Meryl Streek
Songs For The Deceased
Venn Records
Passion and poetry with beats that will get you moving and words that will get you thinking, and feeling. If you are not familiar with Meryl Streek, they pride themselves on highlighting injustices within the current social and political climate. Taking influence from what is happening within Ireland, but which also ring true across the world. The album opens with ‘Welcome’ which features clips and sound bites from news segments highlighting the state of the housing crisis many are facing today. This is a topic that will be raised again as well as others such as taking aim at politicians, being trapped in a rat race and addiction. Single release ‘Dogs’ is a punky drum and bass style track which features Cal Graham of The Chisel with lyrics that include “I have more time for the dogs on the street than the people I meet”. ‘Paddy’ is lovingly dedicated to their Uncle who lived life on “their own terms” and has a kind of twinkly magical musical backdrop to start before breaking out the drum beats. ‘Gambling Death'’ stands out with its punk rock guitar opening and faster rougher vocals. Later songs including ‘Terrance’, ‘Murder’ and ‘The Stardust’ are pretty brutal lyrically as they tell a tale of unjust deaths but done ever so eloquently. The message is bleak but its aim is to embolden the listener. The music alongside it at times feels more hopeful. They have hit the nail on the head in creating something that is so emotive.
Review by Aggy Gillon