At the start of this album – you can hear a removal van being closed and driven away as Merz recounts the story of being evicted and moved on from his house. Its the story of him and his lorry.
Merz is another of a seemingly endless stream of UK singer/songwriters armed with a guitar, some folky melodies and a razor sharp command of the english language. While there is no shortage of these singers – this guy (like Fink) before him brings enough inventiveness to the party to make this a really interesting album
This is truly a lovely album – with its opening, title track reminding me of Simon and Garfunkel – all brushed drums and hushed harmonies. The second track is ‘Call Me’, set against slightly bluesy guitar and hummed backing before building to a lush layered affair with some nice subtle vocal samples – sort of reminds me of an Athlete track.
‘Shun’ is more of an electronic affair – with a great bassline and some cool keyboard sounds against a Hot Chip style vocal – which finishes a bit unfortunately with some 80′s style jazz funk key stabs – which could well be a bit ironic, but were the only lowpoint on the album for me. Your mileage may vary of course.
Other highlights on the album include; ‘Silver Moon Ladders’ which sounds as good as its title, all dreamy guitars and vocals, and ‘Presume too Much’ – which is a great track which again, reminds me a little bit of Athlete – great chorus and super uplifting lyrics.
So, let the sun shine down, down upon me,
Then I’ll have everything I need,
And if you think I’m being abrupt, you think that this is tough,
Well – presume too much.
I’m writing this review on the train from Liverpool to London and its feels wholly appropriate to have this on my Zune as I whizz through the green fields of the midlands, its a very British album.
Moi et mon Camion was released on the 24th March – but didn’t seem to have much wind behind it, so you may have missed it. It is definitely worth checking out. Click more for the full tracklisting.
More »
By: mattr
Category: music
Dover from Shakespeare Cliff – not the prettiest of views, but all the same…sent to Quarry Bank in Staffs in September 1918. There seems to be a lot less ferry traffic than more recent pictures. Click more for the full (faded) message.
More »
I started the day off at about £30 – but a good win on the National (I backed the winner), and a nice 6 game yankee on the football has seen me right. Happy Days!
We are the Village Green Preservation Society.
God save Donald Duck, vaudeville and variety.
We are the Desperate Dan Apreciation Society.
God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties.
Preserving the old ways from being abused.
Protecting the new ways, for me and for you.
What more can we do?
We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society.
God save Mrs. Mopp and good old Mother Riley.
We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium.
God save the George Cross, and all those who were awarded them.
We are the Sherlock Holmes English-speaking Vernacular.
God save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula.
We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity.
God save little shops, china cups, and virginity.
We are the Skyscraper Condemnation Affiliate.
God save Tudor houses, antique tables, and billiards.
Preserving the old ways from being abused.
Protecting the new ways, for me and for you.
What more can we do?
God save the village green!
Ray Davies – The Kinks (1968)
I cannot think of anything more English or more lovely than this song – and I’ve been enjoying the Kate Rusby version of this for a few weeks now.
By: mattr
Category: music
I got 26 – how many can you get in this nice little flash game that tests how many elements from the periodic table you can guess. I failed dismally.
They also have games that test your knowledge of US States, European Countries, US presidents and deadly sins!
@gapingvoid gets it dead right (as usual) over on twitter
"Excuse me homey – do you think about me" – Wicked rhyme from the new Kanye West video featuring Chris Martin from Coldplay…
Kanye West is one of the few visionaries left in the rap game…this is an excellent tune.
By: mattr
Category: music
What a beauty – half reference book, half postcard – the Forth Road Bridge is featured on this card sent to Grove Road in Chatham, Kent (in I’d imagine – the 50′s), as Saint rightly points out in the comments – the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964 – so its a later card – click more for the message.
More »
Elbow have released a great video for ‘One Day like This’ – the anthemic favourite from the Seldom Seen Kid album that is most likely to be a crossover hit when it is released.
The video is superbly shot – with influences of Spike Jonze – as a guy standing on the sidewalk juggles his ‘condos for sale’ sign in time to the massive chorus.
YouTube has disabled the embedding of the video – so heres a link direct to the page.
As a sidenote – why do YouTube disable embedding – are they discouraging people spreading the word?
By: mattr
Category: music
At the start of this album – you can hear a removal van being closed and driven away as Merz recounts the story of being evicted and moved on from his house. Its the story of him and his lorry.
Recent Comments