The Alternative Star.com

Album: Merit – Arson is for Lovers

Released: March 24, 2009 (Self Released)

Maybe it’s just me but after Paramore hit it big, there have been a larger number of female fronted punk bands popping up everywhere. Merit is one of them but don’t discount them for following a so called trend. This Syracuse, New York quartet don’t back down either, “Fess Up” has an overly catchy chorus and is a great pop punk song, however this record still has a bit of diversity thrown in. “Mourning Dove” is a much slower track, it’s certainly closer to a general pop rock song accessible enough for everyone. “Blue Bedroom” is probably one of the strongest tracks on the record; it pleasantly surprised me more than anything else. I won’t lie,  Merit’s Arson Is For Lovers has not converted me to be a huge fan of female singers however at the same time, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t better than I was expecting it to be. Compared to TAT, I’m not impressed but it beats Hey Monday any day of the week and is certainly worth a listen at that rate.

Final Verdict? 3/5

Hear it for yourself at www.arsonisforlovers.com

Reviewed by: Deborah Remus