Reviews

Artist:Merry Hell
Album: Emergencey Lullabies
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 14
Website: https://www.merryhell.co.uk

"The times they are a changin'" ... indeed they may be, but one constant remains, Merry Hell can be relied upon to bring a sense of reason, reflection, rationality and humour to the world through their infectious music. 'Emergency Lullabies', their latest magnificent release, delivers messages of togetherness, understanding, but above all hope, to the uncertain times in which we find ourselves.

Whereas previous release, Anthems To The Wind, focused upon the more acoustic style of their 5-piece iteration this album sees a return to the full power of the group's electric 8-piece configuration, and once again shows that they are, without a doubt, the top folk-rock band of the moment.

Opposition to hatred, division and intolerance alongside a healthy espousal of inclusion, collaboration and community are key elements of their raison d'être, and careful reading of the lyrics shows that the passion still rages strong in this regard, but without recourse to proselytising or lecturing, indeed as band member Bob Kettle has recognised, "I'm no one to judge anybody else's behaviour". This latter attribute exemplifying why, for so many, their work has such compelling and honest force.

With the emphasis often placed on the skill and acuity of their lyric writing, this might sometimes be at the, unintended, expense of an appreciation of the quality of the music composition. Suffice to say that on 'Emergency Lullabies' the group have exceeded and surpassed their own previously high and exacting standards, attaining new levels of excellence, whilst maintaining the trademark 'Merry Hell sound'. The listener is rewarded with ever-changing moods and atmospeheres, on a roller-coaster ride that moves from joyous, anthemic 'sing-and-stamp-along' tracks to gentle, reflective songs of intimacy, and all stations in between.

Opening track, 'Go Down Fighting', sets out the stall perfectly, featuring dual vocal interplay between Andrew and Virginia and an eminently memorable and catchy chorus. Further stunning guitar work from John, together with Neil McCartney's dramatic violin playing, appears too on Virginia Kettle's "Three Little Lions', an allegorical tale which suggests the need for an awakening as to possible future options and routes,
'There's a storm coming across this land, better pool our courage while we can'.
With rhythm section Nick Davies and Andy Jones, along with Lee Goulding's keyboards, to the fore, the song really rocks, showing that if there is a Ghost In Our House then it surely has to be the ghost of Tansads past.

This release, the bands sixth, not only sees the 14 songs, plus one short interlude/snippet, credited to five writers within the group, working either individually or in combination, but also, thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the alacrity of the group, takes the concept of collaboration into new realms by including the extended Merry Hell family. Thus 'Beyond The Call', a love song to the NHS written by John Kettle on the evening that the UK went into its first lockdown, features vocal contributions from over 200 voices of The Key Workers Chorus and The Social Isolation Choir, the friends and fans who submitted recordings of themselves singing along to the chorus. This concept was later repeated, and the fruits of the on-going desire for inclusiion can be heard on 'We Are Different, We Are One', a song which both emphasises and celebrates both individuality and the fact that unity is strength,
'For singing heals divided lands
I know we are all not the same...
... We are more not less
We are NHS
We are different we are one'

The theme of love, in its various guises, has been a feature of previous MH releases, and this latest album sees no deviation from that path. Two songs, 'Handsome Sally' and 'Younger Than You Were', both reflect upon the celebration and joy of love and companionship in the later years, the former showcasing what a tremendous voice Andrew possesses, the latter containing the wonderful refrain
'So come on sweet Denise, you're my favourite masterpiece'

Some 30 years after Neil first had the tune, and with Bob's joint-collaboration on lyrics, 'Moonlight Prade' another song reflecting on the aging process, finally gets a welcome release. Two of Virginia's songs, both tinged with self-deprecating humour, 'Violet' and 'I Don't Want To Be Cool', had established themselves as crowd favourites in the days when live shows were a thing, and in the case of the former, the production values and added Temperance Seven effects certainly enhance an already top song, usually performed solo with acoustic guitar. The latter also features the melodeon playing of Simon Care, as witnessed by those of us lucky enough to have attended Merry Hell's performance in Skegness at last year's Great British Folk Festival.

Bob's 'Sailor', upbeat and suitably nautical in sound, is a marvellously written tribute in memory of a sea-faring friend, whilst Lee's 'The Green Hills Of Home', lyrics jointly written with Bob, musically evokes the British countryside whilst the lyrics again reflect social observations and cares.

The group's concern for planet Earth and climate emergency manifests itself specifically in three tracks that were sequentially released, with dedicated videos, earlier this year as The Hourglass Trilogy. Neil's 'Leave It In The Ground' draws from his family's mining connections and references investigating safer energy sources to honour the historical sacrifices made by folk connected with the industry. With 'Sister Atlas', dedicated to Greta Thunberg, Virginia pays due respect,
'Big world, young shoulders…
…Now she's on the cover of
"Running out of Time" Magazine'

The final song in the trilogy is, fittingly, also the final song on the album. Giving the album its title, Bob's 'Emergency Lullabies' is nothing short of outstanding. Powerful in the extreme, but as with so many of the songs here, containing elements of hope, hope for a more positive future for our children, our children's children and the planet we all share, and in particular the lead being shown by the younger generation. The gentle, somnolent melody contrasts sharply with the urgent action needed, this action/apathy dichotomy thus explaining why Emergency Lullaby is such a perfect title.

A brief acknowledgement of the packaging which accompanies the CD. The Cover Concept and all artwork is by Neil, with superbly appropriate collages, which research suggests are similar to, or based upon, work he undertook in 2013, in particular, 'Earth Blue'.

There has not been a finer album of the genre released this year. Uplifting, refreshing and honest, 'Emergency Lullabies' offers exuberance, hope and passion in these troubled times. The listener will be soothed, saddened and energised in equal measure.

To borrow from Tom Robinson, Merry Hell prove that there can indeed be Power In The Darkness.

David Pratt

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