Meursault’s third album sees them break new boundaries to produce what is undoubtedly their best album to date, and probably one of the best of this year so far.
From the slow burning beginnings of ‘Thumb’ while it’s gradually building, “We will not be weakened anymore,” refrain referencing the album title, Meursault go from strength to strength. There is more of a cohesive band feel to this album, and that was evident when we spoke to frontman Neil Pennycook about it’s inception.
Many of the songs on the album will already be familiar to fans, such as ‘Lament for a Teenage Millionaire’ – which is a reworking of a song off of 2008’s ‘Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing with Tongues’ – while ‘Flittin’’ and ‘Settling’ have long been mainstays of their live set. However, each of the songs have improved since I last heard them, with the strings in particular being brought to the forefront. This was particularly evident at their album launch where they played with a nine-piece string ensemble.
Later songs on the album, also, do not disappoint. With ‘Dull Spark’ and the epic ‘Dearly Distracted’ being particular highlights. ‘Dull Spark’ is probably the most upbeat song Meursault have every written and it flies along at quite a pace, becoming almost poppy in it’s exuberance. While ‘Dearly Distracted’ is a beautiful 7mins 35secs including a full-blown hair turned to the wind guitar solo. However, it doesn’t feel forced, it doesn’t feel contrived, and against the odds actually works. This is something I feel they could not really have gotten away with on their previous effort, ‘Crank Revolutions’ as it was more lo-fi, whereas ‘Something for the Weakened’ is much more finished, polished.
A final album highlight comes in the form of ‘Mamie’ a beautiful lament to a declining mind, complete with the trademark memorable lines that Meursault seem to have such a penchant for, “What the hell do you mean I am not invited?/this is my fucking party!”
All in all, this a great third effort that shows real progress from Meursault, for me they feel much tighter, more cohesive as a band and it really helps them create one of the best album I’ve heard so far this year.
Overall Rating : 4.5/5
Stand-out Tracks: ‘Dull Spark’ ‘Dearly Distracted’ and ‘Mamie’
