Fierce Mercy by Colin Hay

Since seeing Colin appear on Scrubs, the medical sit-com, I have re-engaged with Colin`s voice and overall sound. I have enjoyed his last two albums and looked forward to this one, when I heard it was on the way. I was not disappointed. It`s a beautiful, total album. Not just a disjointed bundle of tracks, but a piece of sound where all the individual, and enjoyable, parts make for an even more enjoyable complete work.
I started to see why I like this guy so much. Not just his easily recognised voice, his sincerity, his easy way with a melody, some catchy hooks and all the usual stuff, but also he fits right in with some of my other favourites, Andy Fairweather Low, Gilbert O`Sullivan and Nick Lowe, to mention three.
It is good to see his popularity increasing. I am already looking forward to future works and may even delve in to his back catalogue.
Of course, most people know him from his days with Men At Work. I had their first two albums and

loved that sound. One world beater of a single, Down Under, and a masterpiece, Overkill, along with a whole host of other enjoyable tracks.
Usually, I like to give an overview of an album, but thought I would delve a little deeper into this one. I found some very personal stuff and was amazed at the variety of subject matter, some personal, some general. Here is my take on the individual tracks of this new addition to my cds that will stay in the car and be played regularly. His last one`s in there too.
I must also mention his songwriting partner, on most of these tracks. Michael Georgiades, who was also
with him on his previous two albums.

Starting with an uptempo number, Come Tumblin` Down, with a country-lite feel. Seems there will always be songs lamenting how “Fings Ain`t What They Used To Be”. Very sunny sound for a downbeat subject. Great starting track.

Secret Love is not from the Doris Day musical, Calamity Jane, where she claims the love is not so secret anymore, but a song about unrequited love that will go on unrequited. He has said this was influenced by Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney and The Righteous Brothers, but it puts me in mind of James Blunt`s “You`re Beautiful” . One of those songs where Colin pushes his voice to the edge. I`d like to hear someone like Raul Malo have a crack at this.

A Thousand Million Reasons seems to tell us that we can never be really alone in a world full of people, there should be someone out there for each of us and. If we find them, we will have a thousand million reasons to be thankful.Quite ethereal in places.

The Best In Me has a Gilbert O`Sullivan feel to the lyrics, I can almost hear Gilbert`s voice and distinctive piano bashing this one out.

Frozen Fields Of Snow seems an appropriate track, living in Maine and the snow is coming down. Again. The lyrics feel like a meandering train of thought, while looking out of the window across the frozen fields of snow.

The Last To Know puts me in mind of a sad-sounding Andy Fairweather Lowe vocal. They have a similar overall feel and it shows particularly on this track.

I never have a problem with drug based songs. I just don`t have a frame of reference. Never been tempted and can never understand the need. Having said that, I`m Gonna Get You Stoned feels a little weak compare with the other stuff on here. More formulaic than some of his other stuff. However, still a good listen.

The stand out track for me is I`m Walking here. You may be forgiven for thinking “where did that rap come from?” However, it fits seamlessly and adds another dimension to Colin`s soulful sound with the rap by Joe Manuel "Deploi" Lopez. A song reflecting on how people are not always free to just walk home. Inspired by the sad event in Florida when a young guy, called Trayvon Martin was shot down, just walking home.

Two Friends starts off by letting us know the singer had two friends who died last week. Where do you go from there? A sombre backing track and Colin`s natural haunted vocal make for a heartfelt lament with a hopeful chorus. “Carry on, my brothers”

She Was The Love Of Mine is a very personal song about the loss of his mother and the time they had left together. As such it feels a little intrusive, listening in, especially if, like me, you did not have that kind of relationship. A haunting melody with a lush string and brass arrangement makes for a beautiful sound.

Ordinarily that would be the end of the album and a really downbeat ending, but I got the extended edition of the cd. The first extra track is I`m Inside Outside In, a very upbeat number, that would not be out of place on the waltzers at a travelling fairground.

Blue Bay Moon is a slow, smooth, swing number with a plush arrangement, very country. A generous helping of pedal steel guitar, courtesy of Jim Hoke, Nashville`s master of all trades. Makes me want to hear a real country album from Colin. He has the voice and songwriting talent for it.

Love Don`t Mean Enough is the last of the extra tracks, the last of the whole cd and, possibly, the weakest track on the album. That only means it is pretty good alongside all the “very goods” and “excellents” on here.