"Mercy" is the first release of Abandon Jalopy, the solo project of Brad Smith. Formerly of Blind Melon, Smith is most notably the author of that band's signature song, "No Rain." Though Smith was the bass player with Blind Melon, he was also the songwriter (Shannon Hoon was the singer and died in 1995). Smith's songwriting focuses on the simple pleasures that music can bring, and "Mercy" displays Smith's depth of talent. Joining Smith in several tracks are the remaining members of Blind Melon and Squirrel Nut Zippers.
"Mercy" is largely a collection of autobiographical songs. There are no earth-shattering musical risks taken and some of the accompaniment becomes repetitive. Neither of these can really be considered as faults because the album, taken in whole or in part, simply is quite easy to listen to and enjoy because of Smith's high quality songwriting and performance style.
"Mercy" begins with "Instead," a song relating Smith's childhood - partially spent at his grandmother's Mississippi home - to his adult life. Many of the lessons he felt he could have learned from her he has missed or does not follow: "Instead of going to work, smoke a doobie." This quite possibly the most memorable track on the album and I have found myself humming the tune after owning the album for just a few short days.
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Smith's journey from his hometown to the early days in Los Angles before Blind Melon is chronicled in "Slow Down Good Times." "Channel Changer" displays a lyrical highlight in its opening lines: "Decided just today to kill my television/Death by cathode ray was my decision ... Now I'm the firmly planted channel changer man." "Channel Changer" questions why cruelty is so easy, omnipresent and tolerated.
"Wishbone" provides interesting commentary on how style and substance are often confused. It also touches the topic of the difficulty of finding love and the pain of being alone.
Smith is joined on "Stompin' the Fuse" and "On the Blink" by the remaining members of Blind Melon, Hoon having died of a drug overdose in 1995. "Stompin' the Fuse" serves to explore Smith's feelings about Hoon's death and the effect on his life. Both anger and sorrow are explored, providing an intimate and clear view of a personal pain.
Brad Smith is credited with the following array of instruments: guitar, bass, drums, vocals, baritone horn, flute, percussion, organ and jawharp. Given that range of performance, Smith's talent can hardly be in doubt. What some listeners might object to is his style. Simply put, it is introspective, simple, intimate, and very chill.
The performance is acoustic with no perceptible electronic intrusions. The few hooks present in each of the songs certainly will never take the place of pop mainstream in their ability to stick in your head. Truth be told, Smith's intentions aren't only to entertain but to express his emotions.
There is nothing blazing about "Mercy." Smith's talents and objectives are still entirely focused on a rejection of some of the basic premises that popular music returns to quite often. Loud and fast do not necessarily equal good or interesting. What is important and so good about this album is that it does what every good album should do: it forces the listener to explore the sounds and messages presented and appreciate the album on its own terms.
"Mercy" highlights everything that was right with music in the early- to mid-1990s, kind of a Blind Melon in an updated form. Simplicity can be important and rewarding to the listener's ear. Brad Smith's sound is not to be confused with attempts to be "retro" or to imitate that purity of sound and purpose. Smith was an important part of music during the early '90s and is still producing as high-quality material as he has in the past.
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