“Stephin Merritt is a classicist and a mischief maker. You might say he makes mischief about classicism: that his art investigates, celebrates and lampoons the traditional pop song. He’s an expert craftsman who writes tight little songs with shapely melodies. His music pulls together Tin Pan Alley and 1960s Wall of Sound pop, ticky-tacky drum machines and synths; his storytelling brings a bohemian world into focus through arch aphorisms, dirty jokes and rhymes that scan impeccably.”
So says The New York Times in their feature “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.” He finds himself on a list that includes Lucinda Williams, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, and many other luminaries. You can check out the whole list here.