Search - Stephin Merrit, Ivan Johnson, Douglas Quint :: Stephin Merritt: Showtunes

Keep the good work flowing

John Marquette | California | 03/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stephin Merritt has created another imaginative work with "Showtunes" in his 26-track CD. I've listened to it several times on my commute to and from work, and I'm not quite sure why one of the reviewers object to his absent voice. His other musical enterprises - 6ths, Future Bible Heroes, Magnetic Fields - don't always have him front-and-center. What he brings to us with "Showtunes" is more of his clever lyrics and catchy tunes.



One track is especially remarkable - "Hail, Son of Heaven". It sounds to me like the Iraq War Anthem. You could read a bit of political intrigue into "Showtunes" lyrics, but hey, why bother? Just enjoy the opera excerpts and the liner notes.



Why did I rate it with only four stars rather than a full five? His capolavoro, "69 Love Songs" (the three-disc set), has everything I want in a funny, clever, and touching entertainment package and gets the full five stars in my book."

Consider The Source

Robert Burns | Tallahassee, Florida United States | 10/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I know that the reviewer right before me gave this 1 star and called it "the worst drivel he'd ever heard". Before you allow this to sway you, look at his other reviews. This is a guy who's favorite band seems to be Chicago. Also, it would appear that he has purchased more than one box set of the TV show "Frasier".

Take a negative review by this guy as a sign that the "Showtunes" album might well be excellent.

Stephen Merritt might be a little too adventurous for someone who's brain has been turned to pudding by the blandness of Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears."

Strange, inspired genius

Poor Napoleon | TX United States | 11/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stephin Merrit is easily one of the busiest men in music. His style is distinct and diverse at the same time, lending itself to a variety of different projects. Showtunes is such a different project.



The namesake has to do with the numerous plays Merritt has composed music for. This package is the best of those recordings, which are available seperately, at least from certain online retailers. However, this is probably your best bet. Merritt (and many fans, based on some of the unfavorable reviewers) realize that some songs don't sound great out of context. And since these are from musicals, that's to be expected. However, for the most part, these tracks are fantastic - their catchy, witty, and very tuneful. Not hearing Merritt sing on them may be an acquired taste for some, as Merritt's drull baritone suits his songs well. That they aren't sung by him make them no less his. One of the wittiest lyrics has to be "The little Hebrew girl heard her mother's dying wish: 'don't become a Christian, just be Jewish.' Lyrics like this are abound in a very diverse, mixed bag of goodies.



Chen Shi-Zheng directed the plays represented here, and all fall into the tradition of Chinese theatre. Consequently, many of the recordings are tinged by some of that sound. It's amazing how Merritt so easily allows this to fit into his sound.



For those who don't think this is signature Merrit, however, check out Shall We Sing a Duet and its reprise. Tell me that couldn't have fit well on 69 Love Songs."