the mercy alliance

Album Review:
The Mercy Alliance | Some Kind of Beautiful Story

The Mercy Alliance is one of those rare bands that can find and maintain a happy balance between driving rhythms, serene songwriting, and engaging yet ethereal arrangements.  This is due in no small part to the group’s core member, singer-songwriter/guitarist Joe Rathbone. Along with a team of highly talented session musicians, Rathbone’s The Mercy Alliance has generated a remarkably strong indie pop/rock album in the form of 2014’s Some Kind of Beautiful Story.  Joining Rathbone are drummers David Lopez and former Counting Crows member, Steve Bowman, bassist Brad Jones, and producer/keyboardist, Thomas Johansen.  Worth noting from the get go is that whether it’s Lopez or Bowman on drums, the dynamic they form with Jones is tremendous.  And Rathbone himself takes a unique approach to the guitar, often substituting distinct solos for effect laden atmospheres.  This creates an album that can be as driving as it is moody as it is melodic, all tied into a definitively indie pop style. “Washington” is perhaps the most straightforward track on the album and while not quite indicative of the sound of the record in general; it is a lovely song to open with.  Rathbone’s voice is very pleasing and soothing, well matched by the beautiful jangle of the backing guitars.  The bass is also very prominent, pushing the song forward even more so than the drums; a good decision considering the tone of the piece.  Actually the tone’s somewhat reminiscent of America; think along the lines of “Ventura Highway.” More in line with the album’s general feel is “All For the Love of You.” Here we’re exposed to the layered guitars and keyboards that give the piece a different kind of feel; like a poppier version of Radiohead or the more experimental side of U2.  The rapid drumming and thumping bass keep the song moving forward, but it’s a combination of the vocals and keys that actually deliver the songs sense of melody. Rathbone’s guitar churns and drones, creating a certain energy upon which the vocals and keys charge themselves. Just past the album’s midpoint is a back to back dose of beautifully rich arrangements with a melancholic touch.  “This is How They Know” and “I Can’t Do It” both feature string arrangements by David Henry, and they’re more compelling for it. Even without the strings, each song would be stirring in its own right, especially on the latter given its organ like keyboards and engaging lyrical hook.  The former has a deeper vocal from Rathbone, one that resonates more with the stronger bass.  But each of the tracks finds their singer more morose and reflective; an emotion that’s enhanced by the strings.  On a different end of the emotional spectrum comes “Libertine,” a fairly stomping song that’s as rocking as they get here but it still holds up in the context of the album overall.  Rathbone’s guitar work is more aggressive, coming into the forefront to deliver a series of dirty, bluesy licks in a way we don’t normally hear him play. So not only does it reveal his depth as a guitarist, but it also leads to a powerfully compelling piece of songwriting. The closing track, “Drifting In” is an interesting note to end on, considering its mixture of relaxed vocals and tense guitar work.  At the heart of the song is a very relaxed, ethereal vocal performance.  As the title suggests, the singer does seem to drift through the piece, and the bass and drums are fairly unwavering in their methodical beat; something that helps further the almost trance inducing nature of the music.  However, lurking behind all of it is a whirring of guitar that often develops into a churning series of distorted, urgent lines.  We’re left with an odd combination of tones, one that is very passive, and the other that is forebodingly aggressive.  The synergy between them is quite effective, easing the listener into the setting but compelling them to remain alert to the song’s unique sound. The remainder of Some Kind of Beautiful Story is no less compelling than the aforementioned tracks.  The Mercy Alliance matches compelling songwriting with fantastic musicianship and sports one of the more powerful and entertaining rhythm sections in the indie pop world.  Some parallels could be drawn to bands like Coldplay, but even then, The Mercy Alliance has cultivated its own sound, backed by the writing talents of Joe Rathbone.  Some Kind of Beautiful Story is indeed beautiful, and with its high points on display, you won’t need to search long for the kind of beauty it has.

Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)
Review by: Heath Andrews, 5/9/14