Merit
Arson Is For Lovers
Self-Released; 2009
Chalk this up as one of the most frustrating reviews I’ve written this year. For the entirety of Arson Is For Lovers, Merit battles with itself over direction and focus, though it’s not clear whether or not the members realize it themselves. This Syracuse, NY quartet’s not-quite-overdriven guitar tones are borrowed from middle-of-the-road alternative rock, but are mixed at such a level that they prevent the strong, clear female vocals of Brenna Merritt from properly leading the group (as they should). Moreover, the straight-ahead compositional style of these songs should allow the band to revel in simplicity, but the rather tiresome rhythm section forgets to breathe, content to muster onward unceasingly.
Continue reading “Merit – Arson Is For Lovers“