Record Label: Columbia Records
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If you’re yet to come face-to-face with Aussie Daniel Merriweather in the musical spotlight, then frankly, I ask, are some sort of hermit? Merriweather’s helping hand via uber-in-demand pal Mark Ronson was just the beginning. Cue Adele to aid furthermore, raising his profile on his latest single ‘Water & A Flame’. And they both croon amicably as ever in this pop duet. Like his critically acclaimed ‘Love & War’ album (out earlier this year) this single is for those who like a bid of morbid pop warbling. With Grammy winner Adele on board Merriweather’s fledging career is indebted to another high profile alliance. Let’s not take it away from the guy though, it is rather good!
‘Impossible’, the third single from Daniel Merriweather’s debut album ‘Love & War’, sees him return to ‘Stop Me’ territory on a track produced by, you’ve guessed it, Mark “If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It” Ronson. It’s a shame that a song sung so passionately by Merriweather is dragged down by a pop-by-numbers backing track, but that said the song is a lot more infectious than his previous offerings. Unfortunately, though ‘Impossible’ may at first seem like a rather catchy number, after having the chorus in your head for three days in a row you will probably end up despising it.
Finally Mark Ronson has given his protégé a timely shove into the limelight. The hype-mill that has surrounded the Aussie pop minstrel has been doing it’s rounds since last years Smiths cover and, there was a worry that this belated pop soundtrack could have come a little too late for people to remember him. However, from the minute it starts, Ronson’s majestic touch of crafting well oiled pop machines is evident, fusing Merriweather’s soulful voice with classic 60s pop swing(‘Impossible’ and ‘Getting Out’) it ambles along beautifully. And Carved around axis, and new single ‘Red’, Merriweather sings “I can’t do this by myself” and ultimately this is the story of the album, whether it be tinker man Ronson‘s coveted production prowess, Sean Lennon’s guitar licks or Adele’s appearance on ‘Water And A Flame’ there‘s a collective huddle behind him at all times. The underlining feeling about ‘Love & War’ is when it’s good, it’s refreshingly soulful and could mark the start of a glittering career but, and there is a but, it has it‘s fillers. With him being eminently ear marked for chart glory, Merriweather may be the new blue-eyed boy of retro pop not just on the whispers but from the deliverance of this album.
