I see more than a few love many artists on Merge, and I am just getting into Spoon, as of now. Any other fav's?? Dinosaur Jr. is a long-time fav, but haven't listened to The Magnetic Fields or M Ward.....

...and, as in another thread, don't bother with NMH.

First of all, bother with Neutral Milk Hotel, they're amazing.

Arcade Fire are my favorite artist off that label, followed by Spoon, NMH, Crooked Fingers, M. Ward, Magnetic Fields, ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead (they're not on merge anymore, but still), Destroyer, The Clientele, Lou Barlow, Lambchop, and Superchunk.

Check out Charm of the Highway Strip or 69 Love songs by Magnetic Fields, Transfiguration of Vincent by M. Ward, and Funeral by Arcade Fire.

Also, check out Is a Woman or Nixon by Lambchop.

holyshit i have never heard of the merge label before, but they sound awesome

i already own like half the bands you listed i'm to going to AMG the label and check out some fresh stuff.
Thanks

If i could think of one label that stands out to me its got to be merge. The Arcade Fire are amazing and I am just now listening to the Clientele. Not to mention Spoon, NMH....need I say more.

Merge's level of consistency is amazing. They've put out two records in 2007 (David Kilgour and the Broken West) and both are great. They'll get no critical uptake because everyone will go ga-ga over the Arcade Fire, but Merge really does put out top notch records.

They do. The label's been forced on me since I was a teenager. Only recently have I really grown to appreciate their pure consistency.

Polvo what???

Anyone mention the Shout Out Louds?

Merge has had a fantastic 2007, IMO:

The Broken West
The Arcade Fire
The Rosebuds
The Clientele
Spoon
The Shout Out Louds

All of those bands have put out records that I am enjoying this year.

These bands have put out records that I haven't bought yet, but I'm sure I'll enjoy when and if I get them:

Caribou
Imperial Teen
The Ladybug Transistor

And two releases by Robert Pollard on the way in October!! [okay, that was faux excitement, because I'm sure I'll be disappointed with both of these no matter how much I love Uncle Bob]

Seriously though, Merge has been a terrific label for nearly 20 years now. Anyone looking to check out their back catalog should seek out the three disc compilation that came out a few years ago titled, Old Enough To Know Better: 15 Years of Merge Records

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
These bands have put out records that I haven't bought yet, but I'm sure I'll enjoy when and if I get them:

Caribou

Definitely man, I really like this album which is unusual for me, because I don’t really like the genre all that much. I hope you do like it when you pick it up.

I also agree with you on the list of quality albums that Merge has put out, especially the Spoon, Arcade Fire and The Broken West mentions.