MIKE MERZ & THE CAN O' WORMS: Buzzkill Nation

Mike Merz & the Can o' Worms

Buzzkill Nation

© 2000 Archangel Media Empire (634479089411)

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"Unlike anything else out there... Mike Merz challenges the rules of songwriting and wins." --Jim Meyer, Minneapolis Star-Tribune

tracks

1 Rock & Roll
2 You Don't Like Punk Rock Anymore
3 I Wish I Was Dead
4 My Other Job
5 Drag & Click
6 Protection
7 Hair in the Soap Dish
8 N.O.E.W.D.
9 Everything's Cool
10 Friendly Ghost
11 Ripple

notes

For the uninitiated, a great place to start with the music of Mike Merz.

Imagine Loudon Wainwright fronting the Palace Brothers for a Syd Barrett-produced CCR tribute record-- not that it even begins to describe this CD, but it's kinda fun to think about, isn't it?

Formerly of Pimentos for Gus, Mike Merz released his debut solo CD to a chorus of critical acclaim that led to nominations from the Minnesota Music Academyfor Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year. This sprawling, patchwork quilt of a record topped the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's list of best local discs the year of its release, and continues to wow fans and critics alike.

11 songs festure cameos from some of the Twin Cities' finest bands (including, of course, Justin, Tracy & Dan from Pimentos for Gus). Features such cracked gems as "You Don't Like Punk Rock Anymore," "Hair in the Soap Dish," "Drag & Click," and "Protection."

"Wonderful" --City Pages (Minneapolis)

"Stupendous... Mike Merz challenges the rules of songwriting and wins." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"Chock full o' intelligent, witty, subversive tunes with subtleties that take repeated listenings to absorb and appreciate." --Pookie Review (Georgia)

reviews

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  • Merz steppin' out from P4G, best thing since Evel Kenevel
    author: Lonedogspot Weekly Newsline

    Not since Evel Kenevel and Pimentos for Gus took the stage outside Ransom Hall in Gambier Ohio has music been so poignant and engaging. Kudus to the growling one from P4G for sticking with the dream. --beaudoin '94

  • Witty, subversive tunes... subtleties that take repeated listenings to absorb.
    author: Pookie Review (decatur, Ga)

    Merz's 11 song debut is chock full o' intelligent, witty, subversive tunes with subtleties that take repeated listenings to absorb and appreciate. Without a doubt, Merz's strongest point is his knack for writing detailed, multi-dimensional lyrics which combine skewed humor with an Orwellian slant... The results can be simultaneously hilarious and depressing. In the sharp-barbed "Rock & Roll" he sings, "You know you're at a radio-sponsored show when no matter who the band is, the guy sitting next to you says 'Oh, he sounds like Elvis Costello.'" On "Drag & Click" things get downright grim: "You are a lamb in sheep's uniform/ born in a widow's web site/ under the ATM sign." Yowza! With such sarcasm-and angst-filled lyrics, one might expect the music to be equally angry and punkish. Thankfully, Merz places his sentiments in laid-back (too laid back at times), spacy, mostly acoustic arrangements reminiscent of "Obscured by Clouds"-era Pink Floyd and embellishes them with Simon & Garfunkelish harmonies, fax machine samples, and one very cool and unexpected sitar raga. It wasn't until days later that I was caught by Merz's screwiest joke: one of the cover's two spines reads "The Very Best of Night Ranger." Most refreshing I must say. . .

  • "This has quickly become one of my favorite CDs..."
    author: Bryan Baker

    This has quickly become one of my favorite CDs... a raw, modern sound with loads of inspiration... Instrumentation is very acoustic-oriented with guitar, kazoo, banjo, lap steel, violin, fiddle, and pedal steel all taking a turn. Molded with samples and answering machines and extremely interesting and diverse recording techniques, "Buzzkill Nation" has a very unique and handcrafted sound that warrants many, many plays. Highly recommended!

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