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Score! 20 Years of Merge Records
Various Artists
Score! 20 Years of Merge Records
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (20) - Disc #1

Merge is twenty years old. Part of the larger "Score!" subscription-based box set, this CD is an amazing collection of songs spanning the label's existence, covered by some of the most popular (non-Merge) indie bands aroun...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Score! 20 Years of Merge Records
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Merge Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 4/7/2009
Album Type: Limited Edition
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Style: Indie & Lo-Fi
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 673855035123

Synopsis

Product Description
Merge is twenty years old. Part of the larger "Score!" subscription-based box set, this CD is an amazing collection of songs spanning the label's existence, covered by some of the most popular (non-Merge) indie bands around, such as Quasi, Les Savy Fav, The Shins, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, The New Pornographers, Okkervil River, Death Cab For Cutie, Times New Viking, and many more. This collection is the first of only two commercially available pieces from the box set. Limited to 7,500 copies.

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CD Reviews

Best Compilation Record Released This Year
Leif Sheppard | United States | 06/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dark Was the Night was a fun idea, and it was certainly a star studded effort, but the end result was ultimately rather hollow. I don't feel the artists contributed their best efforts, and as a whole the compilation is pleasantly listenable at best and solidly mediocre at worst.



This record, "Score!", began as an equally fun idea. Twenty different artists from a myriad of different labels were conscripted to record cover songs from the Merge catalog. The result is a wonderful compilation of tunes that pay respectful tribute to the originals while still adding further interest to some songs that are awfully familiar.



I imagine nearly any indie fan can get excited about The Apples in Stereo covering Neutral Milk Hotel, Times New Viking covering Arcade Fire, or Lavender Diamond covering Destroyer. Personally I'm not even a fan of Ryan Adams or Bright Eyes, but I must say even they turn in interesting performances. Then you have The Shins covering Tenement Hall's "Plenty Is Never Enough", which is unquestionably superior to the original!



The most celebrated offering here is the pairing of the lovely St. Vincent and superband The National, who tackle "Sleep All Summer" (originally by Crooked Fingers). It's a beautiful cover that features that trademark National horn section to great aplomb - and who would've guessed that Matt Berninger's gravely vocals would combine so sweetly with such a delicate voice like Annie Clark's?



My personal favorite, however, is "Yeah Oh Yeah" by Tracey Thorn and Jens Lekman. Thorn's soulful vocals and Lekman's deadpan delivery add volumes to the track, a Magnetic Fields favorite from their triple disc "69 Love Songs". Alternating between haunting and hilarious, this track will surely feature among my top ten songs of the year. Forget the Alison Krauss and Robert Plant album, I fervently want to see a full-length record from Thorn and Lekman!



"Score!" is an outstanding compilation and one of the most exciting and unique releases of 2009. Aside from all I've mentioned, you also receive twelve other tracks ranging from the noisy but melodic "Beautiful Things" by Quasi to the sixties pop of The New Pornographers doing "Don't Destroy This Night". I give this record the highest recommendation!"