Rocco DeLuca and the Burden – Mercy

March 11, 2009 by Editor
Filed under 2009 Releases, Album Reviews

Rocco DeLuca and the Burden
Mercy

Released: March 10, 2009
Record Label: Ironworks Music

Review:

The Wikipedia entry for the word “mercy” reads as follows; “Mercy is a word used to describe compassion shown by one person to another…” I think that’s the type of visual Rocco DeLuca and the Burden intended when the title of their latest album was chosen.

For Mercy, DeLuca teamed up with Daniel Lanois, an award winning and highly respected producer. Lanois is known for leaving his imprint many of the albums he worked on, and the same holds true with Mercy. The result of their effort is a remarkable collection of songs.

It’s nearly impossible to describe all the different sounds and textures of each song on this album and do them any justice. Some of it is surprising and some of it is familiar, but all of it very good. I hate comparing albums, but the production of this album is superior to I Trust You To Kill Me, and really allows the performances to stand-out.

The album opens with the slow paced ballad “Mercy” featuring the UK based band, and occasional touring partner, Keane. Also included on the album is new rendition of the track “I Trust You To Kill Me.” It’s a stripped-down version of the original with some added twists. In a way, it reminds me a lot of how Jimi Hendrix’s approached his bluesy work.

“Save Yourself” is a driving rock piece, and the heaviest track on the album. Next are the groove-laden “Any Man” and the quirky “Lilja” which oddly sounds a bit like Bela Fleck. These three songs convey a lot of the energy and spirit of the band’s live performances in the past. I really hope “Any Man” makes it into the live set list. The album closes with the beautifully composed and performed track “When You Learn to Sing.”

In a 2007 interview with Type 3 Media, he told us, “People make things that are simple, very complex. I think I spend most of my time trying to re-simplify them.” His music is a reflection of that statement. There’s no need for exaggeration or too much complexity to make up for what missing. Mercy may be simple but it still has amazing depth, and beautiful ambience and imagery.

While I Trust You To Kill Me showcased DeLuca’s raw rock-infused energy, Mercy has a sound that is very deliberate, gorgeous, and powerful in all the right places. This music stays in you head and moves you for quite a stretch of time, like all great albums should.

Track Listing: