Humble Abode 
The packaging which houses Michael Merenda’s latest record, “Quiver,” speaks volumes to the type of musician Merenda is. He and fiancée Ruth Ungar (both a part of the well-known string-band The Mammals) hand-folded the case, complete with a flap and slot to keep it closed (à la a cereal box), and it features artwork hand drawn by Ungar herself. Merenda is hard working, crafty and talented.

The opener “Crutch” proves the point, showcasing Merenda’s writing prowess and complementing harmonies by Merenda and Ungar as they sing: “Falling down ain’t easy / But it takes your mind off, that old crutch / This world may be crazy / It was never meant to hold this much, to hold this much, to hold this much, to hold this much....” Ungar also adds a tasty Neil Young-esque harmonica bit in-between verses, mixing nicely with Merenda’s subtle finger-picked acoustic guitar.

“Quiver” is stamped with the “Humble Abode” label that has been the home to past Mammals records and all of Merenda’s solo efforts, as well. It’s Merenda’s third solo release, and his most focused and polished piece of work yet. He mixes traditional folk influence, including his experiences with The Mammals, and warps them into catchy folk-rock tunes, sometimes reminiscent of a children’s song for us bigger kids. His voice, often sounding like that of a young lad, is the perfect complement for these “storytelling” compositions. The lyrical style is powerful and poignant, too, as evidenced on “The Engine & The Emergency Brake.”

Merenda quietly sings over  his intricately plucked acoustic, while backed by Ken Maiuri’s lush organ playing which sits somewhere in the background: “My Body it was faithful, My mind it was on fire / Some say it’s the devil, But I know its desire / My Body it was patient, my mind wouldn’t let it go / I need a vacation, Go be somewhere all alone / Her body was a temple, Her mind was a trap / We’d go a million miles an hour just tryin’ to take a nap / I knew all the risks, All the comfort that’s at stake / In the end the engine was just stronger than the emergency brake…” It’s one of the album’s many highlights, but “Quiver” is a solid effort from front to back.

You can find Michael Merenda playing a rare solo gig as part of the Hush Hush Sweet Harlot music series at the Red Door on Monday, November 6. Find him online at www.michaelmerenda.com for more information and to purchase CDs.
—Ch