Merry Hell continue their rise in popularity with their second album, 'Head Full of Magic, Shoes Full of Rain', a stunning collection of uplifting and punchy folk-rock. Merry Hell embody all that is great about English folk rock in the 21st century. Stirring songwriting, striking male-and-female counterpoint vocals and glorious musicianship are the hallmarks of 'Head Full Of Magic, Shoes Full Of Rain', their exhilarating second album. The seven-piece combine folk sensibilities with rock energy and punk attitude to glorious effect. Featuring a guest appearance from Dave Swarbrick, the album is sure to see Merry Hell build on the enormous critical acclaim they've already enjoyed.
Second Album Syndrome is often cited as a cruel trick played on the creative will of those following up a near perfect debut release, brought upon not by the exposure of a talent punching above its weight, but by the pressures of expectation. The musical equivalent of erectile dysfunction if you will.
Good quality lyrics combined with music to match is the bread and butter of the music industry. It is however always nice to see when a band gets this balance right and as a result produces great music.
Merry Hell is a brilliant seven-piece outfit that took its musical cues from the mighty Tansads, not only including six of that cult combo's members but maintaining continuity while attaining a separate identity - not an easy thing to pull off, but their debut CD Blink… And You Miss It, released a little over a year ago, was both a triumphant debut and a resounding success, and emphatically not just a one-off flash-in-the-pan, as its followup now defiantly proves.
Merry Hell have just released their much-acclaimed second album "Head Full Of Magic,Shoes Full Of Rain", a most worthy successor to their excellent debut "Blink. ..and you'll miss it". Through the good offices of their manager, Damian, I caught up with Merry Hell at Chester Folk Festival at the Lord Binning pub at Kelsall near Chester.