Search - Merrick :: Merrick

Brilliant. Gorgeous Harmonies, Great Songwriting.

10/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Merrick are two gals from Southern California. Their names (how precious is this) are Bryony and Inara. Their songs are suffused with acoustic guitars and my roommate has likened their sound to Jill Sobule and Suzanne Vega. But this isn't just another rehash of the girl-folk formula. Their self-titled, self-released debut disc is a musically inventive album that is immediately accessible and surprisingly consistent. Despite a decided lo-fi cast to the recording, Merrick make excellent use of a range of textures, from somber solo violin lines to their haunting, shimmering vocal harmonies. The songs manage to be both simple and captivating in both lyrics and music, a refreshing change from recent female songwriters who tend to couple self-consciously poetic lyrics with unimiginative strumming. I was first hooked when I heard the indescribably good "Ladders to Fire" at [website], but the rest of the disc is equally worthwhile. Oh yeah, and they're hella nice too."

Impressive Debut

Brian A. Wolters | Cabot, Arkansas | 11/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was so thrilled to find this album. I first heard the music of Bryony and Inara when I saw the Minus Man trailer. There was this very haunting chant at the end of the trailer and I was hooked. So, I purchased the Minus Man soundtrack for their songs (I was surprised that the rest of the soundtrack was quite good as well.) So then I went on a hunt to find music by these two, but I was having problems locating it. Through luck, I found out that they were also know as Merrick and the rest is, well you know...Merrick is an impressive debut album. They have a sound all their own but I would say that if you take the best of The Roches, The Sundays, Throwing Muses and add a dash of The Indigo Girls and The Cranberries, then you may know what to expect. But always expect the unexpected. This album is full of haunting melodies, brilliant harmonies and an overall enchanting sound.The album opens with the good Ladders to Fall but I was really taken by Adios. I just love the way the song unfolds and the harmonies are simply awesome. Of course, I need to mention Infinity. This song was featured on the Minus Man soundtrack and is here as well if a bit different. I get goose bumps every time I hear the way the word "big" is sung in Infinity. I can't believe some of the "bad" reviews I've seen about Merrick posted in their web site; their voices do not crack. They blend gorgeously and enter your soul. These are the kind of voices that you would like sung softly in your ear.I wouldn't hesitate in picking up this album. Just as XTC's Wasp Star was the most underrated album of 2000, this could be 2001's Wasp Star."