Window Rolled Down

Jeff Merchant | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: True Classical
• ASIN: B000E5LFKU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,759 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY/ew.com: PopWatch - by Marc Vera

"If Nick Cave had been from California, this is what he'd sound like. ...complex haunting tales... are just as powerful."

Product Description

A purveyor of slickly arranged orchestral indie-pop with jazz and folk undertones, Jeff Merchant’s "Window Rolled Down" CD is one remarkably smooth listen, carrying the listener effortlessly along from auspicious start to fine finish. Not only do fellow Lullabies members play on some of the tracks, it also features members of Brian Wilson's Band and Stew's Band, as well as Listing Ship and other distinguished Silverlake/Los Angeles musicians. And Stew (of the Negro Problem) produced two of the tracks on this CD.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome CD, August 8, 2006

By 

P. Wims (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Window Rolled Down (Audio CD)

I wanted to say how awesome this CD is. I really mean it!. It's been a long time since I've heard a CD where there are no bad songs. I've been listening to it non-stop. This could be his "Sgt. Pepper". Here are the songs that are my favorites in order:

1) On Sidewalks & Backyards
2) Right Outside
3) Pieces & Things
4) So Completely
5) Sick Of It
6) Always to Keep
7) Low Light

All of these songs are great. And by great I mean, very melodic, great instrumentation, and great harmonies and I haven't gotten tired of the tunes yet. I actually look forward to hearing them when the CD is playing. And your talking about 7 songs that I think all have hit potential. Most artists can barely scrape up one great song per CD. Also the production of the CD is very professional. I know it sounds like I'm over doing it, but I am blown away. The rest of the CD is just simply good. Like I said, there are no bad tunes. Even the hidden track (alternate version) of "Wounds Will Heal" is good.

5.0 out of 5 stars *NEW* music worth talking about, July 18, 2006

By 

kErrY (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Window Rolled Down (Audio CD)

Jeff Merchant's "Window Rolled Down". A humble, melodically dense,incredibly rich musical tapestry, with an inter-linked storyline that,for some reason, speaks to me on an incredibly deep level at this point in time. Perfect music to curl up, listen to the rain, and pet the cat to. This record smells like jasmine, yucca blossoms, and sandalwood incense, just like Echo Park in the spring; it's an absolutely perfect song cycle, and I sincerely dig every single solitary track.

Musically, it's baroque, laid-back, and groovy, with lots of Brian Wilson-esque post-Pet Sounds sonic touches, delicious multiple vocal harmonies, varied, unique instrumentation, and an crystalline production and mix. I've never heard anything that sounds quite like it, except for maybe a track or two from The Negro Problem's "Welcome Black" album (an underrated masterpiece IMHO).

I'm still assimilating the lyrics, but I think I'm safe to say that they intertwine life in Los Angeles(lots of little LA details here and there) with the ending of a relationship, moving forward from there, and stopping along the way to more closely examine some of the reasons. Much like a mountain stream, this song cycle tumbles along in some places -- moving rapidly -- then pauses in deep, still pools, where reflection is the order of the day.

Not since Cockeyed Ghost's fine "Ludlow 6:18" album has an album moved me in this way. Man, am I ever looking forward to this record keeping my soul company through this coming spring and summer. Perfect backpacking, trout-stream music.

Yeah, I'm in love with this record...

kErrY