Search - Jeff Merchant :: City Makes No Sound

After the release of his well received last CD, the orchestral indie-pop sounds of "Window Rolled Down", Jeff Merchant went back into the studio and emerged with a unique, fully produced 15 song recording called, &"City Makes No Sound". It's a melodically lush, bright and dark, richly bold, eclectic pop feast that you won't easily forget.

With nearly a CD and a half of material fitting on one disc, the songs range in style and structure but share a common alternative pop aesthetic of melodically dense arrangements, musically intricate parts, loops and effects, thought provoking lyrics and smart production. The musicianship is top notch thanks to an array of talented musicians that played on it. And Michael Rozon again utilizes his special production and engineering wizardry that is apparent from the first listen on.

"City Makes No Sound" tells diverse stories of city life that are amusing, sad and uplifting, sometimes lonely, with both hope and despair - trying to get to the essence of things. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered with a full spectrum of sound in mind deep, full bass with bright harmonies and a rich, balanced center.

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Jeff Merchant had an extensive involvement in the local scene before launching a solo career. He created the alternative songwriter showcase &"Broken Mic," which held a regular residency at the Spaceland nightclub in Silverlake. Merchant has performed in numerous groups, including with the nationally renowned Stew (of Passing Strange). He co-fronted the orchestral pop band MetaTonic and was the frontman for the quirky art-pop band PG-13, known for its inspired interpretation of Willy Wonka's Pure Imagination, before becoming a founding member (with Stew) of the cult fave band the Lullabies, who released their psycho-eclectic pop album, Lullabies' Lullaby. While continuing to work with this group, he also recorded his own debut solo album, Window Rolled Down, which received national radio airplay on over 150 college, specialty and AAA stations and also on many internet radio stations and podcasts.

"complex haunting tales" - Entertainment Weekly: PopWatch

"entrancing, lush" - Boston Phoenix

"...catchy and will stay with you" - High Bias

"Merchant's a master when it comes to crafting lofty tunes with instant appeal" - entnews

"relaxing orchestral indie folk sound scapes" - Wiam Blogspot

"Merchant earns a place among those artists who keep musical expression, experimentalism, and artistry alive" - Music Spectrum

"...the lyrics are so brutally honest that it hurts - but at the same time the music soothes you so you can face the truth" - Who Needs Radio Blog

"Its not everyday you hear horse hooves in your gypsy pop" - Illinois Entertainer: spins, weekly

"A solid solo singer-songwriter" - Berkeley Place Blogspot

"Decemberists-styled orchestrations and vocal work that resembles Death Cabs Ben Gibbard" - Birmingham Weekly's SOUND ADVICE