Love & War may seem like a grandiose and ostentatious name for an album. However, delving into neo-soul vocalist Daniel Merriweather’s history it soon becomes apparent that the title is fitting.
Dropping out of high-school and working in a fast food joint on the fringes of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, success was probably the last thing one would envisage for the now 26 year old artist.
Battling the odds, Merriweather is now enjoying fame far outside the confines of shopping centre suburbia, touring the world over with super-producer Mark Ronson and his band the Version Players. He’s also re-located to the epicentre of downtown New York, accumulating a wealth of industry experience along the way.
All of this has culminated in his solo debut album Love & War. It’s a reflection on how far he’s come; as he contemplates on the opener For Your Money: “New York now that I’ve arrived/It’s like a joke that ain’t funny”. The theme of love is represented with both optimism like in Impossible and Could You and in its bittersweet bite on Chainsaw and Not Giving Up.
Ronson produces all but two of the album’s 12 tracks and there’s some heavyweight help enlisted in the form of Wale, Adele, Sean Lennon and The Dap-Kings. Still, Merriweather holds his own. His vocal range and ability to elicit emotions shine through.
In summary, Love & War is a fine debut effort and no doubt will see Merriweather finding more fans from Melbourne en-route to Manhattan.Back
Dropping out of high-school and working in a fast food joint on the fringes of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, success was probably the last thing one would envisage for the now 26 year old artist.
Battling the odds, Merriweather is now enjoying fame far outside the confines of shopping centre suburbia, touring the world over with super-producer Mark Ronson and his band the Version Players. He’s also re-located to the epicentre of downtown New York, accumulating a wealth of industry experience along the way.
All of this has culminated in his solo debut album Love & War. It’s a reflection on how far he’s come; as he contemplates on the opener For Your Money: “New York now that I’ve arrived/It’s like a joke that ain’t funny”. The theme of love is represented with both optimism like in Impossible and Could You and in its bittersweet bite on Chainsaw and Not Giving Up.
Ronson produces all but two of the album’s 12 tracks and there’s some heavyweight help enlisted in the form of Wale, Adele, Sean Lennon and The Dap-Kings. Still, Merriweather holds his own. His vocal range and ability to elicit emotions shine through.
In summary, Love & War is a fine debut effort and no doubt will see Merriweather finding more fans from Melbourne en-route to Manhattan.Back
