Customer Reviews

Bonfire of Vanities

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the most recent CD from Mercy Creek. Ever since their first CD, their music has grown and improved. They were great to begin with, and now irresistable with this current CD. My favorite song is "I'll Find a Place" (listen to it and you may figure out why). Mercy Creek calls their music "alternative folk". Many people get scared away by "folk" music, but Mercy Creek is more than a folk band. They have soul, rhythm, and Cheryl (lead singer and guitarist) can sing and play. If you've ever heard them perform live, you know what I mean. If you haven't, go see them! I highly recommend any of their CDs, especially this recent 2-CD album.

Mercy Creek sounds like what the White Stripes only wish they could sound like. Rocking and driving with an obvious homage to their folky roots, this exciting duo is one of the few bands that would feel equally at home on the Top 40 Rock charts and on the Top 40 Folk charts.

Like most great duos, they are consistently releasing better and better albums and this, their latest, will blow you away. It's almost scary to think how good the next album will be if they stay on the same track....

2005's Bonfire of Vanities is the fourth album from folk/roots rock band Mercy Creek, one of the best-kept secrets of the Virginia music scene. I caught one of the band's live performances back in 2000 and have been a fan ever since, even though this isn't typically my kind of music.

This album threw me for a loop when I first heard it. Bonfire of Vanities' opening track "Born to Rock" did exactly that, and is easily the band's hardest rocking song since "Drawn to the Fire" from the debut. The album soon moved back into familiar territory with the more laid back "Turn to Rain" and the serenely moving "Ready or Not." Jim Ball and Cheryl Nystrom continue to make an amazing songwriting pair, and Nystrom's voice is as soulful, emotional and powerful as ever. They're not exactly breaking any new ground here, but Bonfire of Vanities is another impressive album that's worlds better than the average mainstream rock release.

Any new Mercy Creek album is reason to celebrate, but Bonfire of Vanities offered a nice bonus in the form of a second disc full of live tracks. If you've seen Mercy Creek live, you know that they're really something special, and the songs on this disc reflect that. It's not as good as the real thing, but it's still pretty terrific!

Mercy Creek is a criminally overlooked band that could easily appeal to fans of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dave Matthews Band and Sheryl Crow. If you like good rock music, do yourself a favor and check this band out. Between the studio album and the live "best of" disc, Bonfire of Vanities is a great way to discover Mercy Creek.

First caught them by accident at a festival here in VA a few weeks ago, and they blew me away. She has an incredible voice, and the original music is exactly that - truly original. Will be driving all the way to Richmond VA to see them this week. Well worth it. Great great band to see with your lady. Google them and check their schedule - if they are in your area, GO! You won't be disappointed!

This CD is incredable. Not only do you get new Mercy Creek, but you get to hear her live! (CD2) It's almost as good as seeing her perform live! If you ever get the chance do it (see her live) she'll blow your mind! I have all 5 CD's. I love every one of them and can't wait for then next. The funny thing is I don't even like county music!!!