Customer Reviews

Unarmed Against the Dark

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i'm so excited to have found this band, even moreso because they're from nyc! finally a great female-fronted band from the big apple....the musicianship is outstanding, the lyrics nicely off the beaten path, the singer's voice beautiful and soul stirring...if you like the sundays, innocence mission or any other bands which feature beautiful female voices, you need to pick this one up.

additionally, it seems from their website like they're trying to do this without major label support, which to me is even more reason to support them...they're great artists, and they're doing their part to "fight the machine" which has exploited so many performers before them....i can't wait to see them live!

The beautiful lyrics and melodies are outstanding. The songs hit the heart and inner soul and bring back memories which have been forgotten.

This cd is great. My favorite song is all the way home

Take a second and listen to a song or two from Feathermerchants and you will want this CD. I recently saw them live at The Point in Bryn Mawr and they were terrific. It's not often that an opening act steals the show!

"Dan" is a beautiful song - my favorite on the CD - do yourself a favor and listen to this one online. If you ever get the chance to see them in person do - they are a refreshing combination of talent and fun. Great personalities and great musicians. Add Unarmed Against the Dark to your CD collection today!

Feathermerchants' latest album is one of those pleasant indie albums that you won't really remember too vividly afterwards. With nice vocals, passable songs and a backdrop of indie-folk-pop, "Unarmed Against the Dark" is an enjoyable but unexceptional listen.

Starting off with the soft "All The Way Home," the Feathermerchants blend together downtempo folky songs (the pensive "9th Ward," the downbeat "Dan" and "Reptile Mind") with vaguely poppy tunes (catchy "Daffodils"). From time to time they break out of the folk-pop mold with the vaguely gothic ballads (prayerlike "Ursuline") and a few dashes of country.

"Unarmed Against the Dark" is a nice album. Not a great album, but a nice one. It mixes a few genres and tosses in some poetry, sung with sweet vocals and with some decent background accompaniment. Except for the lead singer, there isn't anything that really stands out about Feathermerchants -- it's all okay, but not great.

The biggest musical weakness of "Unarmed" is that most of the songs sound more or less the same. The tunes are somewhat different, but they're almost all downtempo arrangements of guitar and percussion, with a dash of bass and bouzouki. For that matter, the guitar and drums aren't that original-sounding; they're capable, but not really noticeable for anything too good.

Shannon Kennedy's voice is the strongest part of Feathermerchants: assured, melodious and capable of holding up through every song. Those songs themselves tend to be quite evocative and poetic. At times the poetry stumbles in a big way ("I've come to talk before your nails get too long..."), and becomes too repetitive (the pointless "Temporary like a..." lines). But the lyrical sweetness of "Dan" and "Heartbreak Beat" make up for those.

Feathermerchants' "Unarmed Against the Dark" isn't terribly varied or unusual, but is worth a listen if pop-folk is your thing. It lacks in texture, but is still a pretty listen.

Wow, if you have any shred of emotion in you, you have to listen to this cd... this is not music that you hear-this is music that you feel. How do you define this music? Complex in thought & style - simple in heart. Between the lyrics, variety of instruments and a beautiful voice, there is always something new to hear. I first got this cd because it sounded like something different and new, and amazingly, it has grown to be so much more. The unique sound brought me in, the lyrics capture me...

This Cd encompasses a broad range of songs from pop style to soul so it offers a little bit of something for everyone. There are songs to bring you up and some to somber all featuring excellent vocals, guitar and lyrics that really make you think. The diversity is refreshing in this day of pop songs with little to no meaning behind them. "Temporary" is a definite radio hit with an easy going melody while "Daffodils" sets another mood entirely that is just as enticing. No matter what song I am listening to I like where it takes me!!!! I highly reccomend this...Enjoy the journey - armed or not!!!!!!

I LOVE THE FEATHERMERCHANTS. AM A BIG FAN OF SHANNON. MOVE OVER NORA JONES.....

LOVE THE SEXINESS OF THE MUSIC.

IF YOU ARE MELLOW, THIS IS FOR YOU!

I have been hooked on the Feathermerchants since I saw them live several years ago. Their music is so unique and a breath of fresh air. Their latest CD is no exception. "Dan" will give any listener the chills. It is both haunting and beautiful. "Temporary" is a catchy tune which you will find yourself humming all day. I would recommend that you pick this CD up - it is such a nice change from the incessant pop tunes and alternative riffs that are being overplayed on the radio. The Feathermerchants are filled with true talent and their music speaks to that talent.

For me, I've got to really like the tunes on a new album before I really start listening to the music and the lyrics. This album satisfies on all levels. The music is great and several of the songs' lyrics are just plain poetry. "Temporary," which I wouldn't say is one of my favorite songs on the album is nonetheless a seriously catchy tune that sticks with me all day long -- maybe I love it and I just don't know it.
Highly recommended album.