A few weeks ago when a Twitter campaign started up to get Mayor R.T. Rybak to name Atmosphere's "Shhh" the official song of Minneapolis, Mark Mallman piped in with a tweet suggesting his upcoming single might also be a good candidate. He wasn't just talking cocky rock-star jive, either: The track is actually called "Minneapolis," and it's quite a loving tribute to the Waukesha, Wis., native's adopted hometown.
Newly available online today at iTunes, the song is an operatic, epic rock anthem that references the self-described Marathon Man's arrival on the scene ("On 26th Street, I was 20 years old / I dreamed about my first First Avenue show"). It then describes his urge to always return here from the road. Sings Mallman, "I've seen a lot of cities / I've spilled a lot of wine / I got the music and it all feel fine ... all I ever wanted was Central Time." It ends with the refrain, "Get me back to Minneapolis."
Not sure if it's deserving of official-song status at City Hall, but the song should at least be good for some Target Field rotation and Current 89.3 airplay. Mallman is throwing a single-release party Oct. 14 at 7th Street Entry. That's one gig he couldn't really host over at the Turf Club, could he?
