Customer Reviews

Mercy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Brad Smith is in my opinion the most under appreciated artist in music today. He has the ability to write beautiful music and sing incredible lyrics which everyone can connect to. Brad is remembered chiefly for writing Blind Melon's "No Rain", but if one listens to other songs he has written, they will realize just how gifted a musician he is. On "Abandon Jalopy" Brad Smith is nothing short of brilliant. Each song takes you into a completely different world that will leave you awestruck in its conclusion. It is impossible to single out a single track. If you are looking for a cd which has more than just catchy beats or cliche lyrics than by this. It is more than just music. This cd has serious depth.

This Album is an amazing suprise. I knew from articals that Brad Smith wrote alot of the songs for Blind Melon, but had no idea how strong his writting actually is. "On the Blink" is song that grabs you with a combination of hypnotic guitar and an amazingly methodical voice.

"She's An Original" featuring "The Squirel Nut Zippers" reminds me of the opening bit in the Blind Melon "Soup" record.

This album is "Root Filled" with many moods transcended throughout the entire record.

I look forward to the next record from this band.

Since I was on tour 2 years ago, I've been hooked on Abandon Jalopy. Of course, I was already a fan of Blind Melon, and I believe that Brad Smith is one of the greatest rock bassists/multi-instrumentalists out there-but I didn't EVER expect for Abandon Jalopy to be half of Blind Melon. Blown away by the sample I heard on their former website, I played it over and over-"Wake Up Bradley"...(that particular song is not on this album, but I hope it's on a future album). So my inroduction to Abandon Jalopy was nothing on the album here being reviewed.

Nontheless, I bought the album and EVERY SINGLE SONG was damned amazing:) For those who are musicians, this album is filled with tasty licks, amazing fills, and all around great musicianship. And for those unfortunate enough to not be musicians, this album is great for the lyrics and wonderful for any occassion. I could sit here and recommend certain tracks, but then again, I would just be listing off every track lol.

Not only does Brad Smith deliver his talents, but he also has the help of the remaining members of Blind Melon (RIP, Shannon Hoon). And since Blind Melon, as a whole and as one, was a group of amazing musicians and 2 guitarists that didn't step all over eachother, this album is a continuation of what could've would've should've been done with Blind Melon...but of course with the morbid twist.

When, oh when, will Abandon Jalopy go on tour?!?!?!

I was always a Blind Melon fan, but admittidly I didnt know much of the personal other than Shannon Hoon. I assumed he was the driving creative force behind Blind Melon. After listening to Mercy, now I can hear the contributions Brad Smith made to that band. This disc will certainly satisfy Blind Melon fans as all of that bands wonderful quirkiness is found here. Trippy lyrics,great guitar playing, and just unususal arraangments make this a great follow up to Soup. To me this is better than the Unified Therory disc, but I havent heard that one as much. But all in all this disc is highly reccommended by myself, and Im sure other Blind Melon fans will love it.

Abandon Jalopy's mercy is not a CD to be taken lightly.
As most reviewers stated Brad Smith is indeed late of Blind Melon, one of , if not the most underappreciated bands of the 90's.
Smith's vocal range/ability is a bit of a distraction on the disk. Though he hits his notes just fine and attempts some very unique stuff his voice, despite all the years of experience, doesn't project particularly well and I wonder if this has more to do with the original recording process than anything else. This will not impede your enjoyment of the music whatsoever, I guess I was just a bit shocked either by the mix or the ability, I don't know which.
Still, Smith delivers a record that is quite unlike anything currently being done while being refreshingly loyal to his southern roots and sensabilities. It is obvious where much of what I consider to be the 'overblown' B.M. arrangements comes from, Smith reaches far often going from quiet guitar introspection to grandiose orchestra arrangements and back again without even a change in tempo. This may result in music that's a bit schizophrenic at times, and may alienate listeners who are more 'hook prone'.
I must admit that I am slowly, but surely, ingesting the disk. Not everything blew me away at first listen, but the disk is slowly revealing itself and the journey seems well worth it. Smith uses very unique phrases and lyrics, peppered with wry humor and honest observation. I wish Brad had included a few liner notes regarding each song, it's genesis and all. Smith strikes me as the type of guy you'd love to spend an evening talking with, much in the same way Hoon seemed to connect with people on a very real/genuine level.
Be aware however, that this Cd as a musical statement, is all Brad, and though a few ex Meloner's appear as well as others, the disk definitely has a 'solo' tone throughout.
I wouldn't count on any tour to support it, though if he does I'm there!

Brad Smith is an extremly talentedartist.He plays alot of the instuments himself.And lyrics aregreat and I think alot of people can identify with.Very underatedmusician.The music is very eclecticand would appeal to open minded people.Simialr to Soup music wise.Every song goes somewhere new.Stompin'the fuse is about his old bandmate Shannon Hoon passing.Songs about his childhood,his wife,just an excellent all around album.Can't wait for his next.Maybe a tour too?

Melon fans will enjoy this different look, I'm a bass player and I really enjoy the deeper look into a musician I already admire. I really enjoy this album

We've been looking for this CD for such a long time and it is so worth the wait. All Blind Melon fans must get this. You'll be glad you did!