Customer Reviews

Burning in the Sun [Vinyl]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

At first listen, Blue Merle, a new band from Nashville, is easily mistaken for mellow British rockers Coldplay. Lead singer Luke Reynolds' use of falsetto bears a disturbing resemblance to Coldplay's front man Chris Martin. The timbre of the two bands is similar, but Blue Merle's inclusion of the mandolin, fiddle, guitar, upright bass, drums, djembe, and organ sheds a distinct light on Burning In The Sun. This collection of instruments, rare in today's pop music, gives Blue Merle's debut album a fresh, complete, and multi-dimensional appeal.

A somber recollection of a sweetheart is reveled in "Stay." The orchestra featured in this grief-stricken song causes the listener to literally feel their heart breaking. Reynolds' voice soothes the listener by insisting, "And we ain't together, But you stay with me." Similar emotionally potent ballads include "If I Could" and "Every Ship Must Sail Away."

The title track "Burning In The Sun" is about trying to get away from an unwanted break up. Reynolds pleads "It wasn't part of the plan, What was I supposed to do, But run and run." The imagery of rushing but not getting there fast enough is exquisitely executed through the racing chaos of the mandolin, fiddle, and percussion.

A good substitute for a morning cup of coffee is the animated "Either Way It Goes." This song comes alive with an intricate rhythm section complete with cowbell, drums, djembe, shaker, and tambourine.

Reynolds wrote all the songs on the album and is an adequate writer for this being his first album. Many of the lyrics are straightforward, requiring little in-depth analysis from the listener, yet they are empathetic.

With time, Blue Merle will break the Coldplay stereotype because they're an exceptional band with a wealth of potential. Their debut Burning In The Sun is a passionate, sentimental album that embraces tightly at every beat.

I was at a certain record store, trying to avoid the people on the next stool competing for some sort of a public display of affection award, when I slapped on the headphones and picked 'Blue Merle'. Reminds me of dogs. I like dogs.

Normally, I jet from one track to the other, rapidly making decisions like... hate it, hate it, hate it, too poppy, too girlie.... but I listened to the first song all the way through... and then I listened to the second song all the way through, and then I knew that this CD was my new family. I clutched it close like a new puppy.

I brought it into my sacred painting studio space. This space is reserved for inspiration and hard work. Blue Merle definitely qualifies in those categories.

Blue Merle is hard to describe and even more difficult to catagorize. Their debut album is excellent if you are looking for a break from everything else you have heard recently. All you need to know is this - the band consists of a stand-up bass, drums, mandolin, electric violin/fiddle, guitar, and wide-ranging vocal stylings (yes slightly reminiscent of Coldplay). The lyrics are understandable and definately relatable and memorable. The songs are catchy, but not quite danceable. They are all great guys and great musicians - and definatly make my "hit" list.

I picked this up after hearing it at a local music store and mistaking it for a new Coldplay release. Once I listened to the album, though, it's really nothing like Coldplay except for the similar voices. Luke Reynolds' vocals are smoother and more subtle than Chris Martin's, though - it almost sounds like a male Imogen Heap (of Frou Frou), with the sudden leaps in pitch.

The music doesn't sound much like Coldplay or Dave Matthews to me, either. Some of the more rhythmic tracks, like "Lucky To Know You," sound a bit like Snow Patrol, but the slower, softer ones are really more individual. Their songs use intricate rhythmic patterns, often in lilting threes, and lovely chord structures between violin and guitars. A lot of the instrumentals use Eastern and pentatonic scales, but in the context of mellow, pretty, Western music.

Just don't go into it expecting Coldplay - it's much different once you listen beyond the vocal style. This album has a great variety of moods and sounds that's really all its own, and I am sure we'll be hearing great things from Blue Merle in the future.

I can't claim credit for the title of this review, but it's the best way to describe the unique and comforting sound from Blue Merle.

Thanks to lead singer Luke Reynolds' vocals, you could almost mistake any song on here for a Coldplay tune until you hear Beau Stapleton's mandolin provide a subtle percussive backdrop. Don't think Bill Monroe playing Jed Clampett, rather, the mandolin infuses a unique gusto to what could otherwise be an average pop-album.

These songs are refreshingly lean. The vocals and melodies enjoy the spotlight while the instruments lay down a supportive but vital background.

I enjoy the way this album sounds. It's soothing but lively.

This album is an unexpected surprise, unless you have been to their website and heard clips of the songs. On the basis of those song clips - I bought this album and it was well worth the money spent. This is one of the more interesting albums I've listened to in a while. They sound a bit like Coldplay on one or two songs, but much of the album is their own distinct sound. Enjoy!

In Paste Magazine's "Ears We Trust" column, DJ Bruce Warren described Blue Merle's sound as "Coldplay + Nickel Creek." The Coldplay comparison is apt - singer Luke Reynolds sounds a lot like Coldplay's Chris Martin - but there's not much Nickel Creek in their tunes. Comparisons aside, I've enjoyed listening to the CD, especially the relatively strong songwriting and skilled arrangements and production. Best songs: "Lucky to Know You" and "Boxcar Racer."

I first heard "Burning in the Sun" on the radio about a month ago, and immediately feel in love with it. I listened to it all the time until the cd came out a few days ago, and since it has been the only sound in my ears. The song that struck me the most is "Part of Your History" it is a beautifully written soft song with the type of lyrics that "knock you down." This album is really like Coldplay meets Nickel Creek, but the essence is something more familiar and unique. Do not hesitate if you like Coldplay, Alexi Murdoch, Joseph Arthur, The Fray, or South.

10/10

This is a great debut effort. I found it very easy to listen to and it is very well produced. This is the perfect addition to anyone's cd portfolio. It is different enough to really fit into a cd compilation for traveling or a party. You can mix this in on any Saturday morning along with your Jack Johnson or Josh Rouse. It has a really Americana feel that is not as far out there as Wilco, but with a gritty feel. It also has a couple of really smooth tracks "Stay" and "Every Ship Must Sail Away" that provide a perfect balance. This is a diverse representation of their work without doing something weird or commercial. Looking forward to hearing their next project.

I will start this review by saying I LOVE THIS ALBUM! Its great. Period. It's some of the freshest music out there right now. The instrumentation gives it a texture that really turns an ear. Acoustic guitars, mandolins and fiddles blend to make an interesting feel. Though the instruments suggest it, this is not bluegrass. Nevetheless, Blue Merle has a sound that is so unique, except that their singer sounds like the Coldplay frontman's clone. However, musically this is what Coldplay should sound like. Coldplay is just a little too simple and Blue Merle uses just a little more creativity and complexity in their songwriting. There's just more going on here. The music is more dynamic. It builds, peaks, terraces, thickens, and sprawls out into a light airy atmosphere, all in the same song. The instruments play a bigger role in the music. The mandolin part in the title track, the fiddle solos on "Lucky to Know You" and "Places", the bowed bass line and acoustic guitar solo in "Stay", the airy string arrangements, the firey mandolin in the chorus of "Boxcar Racer", the fast lines at the beginning of "Either Way it Goes" and the crooning mandolin and fiddle on "Part of Your History" all add to the texture and the excitement of the album. There are also good vocal harmonies on the album that you don't hear from groups like Coldplay. The musicianship on this album overall is just a little more mature that what you find on the Top Seller racks these days.
Another thing to note about this album is the lyrics. Especially on "Stay" and "Places." The lyrics act as pure poetry and say a little more than "O baby I love you" and "Let's make the world a Better Place" and "O baby I miss you." This album is a must have. I can't wait to see what these guys put out next.