Radio bound?
Merlins claim to have created indie pop/rock that has radio play written all over it but that isn't necessarily a compliment. Certainly, this reviewer has a face that is constantly being told its perfect for radio and there has been a gradual realisation that this is in fact, an insult.
So do Merlins have what it takes to become better known and is radio play that important for a band anymore? With all these social network sites and ever-expanding Television channels, will the radio continue to help breaking new bands or will it eventually turn to sludge, over-ran by talk channels and the blandness that is Real Radio. Real Radio, fucking unreal radio more like, given how pish it is. If you come from a part of Britain that currently does not provide Real Radio a broadcasting licence, thank your lucky stars and pray that the situation never changes.
Okay, this review kinda went off on a tangent there but that's partly due to the album not doing much to grab the attention or justifying why this should remain a review of the album and not become a petition to save the nation from regurgitated radio.
'Heavy Bag' has a bewildering change halfway through that gives the impression that the song has ended and an entirely new one has begun, as the guitars are swapped for the light electronic plinky sounds and whilst the album is crying out for a galvanising moment to kick on from, the band seem satisfied stuck in their groove and gear.
'Mr Lady Killer' hints at possibly upping the tempo and providing some drive but it tails off quickly and the throaty growl of Sav Campbell makes the cardinal sin of sounding like that oik from the Stereophonics.
And as every new songs starts, we're physically rooting for the band to lifT themselves from the blandness and even when they try to mix it up a bit on 'Shake It On The Dance Floor', it all just sounds a bit pointless. There are scores of bands better than this, probably loads of unsigned bands at that, and the opportunity costs of this record are limitless. This reviewer could have spent his time listening to something else, perhaps hearing a better record and offering a band that deserves a thumb up its chance. Any time Merlins appear on stage they could be depriving a band who could rock your world the opportunity and with their record label deal, they could be depriving a band who could really make a difference with a quality album the opportunity to do so. Its impossible to listen to this record and not just think of what a waste its all been.
Theres no greater crime in music (well, if you discount what Michael Jackson and Gary Glitter did and of course the on-going case against Phil Spector is a bit serious as well), well, lets rephrase that, its really annoying when a band releases an album and its hard to get worked up either way about it. 'No Rehearsal' exists and theres not much more to be said about it, its not a poor album and its clear the band have worked on it and theres a lot of people willing to support it but nah, in any amount of time, this is not going to be an album that will be replayed unless there is a personal involvement in the creation of this record.
'Rise And Fall' is half-decent but it still sounds like a B-side from Oasis around the 'Standing On The Shoulder of Giants' era and that again proves the point, if one of the best songs on the album sounds like a B-side from a band at their lowest ebb, its maybe not going to get too many people excited.
Merlins, please don't take it personally and if you can come back with something better and more invigorated, then please do, but this album lacks any spark of magic and no matter the volume level or the time of day its listened to (and believe me, every opportunity was afforded here) theres nothing on this record that stands up to be counted.