Merchandise
“Green Lady”
After the End (out August 25 on 4AD)
In the unrelenting deluge of new music that greets listeners every week, it’s impossible not to completely whiff on a number of very good bands. Merchandise is one of those bands for me. Even though I am complete sucker for their brand of moody, atmospheric The Smiths/The Cure/Depeche Mode worship, both of their critically acclaimed efforts — 2012’s Children of Desire and 2013’s Totale Night — flew right across my radar screen. Luckily, I gave the Tampa group’s deftly majestic, “Green Lady,” a spin. Vocalist Carson Cox’s sneer-y baritone hints at a lifetime of listening to the great British singers of the 80’s (and 90s-ish). His voice is highlighted by an evocative arrangment, washed with swabs of synth and reverb-laden guitars. I may be late to the party, but I’m glad I finally decided to show up.
