Album Review

The Merrylees – For You/ The Coroner

• 31st Jan 2013

Edinburgh’s The Merrylees have a new single out, featuring two rather nice songs. The band’s country rock approach has clear psychedelic influences and features some lovely melodies and sparkling guitar licks, which they combine with skiffle style percussion to give a very rhythmic and tuneful sound.

For You starts slowly with a ripple of acoustic guitar before that drum beat comes in, closely followed by fine harmonised vocals. The love song then bursts to life with lyrics that tell of longing in a passionate fashion. The pace picks up as the track progresses, and a fine trumpet melody cuts through over the guitars. It’s a complex sound but well produced with every instrument playing its part.

The Coroner is a darker song, the vocals slightly slower and deeper in tone. The ever present skiffle drum beat sets the pace and there is some very nice guitar work in there too, a mix of subtle riffs and short lead parts. Again the harmonies give a big sound, backing the lead vocal well.

The two songs here give a good introduction to the sound of a very good young band. While there are clear 60s and 70s inspirations in their music, they have added their own stamp to give a sound that is fresh and appealing.

Check out The Merrylees on tour if you can – they are an excellent live band and will be supporting Folks in Glasgow on 1 February and in Manchester on 2nd.

Venue: For You/ The Coroner
Support Band: Eighties Vinyl Records