It was almost three years ago that I reviewed a double EP from Syracuse, NY’s Merit and said I heard “a talented band that hadn’t yet found their identity” and that the record was good and “significantly more cohesive than their previous release” but that it “still retains a little of that 311 meets Incubus groove-oriented party rock vibe” of their 2004 debut album When We Fight. Well, that was then and this is now, and their new album, Arson Is For Lovers, shows that Merit has grown by leaps and bounds as a band during the last three years.
Their (now) razor-sharp punky pop-rock sound sound no longer wanders off in directions unbecoming to the band. Instead, we have been treated to a hefty dose of buoyant pop-rock that is a little indie and a little punk without being anything less than totally radio friendly. Yes, Merit is a female-fronted four-piece so just imagine a cross between Paramore and Rainer Maria with a little hint of Hey Mercedes guitar. It is surprisingly awesome in the same sort of way that Paramore’s Riot! was a few years ago (minus the teenage drama).
The thing about Merit that (thankfully) hasn’t changed is just how powerful singer Brenna Merrit’s pipes are. It all adds up to the fact that (despite appearing to be just another pop-rock record) Arson Is For Lovers is much more than that and one of my favorite releases of Q1 2009. It is available digitally for free from wwwgomeritgo.com.
MP3 | Merit – Cut And Run Arson Is For Lovers
MP3 | Merit – Fess Up Arson Is For Lovers
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I’m from Syracuse, and have been paying attention to these guys for a few years now, and it’s amazing how far they’ve come. They’ve really seemed to find their groove, and they definitely have gotten better with time.
I downloaded this as soon as it came out and I haven’t stopped listening to it since.
Great review….right on target… Merit is gona break out big time!
I just caught wind of Merit over on Midwestern Housewives and went to Hype to see if they’d gotten much exposure. It figures that you were already on it! :p
You’re so right about Brenna Merit’s voice, I’m hooked.