Customer Reviews

Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

You'll most likely enjoy this CD. Check out the free clips first though. If you liked Flagpole Sitta, there may be a few other songs on the abulm you like, but it's better to listen to check out the other songs first. As for this CD being God Awful Garbage, I disagree, but I also realize that Harvey Danger has a distinct, unique sound, and uniqueness is a bad thing these days, right?

No matter what your situation is -- breakup, people hate you, lost your job at Starbucks -- "Flagpole Sitta" is going to make you feel better. And the rest of the songs are great, too. Come one, you've got to admit, a band that sings a (punk-rock!) song about a Hitchcock movie, a (punk-rock!) song about a dying relative, and a (punk-rock!) song about being the biggest geek on earth can't be that bad. They also steer clear of all the raunchy lyrics that lots of other punk-rock groups go for. I found three objectionable words on the entire album. And the lack of bad language doesn't take away from the high emotion of "Merrymakers". Stay tuned for HD's next album. These guys are going to be the NBT. (Next Big Thing.)

I bought this CD in hopes that the other songs on the CD were as good as the famous Flagpole Sitta. I was wrong. They were better. If you havent gotten this CD yet, I suggest you do. If you dont have the money do buy it, rob somebody and buy it. if you get caught by the police, then do something to get yourself a death sentance and make sure your final request is to listen to this CD because it is THAT good. You dont believe me? I offer you the following various lyrics from the songs on this CD:

"Run from nowhere, nowhere follows you" ~Wrecking ball
"You can't swim when you've been dead a hundred years"~ Carlotta Valdez
"All I ever wanted to be was a wooly muffler on your naked neck; double-wrap me when its cold"
"Friends will turn against you, people dissapoint you every time. so if you've got greatness in you, woudl you do us all a favor, and keep it to yourself?" ~ both from Wooly Muffler (the whole song is worth putting here but im not going to because it only gives you 1000 words)
"We'll have problems yeah, then we'll have bigger ones"~ Problems and Bigger Ones
"Like a zero drowning in a sea of higher numbers- I think that i liked you better when you just ignored me"
"Here's something beautiful now smash it, to bits" ~Terminal Annex
"Just enough knowledge to know I dont know anything"
"some people will surprise you with a real depth of feeling"
"Nobody likes what I like, thats how I like it" ~all three from Radio Silence

So Send me to the hospital for nerves because this whole CD is musical genious.

Harvey Danger is a glorious band. This debut album, which amazingly enough is mostly a collection of demo recordings, strikes a cord in me no matter what song I hear. The first time you hear it, you might not appreciate it much, but listen to it again. The lyrics are amazing, and the melodies are beautiful. Anyone who says otherwise, doesn't get it... I can only assume them ignorant.

I bought this CD the summer of '98 listened to it once, not even all the way through, and tossed it away in my room. A few weeks ago I was cleaning my room up (yay me) and found it stuck inbetween the pages of an old magazine. Needless to say I popped it in my CD player and gave it a chance. All I can say is "Wow!". I'm just going through some rough times in my life and this CD really relates to me now. I find its great to put it in your personal CD player and just go lay out in a field and stare up at the clouds. Often times we forget that there's more to life than just school, jobs, family, lovers, money, politicans, television, and the internet... Maybe I'm putting way to much thought into this - Maybe not. However, I like music that brings out emotion. With songs like "Woolly Muffler", "Problems and Bigger Ones", "Jack the Lion", "Terminal Annex", and "Wrecking Ball" these guys really ooze emotion even if the songs have funny names.

I have owned this cd since it was released and over the years have collected all of their work. Although my musical base has changed tremendously since 8th grade this album continues to be a favorite. It was the first cd that I picked out and bought for myself because of Flagpole Sitta, and it has turned out to be my lease favorite of the entire album. Actually absolutely nothing is better than Jack the Lion.

If you have a chance to check out their 2nd release "King James Version" you should, it is just as fantastic as thir first release. They did a great performance on Leno shortly after its release. I've got my fingers crossed that "Little by Little" will grow on me a little more, and that there are more albums on their way!

Also, there is a little documentary about the band on the DVD of "Soul Survivor" that is really fun.

I didn't really know that other people knew about the greatness of Harvey Danger until I read these reviews but I'm glad that other people are so lucky as to have had the pleasure to hear their music. Every song brings something different. Some you can relate to and some you can't understand. But they're all wonderful. I've had this CD for years now and I can still listen to it as if it were something new. They have a sound that's all their own. And the best song is easily Terminal Annex.

For those of you who know only Harvey Danger's hit "Flagpole Sitta", you know little about the band. On Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?, Harvey Danger offers 10 excellent tracks with lofty emotion and impressive lyrics. The whole CD is smart, witty, cynical, and melodic; all at the same time. Yet they still manage to maintain a good alternative rock sound. I think it's safe to say if you loved "Flagpole Sitta", then you will also love this entire CD. Harvey Danger is another gleaming Seattle band (although not with the grunge feel Nirvana and Soundgarden offered) that will please your music tastes; no matter what they are. Here, in two brief paragraphs, is an overview of each song.

The album starts with "Carlotta Valdez", the shortest track on the CD. It's an amusing song that twists through some weird lyrics; including passages ranging from Jimmy Stewart to jumping into the San Francisco Bay. I don't really understand any of the lyrics, but the music flows brilliantly with them nevertheless. And "Flagpole Sitta" is no different. Yet the lyrics seem to be more smoothed this time around. Whereas in "Carlotta Valdez" you won't know what they're talking about. Harvey Danger's first single tackles the subjects of getting your tongue pierced, becoming amputated, paranoia, and even running with moles. Its fast beats and catchy lyrics are probably what made it so popular. Incidentally, the first two songs don't offer much we can relate to. Still, you can enjoy both of them; especially "Flagpole Sitta". But as you hear "Woolly Muffler", you'll appreciate their lyrics much, much more. The song starts `all I ever wanted to be was a woolly muffler on your naked neck'. A bold start, that leads us into a series of relationship-like quotes. It's a great look at anti-socialism and the inconsiderate sides of people. It is one of my five favorites on Merrymakers; and it ends (with selected sarcasm) `I'm elated now'. Harvey Danger's second single was "Private Helicopter". Although it is a good song, I don't think it was fit for the second spot. It's a fun look ex-girlfriends and ex-friends and helicopters. Lead singer Sean Nelson turns a seemingly mediocre song (musically) into a reason to call your forgotten friend. Rounding out the first half of the CD, we have "Problems And Bigger Ones". Here HD gives us more wonderful lyrics; and even manages to slip in a comment of a Bob Dylan line, as they say `it doesn't make me cry to hear Dylan say...'. It's a good song lyrically, though not as pleasantly pleasing as "Woolly Muffler".

As the second half of the CD begins, you will find my favorite song: "Jack The Lion". More great lyrics and more stellar music are what make this song what it is. Although I'm not too sure what they're actually speaking of (again), it's the best song on the album besides "Flagpole Sitta"; and probably should have been single number two. "Old Hat" is next. The title doesn't really speak for itself, as it is liable to confuse you once more. It's good still, and better than "Terminal Annex". "Terminal Annex" (sometimes called "[Down At The] T.A.") may be the low point of the CD, but it holds some of the best lyrics of the album. For example, the lyric `dreaming of the fistfight I never got into / thinking of the mean shxt I wish I'd said to you' is something anyone can admit they'd thought about. Its tune may be a little rancid, but its lyrics will make up for that. "Wrecking Ball" is a beautifully slow ballad-like song that you will want to sing along to over and over again. I know I do. And its words are just as suspicious and forceful as "Jack The Lion" or even "Problems". It's hard to pick this song as the best; since it is so vastly different, but even so, it manages to be my third favorite track on the CD. And just because it's not comparable to the other songs, you will still love it. The last song is "Radio Silence". It starts as "Wrecking Ball" did, yet finishes with more of a bang. Its lyrics may shock you (i.e. `just enough knowledge to know I don't know anything' or `take the cynical saint to the stake and burn it`). "Radio Silence" is truly an epic masterpiece; one you'll soon find to be unforgettable.

In conclusion, Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone? is one of the best CDs I own. No question. Every song on the album is good if not great. Harvey Danger gives us some of the finest lyrics and music that the alternative rock scene will ever see. If you've labeled Harvey Danger as a one-hit wonder, remove that label right now; and buy this CD. "Flagpole Sitta" is only a small ingredient of this album's nonstop greatness. Harvey Danger is not a pop band nor are they a heavy metal band. They are a great band; that uses abundantly balanced lyrics and alt rock in making some of the best music to come out of 1998 (and of recent years, for that matter). I could never say enough good things about this CD or this band. Pick up this album now, and I'm sure you will like it very much.

I bought this CD back when "Flagpole Sitta" was on the radio all the time, and I was disappointed when it wasn't what I expected at all. I kinda put it on the back oF my shelf and forgot about it. Terrible mistake. This past summer, I was talking about music with one of my good friends, and Harvey Danger came up. So I gave the CD another listen, and I was blown away. The lyrics are wonderfully powerful, and the arrangements are incredible. "Problems and Bigger Ones" is probably my favorite song on the album, although every track is great. Highly recommended.

The catchy punk-pop sounds of flagpole sitta were the first I heard of the four geniuses comprising Seattle rock band Harvey Danger. We're all lucky modern rock station KNDD 107.7 the end discovered these guys. Growing up fairly near to Seattle was a blessing in that I was one of the first to hear of the 'Danger boys, I can't even begin to tell you how many times I indulged in Sean Nelson's incredible lyricysm that really makes this album a must have. Even if you weren't stirred by that aweing courus on the radio: "I'm not sick but I'm not well/and i'm so hot 'cause I'm in hell" then I still strongly suggest that you give these guys a try. I guarentee you'll be blown away. Don't miss your chance to be in on what may be one of the most wrongly under-listened to bands of the decade. Top picks: Old Hat, Terminal Annex, Problems and Bigger Ones, Jack the Lion and Radio Silence. Shame you only get ten tracks, but if you want more, see "King James Version," their second 2000 release. It packs a less edgy, poppier feel but still boasts intense and pefrected wording that will leave you begging for more. Check it out. Besides, what do you have to lose?