So, folks you find me once again playing catch up with reviews due to ill health and work commitments, I dutifully poked a stick into my messages and look what cried for mercy – ahem. As part of the British invasion of the Modern Rock scene my friends Cry For Mercy present the latest chapter in their journey. After much Twittering with the chaps, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. The band are James K Plant bassist, Andy Cutty on guitar and both providing the most wonderful of warbles, leaving Dan Smith on drums, collectively producing a clean yet, dare I say it, dirty rhythm and blues sound that is quite the tonic to revive and get us moving. Opening with a huge slab of riffery with ‘Sons and Daughters’ they wear their hearts on their sleeves, encouraging and brave in this business I reckon.
‘I’d Change Nothing’ is a sweet slice of Rock ‘n Roll, inviting and dynamic, reeling you in and duct taping your ears to the speakers.
‘I don’t want to mess you around, so I’ll give it to you straight’ oh ok then, and in comes ‘Sooner Or Later’ to continue the pounding and pummelling beats and relentless twanging of the frets. There is a thought process to their craft, intelligent and innately capturing the essence of the blues.
A little acoustic number next in ‘Maybe Man’ has quite the rustic, country sound, homely and welcoming. Exquisite guitar work, vocals that evoke meaningful and sensitive vibes. I love the intro to ‘Survival’ driving a million emotions into your soul in the first thirty seconds, leaving enough room for a beautiful pre-chorus and chorus, very nice. I am reminded of my friends Copperworm who also have a song called ‘Survival’ the same sort of idea but delivered in their own unique style. We close with ‘Down To The Wire’ which is the perfect finisher, the music twists and turns, sweeping up all the other songs and releasing them into the air, like a flurry of showstopping, kaleidoscopic balloons, it’s time to get carried away on this tide.
I suspect many a plectrum and drumstick has been martyred while recording and rehearsing, such assertive musicianship, songs that pull you up and energise you, and are possibly unashamed in telling you about the fucks they no longer give.
A host of foot stomping numbers on this album, dance the night away with these tracks, then die with your boots on.
Azra Pathan
Cry For Mercy – Time and Tide out now.