"Meridene": You're Not Pretty, You're Worse
David Taintor
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Scene
A sense of community is important to any blossoming music scene. From front men singing on each other's records, to sharing demo CDs and high fives at hometown shows, no independent band, or music scene, can
succeed without a little help from their friends.
Chicago bands saw reciprocal success several years ago when "Fall Out Boy" led the city's pop-punk outpouring, and likewise, Minneapolis has an incredibly tight knit hip-hop community.
Such is the case today, in Eau Claire's independent music scene. A familiar but diverse lineup of bands can be seen playing together most weekends in the city's handful of theaters and bars. Catapulted by "Bon Iver's" recent critical and commercial success, the Eau Claire music community is poised to receive more national attention than ever. "Meridene's" most recent contribution, You're Not Pretty, You're Worse is no exception to the rule.
Trevor Ives has painted a pastoral landscape on You're Not Pretty, You're Worse, setting his span of emotions to the changing Wisconsin seasons. It's a departure from the band's last EP of alt-country, but the new "Meridene" is stronger and more confident.
Drawing on the technical facilities of Jazz Ensemble I musicians, Paul Brandt, Shane McLaughlin and Dave Power, "Kill the Memory" rips open with dissonant piano sweeps and bursts of trombone for added intensity.
"Trouble On The Line," a tale of a bank robbery with an overdose of "woo hoos," starts off a bit hokey, but dissolves into a gorgeous guitar coda, providing a perfect conclusion to turn the song around.
"Meridene" never sound like they're taking themselves too seriously, which plays to the album's advantage. On "Don't Try," Ives sings, "It's not gonna be alright," with elated energy to suggest otherwise, and "Stay Alive" employs a chorus of hand claps that adds to the laid back feel of the songs.
That is not to say there are no somber or contemplative moments on You're Not Pretty, You're Worse. "Love, Complete" is a convincing love story full of heartbreak and vivid imagery.
At first listen, I wanted to write off You're Not Pretty, You're Worse as another mediocre indie-rock record. I mistakenly thought "Meridene" lacked a certain spark to set it apart from the endless sea of bands that can be found at first click on your favorite music blog.
Maybe we expect too much from albums today - wanting instant gratification, but lasting power, and originality that remains familiar.
The prospect of an album having a vision that may not be instantly identifiable seems unattractive to us, but with each additional listen of You're Not Pretty, You're Worse, more of its simple song writing is revealed. Performed with such great musicianship, it's hard to do anything but revisit it over and over again.
- David Taintor
succeed without a little help from their friends.
Chicago bands saw reciprocal success several years ago when "Fall Out Boy" led the city's pop-punk outpouring, and likewise, Minneapolis has an incredibly tight knit hip-hop community.
Such is the case today, in Eau Claire's independent music scene. A familiar but diverse lineup of bands can be seen playing together most weekends in the city's handful of theaters and bars. Catapulted by "Bon Iver's" recent critical and commercial success, the Eau Claire music community is poised to receive more national attention than ever. "Meridene's" most recent contribution, You're Not Pretty, You're Worse is no exception to the rule.
Trevor Ives has painted a pastoral landscape on You're Not Pretty, You're Worse, setting his span of emotions to the changing Wisconsin seasons. It's a departure from the band's last EP of alt-country, but the new "Meridene" is stronger and more confident.
Drawing on the technical facilities of Jazz Ensemble I musicians, Paul Brandt, Shane McLaughlin and Dave Power, "Kill the Memory" rips open with dissonant piano sweeps and bursts of trombone for added intensity.
"Trouble On The Line," a tale of a bank robbery with an overdose of "woo hoos," starts off a bit hokey, but dissolves into a gorgeous guitar coda, providing a perfect conclusion to turn the song around.
"Meridene" never sound like they're taking themselves too seriously, which plays to the album's advantage. On "Don't Try," Ives sings, "It's not gonna be alright," with elated energy to suggest otherwise, and "Stay Alive" employs a chorus of hand claps that adds to the laid back feel of the songs.
That is not to say there are no somber or contemplative moments on You're Not Pretty, You're Worse. "Love, Complete" is a convincing love story full of heartbreak and vivid imagery.
At first listen, I wanted to write off You're Not Pretty, You're Worse as another mediocre indie-rock record. I mistakenly thought "Meridene" lacked a certain spark to set it apart from the endless sea of bands that can be found at first click on your favorite music blog.
Maybe we expect too much from albums today - wanting instant gratification, but lasting power, and originality that remains familiar.
The prospect of an album having a vision that may not be instantly identifiable seems unattractive to us, but with each additional listen of You're Not Pretty, You're Worse, more of its simple song writing is revealed. Performed with such great musicianship, it's hard to do anything but revisit it over and over again.
- David Taintor
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Scott Morfitt
posted 12/10/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
I loved the article. Very well written. It's great the way subtle craftmanship is utilized throughout.
However, I would just like to point out that Andy Detra is the bass player for Jazz I. (Continued…)
Post a Comment