into their essence.”

Stylistically, many have already linked this Torrance, CA musician to the mystical essence of another famous Southern California rock icon. “As a singer, I’m often compared to Jim Morrison.” However, Link doesn’t quite see this Doors connection. “I don’t know why other than I’m a baritone,” he speculates. “Maybe it’s the poetic bent.”

This “poetic bent,” by the way, is one artistic characteristic setting Link’s music apart from more pedestrian, by-the-numbers rock & roll. His verses are set to diverse sonic elements derived from The Cars, White Stripes and R.E.M.-flavored music. “I’m a true Romantic poet in some ways, like Shelly and Byron with a touch of Yeats’ mysticism,” he explains. “I love rhymes from another era.”

With that said, Link is by no means any snooty, overly highbrow artiste. He’s, instead, a self-described fan of Kurt Cobain, Credence Clearwater Revival, Rage Against The Machine, Green Day, Metallica, No Doubt and Johnny Cash. He’s is all about whatever touches an emotional nerve, and follows “wherever stories are told with passion, hunger, humor, wit and angst. I am of no time, I am of every time.”

Link cut his musical teeth as a drummer, before mastering a multitude of other instruments, in addition to developing songwriting skills. And more than a mere rocker, Link is a well-rounded musician. “I love music from every era,” he states emphatically. “I celebrate country and symphony and jazz and rock. I share the joy of creation and the release of performance. I honor those who have blazed trails before me and I embrace those who follow after.”

For evidence of Link’s musical eclecticism, look no further than “Swingin’ Christmas,” an inspired blast from the past he describes as “unabashed big band swing. But then it is a Christmas song.” He reminds us that “so much of Christmas music is filled with the sounds of great jazz and swing favorites by modern artists, like Michael Buble and Harry Connick Jr., as well as classic swing-era singers, like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. If Jim Morrison sang swing, who knows what we’d get! So why not a little Christmas tribute in song?

However, this particular swinging salute is more a side path than a main road. “Most of my music is rock,” he says, “with elements of classic, modern, country-rock, folk and even a little island calypso (see also the island-aligned “Deserted Sand”).” A reviewer for We are Listening agreed, saying Link’s “voice has great qualities and color to it! Of course, reminiscent of Jim Morrison, but also it has its own unique expression to it.” This reviewer also heard traces of R.E.M., The Doors, The B-52s and Led Zeppelin in Link’s early efforts.

Ultimately, Link describes himself as “dedicated and determined, maybe even a little obsessed with my music and writing.” Such individualized obsession should make Kipling proud, listeners pleased, and Mister Link’s journey fulfilling.

	Do it in the Name of Love Title track from the latest album from Mister Link! What will you do in the name of Love?	CASR Score 7.66	Retro
	Sixteen Tons “Sixteen Tons” is Mister Link’s take on Merle Travis’s classic lament of hard times and unforgiving employment giving it a new funky, jazz-rock feel: still a reminder that every generation faces trial and tribulation in a harsh world. Licensed Cover	CASR Score 7.85	Funk
	Photoshop Girlfriend Some say a bit like the Cars, or maybe the Tubes? Don't know, but hopefully you'll like this rock song with a bit of a pop-retro feel.	CASR Score 8.18	Alternative Pop Rock
	Swingin' Christmas I'm an unrepentant rocker, but so much of Christmas is filled with the sounds of great jazz and swing favorites by modern artists like Michael Buble’ and Harry Connick Jr., as well as classic swing-era singers like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet - why not a little Christmas tribute in song!	CASR Score 8.25	Big Band
	Deserted Sand Just a fun bit of calypso influenced rock with a touch of Harry Belafonte meets Jimmy Buffet. Maybe if Jim Morrison lived in Jamaica...	CASR Score 8.03	Calypso
	Jesus Wasn't Hungry Every great teacher speaks to us of helping the hungry and homeless - who is listening?	CASR Score 8	Retro Rock
	Act 1 In every life, Love begins a new chapter, and new act in the human drama.	CASR Score 7.95	Singer-Songwriter
	I'll Take You Away Is it true love, marriage, and chance for escape and redemption? Take my hand and I'll take you away!	CASR Score 7.95	Adult Contemporary
	I'm Crazy The Internet is a dark and scary place, but when you're crazy in love, who cares?	CASR Score 7.16	Adult Alternative
	Color Blind Love should be Color Blind... why is it so hard to accept each other for who we are?	CASR Score 8.2	Retro
	My Love Song Just a little country-esqe take on why I write songs of love - for you!	CASR Score 8.01	Country Rock
	Tin Soldier	CASR Score 8.12	Acoustic Singer-Songwriter
	Native Son True love knows know boundaries - no race or color. Why is that so revolutionary?	CASR Score 8.27	Rock
	That's Life Sometimes you get in the way... and life runs you over! Oh well... That's Life!	CASR Score 8.22	Blues Rock
	Bionic Man Can the pain of love drive one man to leave his humanity behind?	CASR Score 8.21	neogrunge
	Run On (God Is Gonna Cut You Down) Mister Link's own take on a traditional folk song made famous by performers like Johnny Cash, Elvis, Moby, Tom Jones, and others. Venturing away from traditional roots to a stripped down, alternative blues-rock take on this song, it nevertheless retains that plaintive, admonition that evil eventual finds its just reward.	CASR Score 8.16	Alternative Blues Rock

DMD Compact Disc Online Do it in the Name of Love Rock with a social conscience that still maintains a spirit of fun, romance, and an occasional touch of wistful longing: a bit modern, a bit retro, a little bit bluesy, a little bit pop.

Rock

info

Comments                                                Add new Comment   View All

kalvindarwa	6/25/2023 11:45:47 PM That's why we offer affordable towing rates for all of our customers. J&M Windermere Towing
Chandra Moon	6/18/2010 3:34:08 PM Your story reminds me a bit of me - I wrote my first song after the kids left home and had to teach myself the guitar to get the tunes out! Good luck here - some great tracks!
		View All