Fierce Mercy [LP]

by Colin Hay

Overview

Being a working songwriter suits Colin Hay. Arriving in early 2017, just two years after its predecessor Next Year People, Fierce Mercy bears many familiar traits from Hay's albums of the 21st century -- it's mellow yet wry, mellifluous with a bit of grit -- but it feels fuller and richer than its immediate predecessors. Hay handles the production on his own this time, and he's given himself a bigger, bolder palette, a shift that's evident from the opener "Come Tumblin' Down." Lively and bright, "Come Tumblin' Down" sets the tone for Fierce Mercy. While Hay certainly indulges in moments of quiet contemplation -- "Two Friends" is gentle and rustic, "A Thousand Million Reasons" offers a shimmering electronic balm, and "The Best in Me" is a signature, ambling, friendly pop tune -- Fierce Mercy is distinguished by the moments when Hay aims slightly for left of center. "Secret Love" rings out like a muted Phil Spector production," "Frozen Fields of Snow" rolls along with echoes of late-'60s progressive folk, and "I'm Going to Get You Stoned" has a soulful undercurrent that underpins a nice tale of a generational divide. This narrative could've fit on previous Hay albums, but what's appealing about "I'm Going to Get You Stoned" in specific, and Fierce Mercy overall, is how it's bathed in rich, vivid colors -- and that expanded sonic range makes this record a cut above Hay's reliably pleasurable offerings. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/02/2017
Label:	COMPASS RECORDS
UPC:	0766397468518

Tracks

1. Come Tumblin' Down
2. Secret Love
3. A Thousand Million Reasons
4. The Best in Me
5. Frozen Fields of Snow
6. The Last to Know
7. I'm Going to Get You Stoned
8. I'm Walking Here
9. Two Friends
10. She Was the Love of Mine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Colin Hay   Primary Artist,Bells,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Audley Freed   Guitar (Electric)
David Davidson   Violin
David Kemper   Drums
Garry West   Bass
Doug Lancio   Guitar (Electric)
Jim Grosjean   Viola
Jimmy Earl   Bass
Vance Powell   Bells,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Jim Hoke   Piano,Organ (Hammond)
Karen Winkelmann   Violin
Charlie Paxson   Drums
Toshi Yanagi   Guitar (Electric)
Alison Brown   Banjo
Jeff Babko   Piano,Accordion,Harpsichord
Cecilia Noel   Vocals (Background)
Fred Kron   Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Piano (Electric)
Michael Georgiades   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Max Merritt   Vocals (Background)
Janet Darnall   Violin
Craig Nelson   Bass
Alan Deremo   Bass
Carole Neuen-Rabinowitz   Cello
Belinda Skinner   Vocals (Background)
Elizabeth Lamb   Viola
Charissa Nielsen   Vocals (Background)
San Miguel Perez   Tres,Bongos,Congas,Effects Pedals,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Alicia Enstrom   Violin
Yosmel Montejo   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Leiser Tito   Trombone
Jonathan Eric Piazza   Vocals,Keyboards
Joe Lopez   Vocals

Technical Credits

Colin Hay   Composer,Engineer,Producer,String Arrangements
Vance Powell   Mixing
Richard Jacques   Composer
Randy LeRoy   Mastering
Cecilia Noel   Composer,Vocal Arrangement
Fred Kron   Programming,Orchestration,String Arrangements
Michael Georgiades   Composer
Robert Hakalski   Package Design,Cover Illustration
Gordon Hammond   Mixing,Engineer
Cristian Robles   Engineer
Stephen Lamb   Copyist
Sebastian Smith   Photography
Jonathan Eric Piazza   Composer,Programming
Jo Manuel Lopez   Composer