City Makes No Sound

about this album

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. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

why this is interesting

# Why "City Makes No Sound" Merits Your Attention This album presents a fascinating artistic evolution—a composer willing to compress nearly ninety minutes of material into a single, densely layered work. Rather than simplify his vision, Merchant deepens it, weaving orchestral sophistication with pop accessibility across fifteen structurally varied songs. What emerges is intellectually engaging: thoughtful lyrics paired with intricate arrangements that reward close listening without demanding it. The stylistic range—melodically lush yet sonically complex—suggests an artist uninterested in easy categorization. For anyone curious about contemporary pop that respects both craft and emotional intelligence, this album offers something genuinely considered and substantive.

tracks

more from Jeff Merchant

Window Rolled Down

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Fresh Produce, Vol. 3 from mvyradio.com

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Mvyradio Fresh Produce, Vol. 3

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American Uk review august 2009

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Americana 2009 08

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Polkupyörä