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Mark Sandman: Sandbox

Steve LaBate, Paste, 1 February 2005

DARK, WITTY, LONELY, BRILLIANT, TRAGIC — Mark Sandman was all these things. Fronting legendary Boston band Morphine, he realized his unique vision, creating a style of music he dubbed "low rock": poetic lyrics sprawled across a booming foundation of electric slide bass, double-baritone sax and pounding drums. Sadly, after nearly a decade with Morphine, the 47-year-old Sandman collapsed onstage in 1999 at a festival in Rome, Italy. He was rushed to the hospital, but was dead on arrival, the victim of a massive heart attack.

Total word count of piece: 353

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