A Killer New Record from MERCHNTS.
A fresh new album release from MERCHNTS. delivers a soiree of soundscapes that range from alternative rock, rap-rock, funk, hints of punk, and so much more, all rolled up into one fat record that really comes with such a massive display of character that it's impossible to turn away from.
The Never Going To Fit In album certainly doesn't waste too much time coming in with its first track and giving you a taste of some of the staple fields that you're going to be hearing throughout the album.
The track is called "Hey Kid, Look Alive" and doesn't outstanding job of introducing you to the band and the record itself, but also opens the door for you to get ready to soak in all the layers, themes, personality, and diverse approaches that you're about to hear.
This track comes in with a heavy-handed beat, and the song has a unique way of growing. This displays that element of swagger riddled rapping with a heavier backbone that presents edginess and rock, along with everything else.
One of the things I love about this track in particular is how it all comes together super well and creates an atmosphere that's its own.
Another thing this song introduces you to is the lyrical approach, which is important because the lyrics really speak volumes for this record and are a huge aspect of what draws you in.
This first track is perfect for you to get a grasp on the sort of raw, slightly humorous, attentive, and detailed lyrical display that you can expect on this release.
This is not the kind of record that you listen to a few tracks from. Listening to one or two tracks might give you a little bit of an idea as to what you can expect, but it won't give you the full spectrum of what the album has to offer as a whole.
There are massive amounts of surprises around the corners, and this is certainly a record that blew me away quite a few times throughout its unfolding.
The drum performance across the board is outstanding, laying out a liveliness and exuberance that the whole band can soak in and level up from.
There are elements about these songs that feel almost like they were recorded live on the floor, and everyone involved was feeding off of each other's energies the entire time.
The drums are pounding a lot of the time, but they're always in the pocket and not robotic. They are alive and breathing, and they give the songs the same sense. They give the song heavy-handed grooves.
The bass guitar tone is a huge thing with this record, too. There are numerous tracks where the bass guitar is a focal point and really has a raw and sort of ferocious tone to it. Tracks like "Bloodsuckers" are a damn near perfect example of exactly that.
Like I said before, there are a slew of influences coming through on this record and they range from a heavy-handed alternative rock in the vein of Deftones from the late 90s or early 2000s, those punk rock elements are there a lot of the time with some guitar and vocal stuff because of its energy and attitude, swagger and presence.
It's also got a deepening, heavy rock tone, a lot of the time, which is really pinned down to a particular genre, but the guitar work on this record has attitude to it. The whole record is riddled with character, and it's not just the vocals. It's the way everything comes together and is pushed out there.
That energy is a key factor. I might be wrong about the whole recording live on the floor aspect because hey, I wasn't there after all but, listening to the record certainly makes you want to go see these guys perform at live simply because if they can capture that kind of energy and aesthetic on record so well, then seeing them live must be awesome.
It's rare to hear a band on record and immediately know that they would be great in a live performance setting, but this album pulls that off without a hitch.
A lot of the time, the songs are addictive with spaciousness to them, along with the snappy edge and wit that comes through, which makes them impactful but also a little bit nostalgic in a way.
Some of this record does have that '90s hip-hop, rock style vibe. I grew up listening to bands like this, and I can tell you right now not only is that influence completely evident with this record, but a bunch of other ones are too, so they're able to combine all these different influences to create something that feels like it's unique.
This was an album that absolutely thrived from beginning to end, and there's something for just about everyone on it, especially if you grew up in a certain time listening to heavy rock.
That aesthetic is completely nailed, but it's not really just about that. These songs are addictive and impactful, along with that fiery energy and attitude. It is really a combination of things that come together that makes this powerful, and it's been a long time since I've heard a record that was this alive.
It's youthful, but it's got experience behind it. The musicianship is killer, and these songs make you want to jump around the living room and shout right alongside the lyrics.
I love that feeling because it's been a while since I've had it.
So, definitely check out this record in full. Listen to it from start to finish because it's more than worth your time, especially if you like any kind of charismatic heavy rock because these guys are the pinnacle of exactly that.
Check this out, turn it up, and remember where you heard it first.
