Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Meridene just released the follow up to their 2008 debut album, You’re Not Pretty. The aforementioned album, entitled Something Like Blood, is something of a power pop gem. Simply put, this album is really good.
Something Like Blood was recorded at the home-studio of Bon Iver, April Base, in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Meridene also found support from fellow local musicians. The album was produced and mixed by Brian Moen (Peter Wolf Crier) with T.W. Walsh (formerly of Pedro The Lion and The Soft Drugs) mastering.
The hook on the album is one I’ve been listening to again and again. It made my September mixtape, but definitely deserves mention here as well. Parade of Fools, has a driving guitar riff similar to the Strokes’ Reptilia, and when the song finally hits its highest point, in climax, the yelp of lead singer Trevor Ives unleashes a lot of energy built up in the track. Parade of Fools has large moments, and maybe the other catchiest / hookiest (is that a word?) song on the album has got to be Gone, Baby Gone. It’s got the soaring chorus, anthem-like and a line that describes itself, ‘and as the music starts to swell, it hurts like hell.’ Totally fun track, and worth the price of admission.
It’s not all high intensity, high energy tracks on the album. Mid-tempo winners on the album are the thoughtful, Bible Belt, and slow exploding Juliet, They’ll Eat Us Alive. Songs that air a folky, vulnerable quality, well expressed by Ives vocals.
All in all, this is a totally solid album, worthy of a bunch of listens. Pick up the album, and decide for yourself.
More Meridene:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace
If you are here on the east coast, specifically the northeast, they are touring their album quite extensively. Check them out:
10/15 – The Mouse Trap – Eau Claire, WI
10/16 – Acadia Cafe – Minneapolis, MN
10/17 – House of Bricks – Des Moines, IA
10/20 – The Space – Hamden, CT
10/21 – The 201 – Providence, RI
10/22 – Slainte Wine Bar – Portland, ME
10/23 – The Starving Artist – Keene, NH
10/24 – The Party Xpo – Brooklyn, NY
10/28 – The Green Line Cafe – Philadelphia, PA
10/29 – Wilbert’s – Cleveland, OH
10/31- Linneman’s – Milwaukee, WI
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