Classic, Slow Jams
Alternative rock group, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, released their first full-length album in over a decade, titled Merrie Land. While the album is only eleven tracks long, it covers a lot of ground, especially for a band that hasn’t released anything in quite some time.
After a simple, sweet and to-the-point introduction track, the album gets started on the title track, which possesses somewhat of a classy feeling to it, while sporting vocals that are reminiscent of David Bowie at his finest. The song flows much like a story being told and does a good job of opening the album, although after over a decade passing between albums, the track does come off a bit drab and slow.
The next track, “Gun To The Head,” carries the same nostalgic feel to it, with a little bit of late works of The Beatles sprinkled throughout. While this track could still be categorized as alternative rock, the guitar work adds a psychedelic characteristic that makes this track standout amongst others on the album.
“Lady Boston” does a great job of finding a good baseline between what is too slow and what is too quick. This track also possesses a lot of different layers to it, in terms of composition, that brings something different to the table each time it is listened to. From the faint group singing laid over the vocals to the guitar riff that feels as though it is underwater, and everything in between, “Lady Boston” definitely plays its part as a stand-out track on Merrie Land.
Overall, the album has a slow vibe about it, and “Ribbons” is definitely a track that speaks true to that theme. While it is, in fact, a very chill track, it is a very pretty one to sit and really listen to. There are some strings backing the track instrumentally that really add a different quirk to the sound found on Merrie Land. All of that being said, there is still something grand about the vocals paired with the slight build in instrumental composition toward the middle of the track that really elevates it as a whole track.
The album wraps up with the track “The Poison Tree,” ending it all on a very calm note, which might not be what was expected from a track with the name “The Poison Tree.” The album is definitely slower than anticipated, but nonetheless, it is beautiful for different reasons. The composition of the featured tracks is outstanding and makes for many different quirks distributed throughout the album, keeping the listeners on their toes.
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