Oh Mercy
Privileged Woes
11 Track, LP (2009, Casadeldisco)
Related: Oh Mercy.
Oh Mercy are two fine young Melbourne boys who found themselves some extra musicians to form a proper band as grown-ups do. But from the credits and the photo on the sleeve it seems likely that Alexander Gow and Thomas Savage are still the driving force here. As a Brisbanite, it’s obligatory for me to compare Oh Mercy to The Go-Betweens at this point, with whom they share some ideas about summery melodies and pop songs with clever lyrics and references to street names – although there isn’t too much in the way of similarity beyond that.
Those familiar with their awesomely named In The Nude For Love EP will recognise the first two songs here. The relaxed ‘Lay Everything On Me’ perches at the top of the album like a hat at a jaunty angle and ‘Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time’ drops a “motherfucker” just in case your mum is listening, significantly lowering the chances that she’ll tell you it sounds like a lovely slice of catchy folk-pop and ruin your enjoyment of it forever.
The songs on Privileged Woes have a way of sounding familiar for their first few seconds, like maybe you heard them on the soundtrack to a movie from the 1980s, but that sense fades by the time the vocals kick in. Oh Mercy may take their cues from classic pop, but they aren’t slaves to it. Halfway through ‘Met A Wizard’, their gently piano-guided stylings give way to a churning vortex of electric guitar. Suddenly they’ve got balls. Great big, “Yeah, we gave a song a Wolfmother-esque title and now we’re dropping guitar all over it. Suck it up” balls.
They may not be breaking new ground – ‘Broken Ears’ sounds a bit like Blur’s ‘Coffee & TV’, for instance – but disliking music this excitable and fun would be like kicking a puppy.
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Not a bad album. Some really strong songs but his voice tends to grate a little after a while and the songs do sort of blend into one.... not a bad thing necessarily, but maybe.
I like the album. The songs can sound a wee-bit samey but they all have their own nice little pop hooks that set them apart from the regular run of things. I'm expecting this to appear on a few year's end ''best of'' lists.
listened to this again today on headphones and have to say - maybe it's the nor'wester talking - but i really dug this album lots. great hooks, smart lyrics, clever without being smug, great pop music... in the good sense of the term!
after seeing them supporting the veils last night, i am even more impressed.
and i wish to announce my intention to marry eliza the bassplayer. sigh.
Am photographing these guys next month
golf clap
That voice is their best asset, the high one. I'd go gay for that voice.
Listening to the myspace now. They are such a talent but I'd like to hear something jump out at me more amongst the pleasant drift of it.
belated/ they were great with The Veils
They do a v good version of Triffid's 'Raining Pleasure'.
Thomas Savage's project Kins are playing their first show tonight at The Birmingham at 8:30pm for the Geoffrey O'Connor residency. Jessica Says is playing too.
Pretty wild line up for a wednesday night.