This excellent four track debut EP from Edinburgh based band The Merrylees provides a fine introduction to their music. Describing themselves as “Psychedelic Country Western Babble” perhaps doesn’t do justice to a country rock sound that features complex melodies, reverb heavy guitar licks and skiffle style percussion.
The EP opens with Turn For The Strange and the twin guitars kick in straight away before the vocals emerge from a solid drum beat. There is a fast pace to the track, which has a short chorus and a nice guitar solo near to the end.
The Coroner was the track that stood out most when I saw The Merrylees play live and it is perhaps my favourite on this release. It has a dark feel, with slightly slower vocals, deep toned over the ever present drum sounds, and also features some very nice guitar work.
The slightly slower start to For You is rather mournful, but it soon bursts into life. This is a fine love song expressing longing and desire, yet it also possesses an edgy quality that intrigues.
(Farewell) Dry Land closes the EP in upbeat fashion. The guitars wail providing an intricate melody, the drums drive us incessantly forward and the vocals cut through the backing to good effect. The chorus is big and the overall effect is a catchy four minutes plus of good rock music.
The Merrylees are building a deserved reputation as an entertaining live act. This release shows that they can make fine music in the studio too, leaving the impression that there is much more still to come from this band.
