Straight Answer in a Crooked Town

Frank Valish, Rockpile
Chris Merola presents himself on SAIACT as a singer/songwriter with elaborate vision. His style is folk with strains of country, blues and rock'n'roll, but this is not a one-man-with-an-acoustic-guitar gig. In fact, Merola plays the majority of instruments on this album. Vocally, Merola might remind one of a countrified Dave Pirner. All in all, what fills this album is quality down-home songwriting. At over 71 minutes, however, it can be difficult to digest when consumed whole. When taken in moderation, SAIACT is brilliantly satisfying.

About the Artist
A heartfelt new sound has emerged from the NY indie music scene. On his first solo recording, "Straight Answer in A Crooked Town," Chris Merola not only taps into the roots of great American rock, he picks up where his influences left off.

Growing up in the Hudson Valley just north of New York City, music has always been his passion. Chris honed his soulful tele style by playing out before he was old enough to even enter a bar. While hes played in more bands then he can remember, the one that made a difference came along in 1994, the Rain Deputies.

After placing an ad in The Village Voice, he hooked up with a NYC transplant, guitarist Marc Jacoby. Marc was signed to Columbia Records and toured nationally with Pilgrim Souls. With both Chris and Marc having a deep connection to American roots music and hungry to put together a guitar driven band, the Rain Deputies went on to become one of the most successful indie acts north of NYC, mixing their fiery brand of straight between the eyes roots-rock with keen observational lyrics. In March 1994 their debut CD made CMJ's Jackpot Pick as well as being named Best New Artist and snagging Best New CD by Westchester Weekly's Wammie Award.

Even Coca-Cola heard something in their sound using Chris' song "Somewhere In Between" for their "Make A Little Noise" national campaign in 1995. They went on to release an all acoustic album "Backporchindeliblesunburstfinish" which garnered national reviews and attracted fans as far away as Spain and Italy. Marc left shortly there after and while briefly performing as a trio, the band eventually split. "Everyone wanted to do other things," said Merola. "After the Deputies parted ways I didn't want to start, or be in another band for a while. I wandered around a bit and began playing solo acoustic gigs. The whole time I was working on songs."

Satisfying his wanderlust resulted in a full CD of new material "Straight Answer in A Crooked Town," available on Cropduster Records. Chris' CD highlights his unique guitar playing and throaty vocals which compliment this collection of dark Americana folk rock. Recorded on a 4-track cassette in his apartment, Merola has cultivated a leaner, starker sound while incorporating new instruments--baritone guitar, violin, tenor banjo-- into his musical palette. From the painfully autobiographical "Last Ride," to the tour de force power of "Junkyard Balladeer." With eyes wide open he paints a landscape of characters seeking escape in "Eden's Bridge," "Weight of the Wind," and the emotionally gripping "Hole in the Road."

Straight Answer in A Crooked Town not only chronicles the journey of an artist and poet, it signals the direction in which he is headed. Each listen confirms Chris Merola is on the right path.

Band Members: Chris Merola - vocals, guitar; Marc Jacoby - guitar, vocals; Peter Wilson - drums; Sean Seymour - bass, vocals.

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