Harvey Danger
Where Have All The Merrymakers Gone?


4.0
excellent

Review

by Supercoolguy64 USER (86 Reviews)
March 11th, 2016 | 31 replies


Release Date: 1997 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A youthful debut by one of the most well-kept musical secrets

Harvey Danger’s debut full length album Where Have The Merrymakers Gone? was a well-kept secret hidden away from the majority of the public. It was a secret very few cared about, which is a damn shame, for it contains more than enough substance to deserve repeated listens by pretty much everyone. The recording contains the perfect mix of youthful spring break teenage fun and smart ass wit to make it more than just “that one CD with that one song on it”.

When it comes to this album, a majority of the tracks revolve around the bass, performed by the unfortunately now late Aaron Huffman. Literally the first thing you hear on this album is the buzzy, distorted, and catchy-as-hell bassline provided by him, which perfectly sets the album’s mood. I’m of course talking about “Carlotta Valdez”, a track that shows of the rest of the band’s skills incredibly well. Guitarist Jeff J. Lin uses his strings to ice the bass, adding a cool atmosphere to it that’s comparable to that of a summer breeze. Evan Sult also shows off his drum set nicely here, adding some nice, tight fills to the overall mix that adds to the care-free atmosphere. The vocals, provided by Sean Nelson, are also catchy and memorable, each line sung with a youthful passion.

Lyrically, the album ranges from stories of improving past relationships to paying respects to passing relatives. As one could tell, song topics on this album are not predictable, but one thing that’s guaranteed with this album is the quality of the lyrics themselves. The lyrics these guys could come up with are incredible, especially on slower, moodier tracks such as “Radio Silence”. It’s obvious how thought out they are, for lines like “Some people surprise you with a real depth of feeling, and others may shock you with all that they’re revealing, but one thing’s for sure: there’s always more than you ask you” sound like they were taken straight out of an intellectual novel written by a famous writer.

The main downside with the album, however, is that the later portion of the record feels very flat when compared to the rest of the album. “Old Hat” and “Terminal Annex” have very little depth to them, or at least it seems that way when they’re shelved in between tracks like “Jack The Lion”, a heartwarming indie-punk tribute to a deceased father, and “Wrecking Ball”, a somber, quiet ballad of sorts that never fails at pulling my heartstrings. In other words, they’re dull tracks that are wedged in an inspiring album.

And while Harvey Danger’s fame didn’t last for more than 15 minutes, their catalog contained a beautiful amount of passion and inspiration that warrants enough respect by fans of rock music. Where Have The Merrymakers Gone? is the most youthful recording of the band, thus making it perhaps the best starting point for those interested in the band. With all of this said, I myself feel as though I need to say something to pay my respects to not only Mr. Huffman, but the band as a creative outlet, and what better way to do so than by quoting perhaps one of the best songs they’ve ever written:

We thank you for uniting,
We thank you for the cause,
We thank you for the lion,
We thank you for the claws.




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user ratings (113)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
TerminalC (3.5)
Like a Zero Drowning In A Sea of Higher Numbers...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Supercoolguy64
March 11th 2016


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

After hearing about with happened to Aaron, I felt that I needed to write this now since I've been wanting to write a review for this album for a while now. Might even do King James Version and Little By Little later on.

Mort.
March 11th 2016


26091 Comments


Wanted to stay away from talking about flagpole sitta eh?

Supercoolguy64
March 11th 2016


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i was actually going to have like a whole paragraph talking about it but i figured it would just be sorta useless since most people who are already aware of this album/band pretty much already know all about that song

Mort.
March 11th 2016


26091 Comments


True true. Only song i know about them, drilled into my head due to peep show

Archelirion
March 11th 2016


6594 Comments


Excellent review dude. I do slightly prefer KJV to this overall, but both are excellent. There's something I really, really love about Sean Nelson's vocals.

elliootsmeuth
March 11th 2016


4011 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Sad that this album isn't talked about more. Everyone knows "that flagpole song", but this album is such an underrated album. It doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Dunpeal
September 7th 2016


4454 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

still absolutely love this album

elliootsmeuth
March 14th 2017


4011 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

3.6 is a travesty

Archelirion
March 14th 2017


6594 Comments


Agreed hard

elliootsmeuth
September 7th 2017


4011 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This band name has gotten a bit more relevant in recent days.

theNateman
September 27th 2017


3809 Comments


Damn this album slams. An album this good shoulda been a smash hit.

Supercoolguy64
September 28th 2017


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

nobody likes what i like

that's how i like it

Deathconscious
August 7th 2018


27465 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

sweet.

deathschool
November 29th 2018


28936 Comments


Eh, this is pretty hit or miss

xfearbefore
December 14th 2018


2050 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding

Supercoolguy64
December 14th 2018


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

the creatures cloning and feeding...and i dont even own a tv!

Source
March 16th 2019


19917 Comments


I WANNA PIERCE MY TONGUE
IT DOESN'T HURT
IT FEELS FIIIIINE

Supercoolguy64
September 15th 2019


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

here the voices in my head, i swear to god it sounds like they're SNORING

and if they're BORED then you're BORING

exciter
October 17th 2019


6 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Decent review but I disagree with the fourth paragraph. Terminal Annex is the second best song after Flagpole.

Supercoolguy64
February 17th 2020


11851 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

You complain about your overflown cup

Don't forget that I'm the one that filled that FUCKER up



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