Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
There's a disturbing trend in the Northwest: bands are getting way over-hyped before their first full-length record (which is often mediocre and disappointing) even hits the streets. Seattle's Harvey Danger, however, deserved the buzz that their debut CD generated. Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? was quite simply one of the best local records released in 1997. It has the pop accessibility of vocalist Sean Nelson's high-register croon (not unlike Jeremy Enigk), and the energetic and dynamic punch of a band--guitarist Jeff Lin, bassist Aaron Huffman, and drummer Evan Sult (The Rocket's assistant art director)--that has developed its chops together for more than four years. Harvey Danger have drawn all the worthwhile elements from '90s indie rock and created a sound that is at once their own, yet completely familiar. Lin's guitar is full and confident, ranging from full-on power chords to buzzing melodies, while Huffman frequently takes the leads with his fat, distorted bass humming away. Sult ably links the two with a minimum of flash and pretense. Nelson's clear-as-a-bell vocals and sardonic, clever, and frequently emotional lyrics are both the album's strongest and weakest aspects. Occasionally his verbosity overcomes the music and his almost condescending sniping becomes a little tiresome. However, these are minor complaints in the big picture, because songs like "Carlotta Valdez," "Flagpole Sitta," and "Problems and Bigger Ones" are true gems, and for a first effort, this is as close to flawless as a band can get. --Adem Tepedelen --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Original Sound
  • BUY THIS!
  • Hear The Voices In My Head...
  • Fun, very atypical band, violent femmes
  • Flagpole Sitta and.... not much else
 Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?
Harvey Danger
Manufacturer: Fontana London
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Post GrungePost Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Marcy Playground
  2. A Place in the Sun
  3. Little by Little (with Bonus Disc)
  4. King James Version
  5. All the Pain Money Can Buy

ASIN: B000006AUU
Release Date: 1998-03-31

Tracks:

  1. Carlotta Valdez
  2. Flagpole Sitta
  3. Woolly Muffler
  4. Private Helicopter
  5. Problems & Bigger Ones
  6. Jack The Lion
  7. Old Hat
  8. Terminal Annex
  9. Wrecking Ball
  10. Radio Silence

Amazon.com

There's a disturbing trend in the Northwest: bands are getting way over-hyped before their first full-length record (which is often mediocre and disappointing) even hits the streets. Seattle's Harvey Danger, however, deserved the buzz that their debut CD generated. Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? was quite simply one of the best local records released in 1997. It has the pop accessibility of vocalist Sean Nelson's high-register croon (not unlike Jeremy Enigk), and the energetic and dynamic punch of a band--guitarist Jeff Lin, bassist Aaron Huffman, and drummer Evan Sult (The Rocket's assistant art director)--that has developed its chops together for more than four years. Harvey Danger have drawn all the worthwhile elements from '90s indie rock and created a sound that is at once their own, yet completely familiar. Lin's guitar is full and confident, ranging from full-on power chords to buzzing melodies, while Huffman frequently takes the leads with his fat, distorted bass humming away. Sult ably links the two with a minimum of flash and pretense. Nelson's clear-as-a-bell vocals and sardonic, clever, and frequently emotional lyrics are both the album's strongest and weakest aspects. Occasionally his verbosity overcomes the music and his almost condescending sniping becomes a little tiresome. However, these are minor complaints in the big picture, because songs like "Carlotta Valdez," "Flagpole Sitta," and "Problems and Bigger Ones" are true gems, and for a first effort, this is as close to flawless as a band can get. --Adem Tepedelen

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Original Sound.......2007-03-10

This albums is great because of its raw original sound. The volcals aren't the greatest, but the composition of the peices makes that an inreaging sound. If you like rock, pop, or punk buy this album.

5 out of 5 stars BUY THIS!.......2006-12-21

No, really, you dont know what you are missing, every track is excellent. Lyrics are amazing. buy this now.

5 out of 5 stars Hear The Voices In My Head..........2006-10-30

This is a great album. Harvey Danger's most well-known song is 'Flagpole Sitta' but there are many great songs on this album. My personal favorites are 'Terminal Annex' and 'Radio Silence'. The guitar riffs are very well matched with the bass lines and drum beats, making great music. The vocals are crooned out in a grungy and neurotic tone by Sean Nelson, which makes the music seem very real to the listener.

1.Carlotta Valdez- 4/5. Not one of my favorites.
2.Flagpole Sitta'- 5/5. All around great song.
3.Wooly Muffler- 5/5. Was stuck in my head for a lonnnng time.
4.Private Helicopter-3/5. Least favorite track.
5.Problems and Bigger Ones-5/5.Catchy.
6.Jack The Lion-5/5. Gave out his last roar.
7.Old Hat-5/5.Great.
8.Terminal Annex-10/5. My favorite.
9.Wrecking Ball-5/5. Such a good song.
10.Radio Silence-10/5.It is very rare that I can handle a ballad.

This is a great album if you liked Marcy Playground and Third Eye Blind.

4 out of 5 stars Fun, very atypical band, violent femmes.......2006-07-09

kind've in their punchy, catchy sound. While this band will never make it to the main stream thats okay too. The songs are very intelligent, the sound is crisp and I think everyone can identify with the line "I am not sick and I'm not well..."

2 out of 5 stars Flagpole Sitta and.... not much else.......2006-06-23

Flagpole Sitta is such a catchy tune, But it's really the only song worth hearing on this disc. All the lyrics are funny and witty, yes, but only the lyrics. the songs themselves are irritating. You'd be Much better off with Harvey Danger's superb and entertaining "Little By Little" and then just buy the Flagpole Sitta single.

This disc leaves a lot to be desired
Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Roaring Their First
 Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?
Harvey Danger
Manufacturer: Arena Rock
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Post GrungePost Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000B67F
Release Date: 1997-07-29

Tracks:

  1. Carlotta Valdez
  2. Flagpole Sitta
  3. Woolly Muffler
  4. Private Helicopter - Harvey Danger,
  5. Problems and Bigger Ones
  6. Jack the Lion
  7. Old Hat
  8. Terminal Annex
  9. Wrecking Ball
  10. Radio Silence

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Roaring Their First.......1998-12-15

Harvey Danger is one of the up-and-coming bands after the major Seattle boom of the early nineties that sprouted such groups as Nirvana. They have their own unique style, from a hard-driven beat on Carlotta Valdez to the slow rock-ballad of the last track. The hit "Flagpole Sitta" is a great song that was picked up by national radio stations, and they're second single "Private Helicopter" has just been released. Although i doubt this album will have any real MAJOR radio success, it is a must for all music lovers from Led Zeppelin to Shananians, to Deadheads,and the like. Alright. Just remember, keep your freik on.
Where have all the merrymakers gone?
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Where have all the merrymakers gone?
    Harvey Danger
    Manufacturer: BMG
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000JDAJ36

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