to listen or purchase
Fans have been eagerly awaiting this UK golden boy's debut album ever since superstar producer Mark Ronson introduced him to the world on the international smash, Version. Gifted with a lush tenor with a smoothed out sandpaper timbre playing underneath, Merriweather has a tearful, youthful yearning to his instrument that compels repeated listening. He is a light blend of Terrence Trent D'Arby and Lewis Taylor, with a dash of Billy Joel. The songs are pure pop from a timeless era. The lyrics laden with abstract metaphors actually make sense. The music is often a propulsive, layered orchestration of sound that would make Phil Spector proud, especially on "Giving Up." "Water and a Flame," a duet with fellow Brit, Adele, reminds us how long it has been since artists have crafted a single-ready, quality soul duet. "Nothing Even Matters" by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo is the last great one my memory recalls.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting this UK golden boy's debut album ever since superstar producer Mark Ronson introduced him to the world on the international smash, Version. Gifted with a lush tenor with a smoothed out sandpaper timbre playing underneath, Merriweather has a tearful, youthful yearning to his instrument that compels repeated listening. He is a light blend of Terrence Trent D'Arby and Lewis Taylor, with a dash of Billy Joel. The songs are pure pop from a timeless era. The lyrics laden with abstract metaphors actually make sense. The music is often a propulsive, layered orchestration of sound that would make Phil Spector proud, especially on "Giving Up." "Water and a Flame," a duet with fellow Brit, Adele, reminds us how long it has been since artists have crafted a single-ready, quality soul duet. "Nothing Even Matters" by Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo is the last great one my memory recalls. And while young Adele and our lad Merriweather have not quite achieved their precursors' level of mature artistry, intelligent, dynamic and beautifully sung debut albums like 19 and Love and War give soul fans a healthy infusion of hope for the genre's-and these artists-future.
Notable songs: "Red," "For Your Money," "Getting Out," "Live By Night," and "Water and a Flame."
Vocals: 3
Lyrics: 3
Music: 4
Production: 4
SoulTracks Call: Highly Recommended.
By L. Michael Gipson