Laura Merrimen - Love Letters for Lonely Hunters

  by Lisa Torem

published: 26 / 3 / 2010

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Review

Nova Scotian Laura Merrimen wears her Americana heart on her tear-drenched sleeve in her enigmatic album, ‘Love Letters for Lonely Hunters.’ "Just go on now/Don’t apologize/I got nothing to give you now" sets the album’s tone. The embracing screech of a lonely guitar leads to Merrimen snarling in her weathered voice. ‘Another Line’ begins with a sparse tinsel-stringed intro. Multi-instrumentalist/producer Brad Conrad’s bountifully plush pedal-steel precedes this pay-off.. “I told you I’d be there,” she cries. Her tear-struck heart lodges mid-throat. ‘Too Many Nights’ stomps and kicks. Merrimen teases each syllable like a Spanish matador yielding a flaming red cape in a bull pen. ‘We’re just barely getting by,” she sings, almost gritting her teeth, to her penniless lover. ‘Don’t Worry Baby’ is a slo-mo thriller. “I don’t want to talk about it now….” she sings in hushed tones. Shimmering guitar and earthy chugs that shadow the great Johnny Cash generate amazing energy; Merrimen captures the charm of early Dylan with a washed-out drawl. ‘Keepin It Low’ heralds the most engaging candour:”the choices you made take their toll.” It chugs along like a vintage freight train. On ‘From The Ground’ she sighs, “I’ll make things right by doing things the wrong way.” And even when it kicks into double-time and back, Merrimen breaths vitality into the pulse. ‘Time’ is heavenly. Erin Costello’s broad-shouldered reams of accordion add a superb touch and establishes a dreamy segue between the first two verses. Then, Merrimen’s voice sails into a beautific mournfulness. But, just when you think you’ve got her pegged, ‘Mama’ throws you to the lions. After the emblazoned classic-rock intro, this singer-songwriter pleads: “Momma, come quick, can’t you see/This whole town’s deaf to me.” ‘Closer To The Door’ shadows the 50s with delicate arpeggios. Farfisa, Hammond, Pump organ, xylophone and tambourine add velvet shades of intensity, but the ultimate shocker is that this is Merrimen’s debut album. The mature rustic-edge to her voice and the uber-southern comfort she imbues with her phrasing are generally hallmarks of a veteran recording artist like Rosanne Cash. Besides writing all of the songs, the talented Merrimen also added her artistic talent. But, most importantly, the words “love” and “lonely” in the title stand out for a reason. Merrimen’s debut really casts a spotlight on the emptiness of unfulfilled romance; but, thankfully, she’s willing to be that trusted friend that never leaves. ‘Love Letters for Lonely Hunters’ is an unforgettable collection.

Track Listing:-

1 Go On Now
2 Another Line
3 Time
4 Too Many Nights
5 Mama
6 Closer to the Door
7 Ontario
8 Stand Alone
9 Don't Worry Baby
10 From the Ground
11 Keepin It Low