Customer Reviews

Mercy Now

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am probably the last person you would expect to be enthusiastic over what is billed as a 'country' album. Whatever that is. But, for some reason, I've heard 'Mercy Now' four times in the past five days, and if country music always sounded like that song, I would be listening to a whole lot more of it. I would call Gauthier's work country/folk and the in name for that definition seems to be Southern Gothic, a genre name that doesn't make a whole lot sense to me. But the songs on this album, they make sense to me, as they would to anyone who loves carefully crafted, gritty lyrics.

Yes, these are often dark songs. Yet somehow the upbeat peeks through almost unexpectedly. Mercy Now and Prayer Without Words are good examples of that. In other words, they may be sad, but they aren't hopeless, and that little bit of a hook will grab you every time. There is a subtle spirituality here as well - listen to Wheel Inside The Wheel, for example:

Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

This is interesting work, even if, at its heart it is still about broken relationships, human disasters, being down and out, etc. And there is intelligence behind the lyrics, and a real artistry behind the songs. Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean.

Gauthier has a true Southern whiskey voice, complete with edgy whine. And yet it is capable of a surprising number of colors, from really down and out to gently caring, and oh yes, just a dash of pointed sarcasm. I Drink is a masterpiece of the latter. In an interview, Gauthier mentioned that she often rewrites a song several hundred times, and this level of craftsmanship shows everywhere.

This will probably be my one and only country album, but it is surely one I'll listen to often.

Two admissions at the outset: First, my wife and I have known Mary Gauthier since the beginning of her singing career in the Boston area. Also, I like folk music but I hate hate hate hate weepy, slide-guitar country. Always have. Those said, I can't express sufficiently in words how terrific an album this is. I thought Filth and Fire (Mary's previous album) had been her best. It was, until Mercy Now. The title song is achingly gorgeous, and this and the rest of the album showcase perfectly Mary's increasing musical maturity. She's admittedly not for everyone. Mary will be the first to tell you that she's never written a happy song in her life, and if the downbeat nature of her music isn't your taste that's understandable enough. For anyone who's never heard her music before, though, her dead honest lyrics and absolutely unique voice, with Gurf Morlix's producing expertise, make Mercy Now one of the best albums of 2005 and an ideal way to hear Mary Gauthier (pronounced GoSHAY) for the first time.

If you thought her last album "Filth & Fire" was good, you won't be disappointed with this one. The opening track has shades of Leonard Cohen but it does lighten up (a little!) from there on. Almost all my favourite recent albums share the same producer, the ubiquitous Gurf Morlix.

Great lyrics and a variety of musical influences from Harlan Howard to Lucinda Williams. After four playings, I cannot name a single weak track on this superb album.

Please visit us in Ireland soon, Mary.

Undeniably the best and most personal piece of music I have ever listened to in my entire life. I happened on the video for Mercy Now on tv and was spellbound. Immediately, I went and ordered the cd. Anyone who has ever felt the pain of hitting bottom will have no choice but to react to this cd. I am undone.

"Falling out of love is a dangerous thing,
with it's slippery slopes and it's weighted wings,
with it's birds of prey circling overhead
Casting vulture shadows on barren beds."

I am undone.

I picked this up yesterday having never heard of Mary Gauthier. I was hooked after listening to a couple of cuts. This isn't your average country album. It does start off a little dark but gets lighter as it goes on. Her music tells a story thats missing from alot of today's artists. If you're looking for something a little different, pick this cd up today.

I have to give Bob Dylan and his XM Satellite Radio show a big Thank You for leading me to Mary Gauthier. On Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour which focused on booze, he played "I Drink" from Mercy Now. I was sold. There's not much more to say than has already been said. Great songs, great voice, great CD.

I felt my body go into a transformation while listening to "Falling Out of Love." I didn't return to my original state until the CD introduced silence at its end. When I came back to the here and now, I felt like I had just flown through a whirlwind tour... through the dust, over the concrete and pavement, feeling the sweat, the tears, the strength many of us experience in our own lives.

But her stories aren't represented of what we consider "today." Her story-telling is evocative of the nostalgic. The slower pace that's been blown in the dust by our typical routines and life's moments. And for the most part, her tales are solemn and deep. There are no songs of joy to be found on this (or any of Gauthier's?) CD.

Her voice is alluring and arresting . Her stories are interesting to listen to. The music is just plain perfect in its ability to take the listener in and show him around.

Listen to this album a few times, and a number of the songs will burn themselves indelibly into your brain. The songs are bleak, but the songwriting is of the highest order -- each image is exactly apt. Her voice is a perfect match for the material, as well.

To my ears Mary Gauthier's MERCY NOW is one of the strongest releases of 2005. A solid album that falls into that commercial wasteland that is named either Alt-Country or Americana or Folk. Full of haunting lyricsm taut playing and consistantly strong songs, it certainly deserves more exposure than it has been afforded to this point. It has the sound of a classic.

The best description that I can give of MERCY NOW is a comparison to Lucinda William's last two records, ESSENCE and WORLD WITHOUT TEARS. Like these two albums, MERCY NOW trots out a harrowing world view that is leavened at best with some very black humor (see the stunning I DRINK). Listeners looking for upbeat, life-affirming mesages, may wish to look elsewhere. Another parallel to William's work is the presence of Gurf Morlix, a former Lucinda compatriot as producer. He does an exellent job of keeping things spare and supportive of Gauthier's searing lyrics and solid songcraft.

Every song included is a jewel with the chilling opener FALLING OUT OF LOVE, the tender MERCY NOW, the Big Easy fable WHEEL INSIDE A WHEEL and the aforementioned I DRINK standing out. This is my first exposure to Gauthier's music, and I will definately seek out other releases.

Mary Gauthier keeps getting better. This album grabs your heart, ear and funny bone on the first listen, and provides lasting pleasure and listening satisfaction. "I Drink" was on a previous album of hers, but nestles right into the songs here. The song "Mercy Now" is towering; just the lyric alone regarding her brother being "shackled to his doubt and his fear" is worth the price of the CD. If you ever have the chance to see Mary live, don't miss it. The songs aren't happy and uplifting but you'll leave that way.