Girandole

The Mertons | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 25, 1999
• Label: Black Dog
• ASIN: B00002JV2K
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Had Enough

2. Fitful

3. Anyway the Letterbomb

4. Interim

5. Shell Game at Jefferson

6. Manna

7. What You Want

8. Strain

9. Everything's Gone

10. Kerosene Lamp

11. Guess I'd Better Have

12. Firelight

13. Starbilly

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mertons - Girandole, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Girandole (Audio CD)

I came across this album amidst a pile of dissapointments in the No Depression genre... Girandole is a refreshing twist amidst a multitude of bands that can't measure up to the likes of Jeff Tweedy, Jay farrar, and Ryan Adams. In short, a great album- itelligent lyrics and interesting melodies.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong, finely-crafted roots rock, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Girandole (Audio CD)

This, the second release from The Mertons is a showcase of talent that only proves the fact that the crew from Black Dog records knows a good thing when they hear it. Stronger and more cohesive than their previous effort, "A Standing Ground", "Girandole" boosts singer/guitarist J.P. Hanly's knack for storytelling of past lives and loves won and lost to a new level. This is "Kentucky Core" music at its finest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Driven, story-telling roots rock with an edge, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Girandole (Audio CD)

Singer J.P. Hanley has a story to tell. In fact, he's full of them. One listen to this Kentucky bred outfit and you quickly realize this is not your average country-twinged roots rock band. As a matter of fact, the Mertons make clear their debt to early REM and the late Uncle Tupelo just as you start to sense that there's a little Merle Haggard behind the curtain as well. Hanley spins yarns that are reminescent of the sleepy south of Faulkner, with strong driving rhythms that make you want to set out cross country for a few weeks with your CD on repeat. I've managed to catch these guys several times live here in the southeast, and all I can say is that they are certainly one of those "must see" live acts. What gives this band an edge is its willingnes to go against the shy angst of the Ferrar set, and let go to rock out with spontinaety, for example, with a little Guided By Voices, or Pavement encore, Mertons style. Check them out-you won't be dissappointed!