Thirsty Merc are one of those bands that have been really popular, consistently drawing full houses and more than respectable record sales. But there’s more…
Thirsty Merc should be HUGE! Their songs, arrangements and performances are often at the height of being extraordinary and many deserve to be up there with the certified classics of Australian music history.
With a body of work that includes gems such as ’20 Good Reasons’, ‘Someday Someday’, the brilliant ‘In The Summertime’ and the should-be classic ‘The Hard Way’, Thirsty Merc are a notch up from most bands and, in the humble opinion of this writer, deserve a revered place among the legends and stars.
And so it is that, in 2015, Thirsty Merc release their 4th album Shifting Gears, a crowdfunded effort that saw the band reach it’s goal within 48 hours.
Shifting Gears, as a title, is a seeming reference to the band changing, evolving into a different musical unit. Perhaps that is due to them now being a 3 piece (although a drummer will be on tour with them) or perhaps it is something more. In a way, I’m glad to say that there is little evidence of massive change on this album – there are still the great songs, delicious performances and a solid dose of the philosophical and thought-provoking.
The lead single ‘The Good Life’ is one such philosophy, teaching us that life is how we view it – if we think it’s good, then it is. It is up to us to think it. Musically, the song is infectious, kicking off with a guitar riff that makes you want to move. But wait, when the na-na-na refrain in the chorus hits you, it’s impossible not to react. You may well find yourself singing this days later.
One of the fine things about the Merc is their uncanny ability to combine just the right flavours of rock and pop. Songs like the album’s opener ‘Understanding Love’ and ‘I Fall In Love’ possess wonderful pop choruses, the latter beginning with what could easily be a metal riff in another context but, here, the band somehow blend styles seamlessly.
‘The Grind’ is another example, with a jaunty melody and a big chorus. It even has a clap and sing-along section. If Thirsty Merc can be corny, this is it. But it’s still good.
The rock(ier) songs ‘Sweet Talker’ (a sweet riff) and ‘That’s Right Shoogie’ (almost a show tune) again have pop-edged choruses but the rock is ever-present. This blending is what Thirsty Merc do well – exceptionally well. These guys know that music is about good times, and sometimes about thinking. And they evoke both.
And the ballads. Whoa the ballads. ‘Timeless Beauty’ could well become a timeless classic with it’s deceptively captivating melody. Sure it’s a relatively simple song – there aren’t any musical acrobatics or genre-defining moments but, for someone who likes, dare I say it, easy-listening pop that’s well structured and honestly performed, this will satisfy.
Like many ballads, the subject matter is love and one’s place within it. ‘Mirror To Your Heart’ is a mix of advice and reflection. One has a feeling that Merc singer/songwriter Rai Thistlethwayte has much experience in the area of love, romance, disappointment and longing. And he brings it to life nicely here. The semi-distorted guitar solo in ‘Mirror’ almost aches.
‘Every Now And Then’, recorded live right here in Newcastle at piano makers Stuart & Son’s showroom, sees Rai alone on the piano and the tune would not be out of place on an early Elton John album. ‘Touch And Go’ starts out as a ballad before launching into, once again, a catchy pop chorus that has the potential to become an earworm.
Nearly all the songs on Shifting Gears have that potential. It’s a Thirsty Merc trademark: accessible subject matter expressed in the form of strong melody over a perfect pop/rock blend that is both inviting and infectious. While some will dismiss it as bland MOR, there are more who will celebrate the survival of music that consists of simply great songs. And, with Shifting Gears, Thirsty Merc don’t disappoint.
Shifting Gears is available now.
Thirsty Merc play Belmont 16s on Saturday November 7. Tickets on sale now.
