{"product_id":"meryl-streek-stories-they-dont-teach-you-at-school","title":"Meryl Streek - Stories They Don't Teach You At School","description":"\u003cp\u003eMuch like a teacher, \u003cstrong\u003eMeryl Streek\u003c\/strong\u003e imparts his knowledge and lived experiences to all who are willing to listen. His third album, \u003cem\u003eStories They Don’t Teach You At School\u003c\/em\u003e, serves as an alternative form of education, delivered through a visceral blend of factual soundbites and raw emotion, loops and samples, guitars and bass. The lyrics resonate with core values of compassion, resilience, and community—themes rarely explored within a classroom setting or seen in today's fragmented society. By prioritising conviction over commercial success, the Dublin artist's outspokenness may invite controversy. Yet beneath the fervor lies a profound desire for positive social change at home in Ireland, and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeryl Streek returned to Darkland Studios in Dublin to fine-tune the recordings previously made in a shed at the back of his ma's garden. Here he continued the genre-blurring nature of his earlier work, enticing listeners toward dissonant landscapes and hypnotic rhythms. Gentle piano tones collide with abrasive synths, creating a striking tension between beauty and noise. Streek tempers his rage when appropriate, integrating atmospheric textures and pop sensibilities into his ever-expanding sonic collage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs is tradition with any Meryl Streek record, \u003cem\u003eStories They Don’t Teach You At School\u003c\/em\u003e unearths many uncomfortable truths. \u003cem\u003eRotten Fruit\u003c\/em\u003e examines media manipulation and the numbing proliferation of misinformation, all soundtracked by synth-punk. With gliding keys and a crunchy bassline, \u003cem\u003eCouncil Estates\u003c\/em\u003e critiques systemic government failures affecting the working class. \u003cem\u003eKelly\u003c\/em\u003e is a slice of electronica that details an ongoing criminal investigation, currently classified as a “Contested Cause of Death”. The indie pop of \u003cem\u003eThe Chancer\u003c\/em\u003e brings much-needed attention to landlord politicians. As the album progresses, the mission remains absolute: to provide a voice for the voiceless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo amplify these narratives, Meryl Streek handpicked a diverse group of collaborators for the project. \u003cem\u003eRotten Fruit\u003c\/em\u003e features \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Ignorant\u003c\/strong\u003e of anarcho-punk collective \u003cstrong\u003eCRASS\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eDepression\u003c\/em\u003e opens with a touching recording of the late \u003cstrong\u003eLiam Norton\u003c\/strong\u003e, close friend and former touring companion, while \u003cstrong\u003ePete Holidai\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eThe Radiators From Space\u003c\/strong\u003e contributes guitars on the song. Comedian \u003cstrong\u003ePhill Jupitus\u003c\/strong\u003e provides the spoken outro for \u003cem\u003eThe Chancer'.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eHousing For All\u003c\/em\u003e incorporates audio from Derelict Ireland campaigners \u003cstrong\u003eFrank O’Connor\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJude Sherry\u003c\/strong\u003e. Venn Records owner and \u003cstrong\u003eGallows \u003c\/strong\u003eguitarist \u003cstrong\u003eLaurent ‘Lags’ Barnard\u003c\/strong\u003e joins forces with \u003cstrong\u003eAdebisi Shank\u003c\/strong\u003e bassist \u003cstrong\u003eVinny McCreith\u003c\/strong\u003e on the aggressive \u003cem\u003eBullet,\u003c\/em\u003e while \u003cstrong\u003eSophie Porter\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eOther Half\u003c\/strong\u003e provides bass guitar for \u003cem\u003eLife is Not a Rehearsal\u003c\/em\u003e. The album concludes with a three-minute spoken word piece by Frankie McNamara, the viral creator behind \u003cem\u003eMeditations for the Anxious Mind\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her 1990 protest anthem \u003cem\u003eBlack Boys on Mopeds,\u003c\/em\u003e the late Sinead O’Connor warned, “To say what you feel is to dig your own grave”. With this release, Meryl Streek firmly holds the shovel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VENN RECORDS","offers":[{"title":"Dinked Edition #419 - Clear With Red Splatter Vinyl","offer_id":58199036920153,"sku":"SDZ-46760","price":31.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pink Marble Vinyl LP","offer_id":58193899913561,"sku":"SDZ-46758","price":22.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":58193899946329,"sku":"SDZ-46759","price":13.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/419_Thumb_45e890eb-5e1c-459f-9197-a8518048bc1d.png?v=1780478807","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/meryl-streek-stories-they-dont-teach-you-at-school","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}