Thirsty Merc: Shifting Gears

It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from Thirsty Merc (2010’s Mousetrap Heart was the last release) and it’s hard to believe that last year was the 10-year anniversary of their self-titled, debut release. But good news as the band are back, and while there have been some minor changes in sound, they’ve stayed relatively true to the double platinum sound they launched in with back in 2004.
‘The Good Life’ tips its hat to good ol’ Australian rock tunes (more so the kind we heard in the late ’90s, early noughties). ‘Sweet Talker’ is much the same, but there’s a sexy twang in singer Rai Thistlethwayte’s vocals. It’s a well put together track and I’d be close to saying my favourite on the album.
One thing that the band are loved for are their slow burning, heart felt rock tunes and this album isn’t lacking in them. ‘Mirror to Your Heart’ is a fine example, though it’s lacking that little something that we’ve loved in the past. Only thing I can pin it down to is the instrumentals, it’s a little bit too same, same.
The greatest thing I’ve taken away from this release (aside from Thirsty Merc back at it) is the skill in the lyrics behind each track. Each one is well thought out, avoids the cheesy rhymes and all tell a vivid story. Welcome back Thirsty Merc, the Australian rock scene hasn’t been quite the same without you.
Out Via MGM Music
Reviewed by Alexander Lightfoot