Merz - Moi Et Mon Camion

Merz, otherwise known as adoptive Bristolian folkie Conrad Lambert, is currently slugging it out on a tour of, well, Borders bookshops. Usually the choice of venues for an artist to play would be of little relevance to a review of their latest record, in the case of ‘Moi et Mon Camion’, however, the chain of behemoth stores is the perfect place.

‘Moi et Mon Camion’ consists pretty much of lengthy folk-esque songs that fail to go anywhere other than past the four or five minute mark; this isn’t actually a bad album, it’s just not a very interesting one. The opening, and title track is a pleasant enough acoustic number, in the style of, say, Willy Mason, and featuring instrumentation from a gently plucked guitar and subdued drums. Unfortunately the record doesn’t continue in this manner, Lambert instead backed by an electric guitar and overworked electronics.

‘Malcolm’ comes across nice and pastoral when the glockenspiel finds its place amongst the various electronic components, yet it doesn’t - unfortunately - shake off the feeling that this record could have - and should have - been made with a bit less emphasis on production. ‘Lucky Adam’, thankfully, decides to avoid the territory of long, pointless instrumentation and almost sighed, wordless vocals, deciding instead to keep under three minutes and become the album’s highlight. Ironically, it’s here where Merz claims he’s ‘singing a pitiful tune’.

In his bookshop shows, should Merz win anyone over, it’s likely to be this no more than pleasant music will attract those shoppers in the ‘tragic life stories’ section, who might want something to sit on the coffee table. At the same time, his electronic folk shouldn’t distract the rest of us too much.