Gothic Archies

When Stephin Merritt started the Gothic Archies, the intention was to write catchy songs where "any glimmer of hope is absolutely extinguished.” For most "Merrittphiles,” the moniker has been dormant for almost a decade, though since 1999 he’s been secretly writing songs for each audio book instalment of the Lemony Snicket series. To coincide with the series’ 13th and final book, The End, we’re treated to this compilation of masterfully morbid numbers such as "Scream and Run Away” and "Smile! No One Cares How You Feel.” Merritt’s devilish couplets are cleverer than ever; writing nightmarish nursery rhymes makes his rhyme schemes funnier than ever, taking their place alongside the best of Gorey. And unlike the self-imposed musical limitations of his more recent work, The Tragic Treasure’s lyrical consistency allows Merritt to jump all over the musical map, recalling the best moments on 69 Love Songs — an album that will always be his high water mark, but this threatens to run a close second.