Second Fiddle
Woodshed Mercy
Self-Relesased

They call themselves “whiskey for the ears” and on their double-distilled, barrel-aged Second Fiddle, local roots-rockers Woodshed Mercy prove they can hang with the very best bands in town. The group’s heartfelt singer-songwriter fare sounds like these folks love playing together. While not a radical departure from their tasty, self-titled debut, Woodshed Mercy takes on rock n' roll, cowpunk, bluegrass, psychedelic surf and more whimsical alt-country, offering up another winner.

Born from the ashes of one-time local act Tumbleweed Jo, WM’s “rural contemporary” sound paints sharp, witty and countrified portraits of Americana. The exception is the band’s leadoff track, which has a definite Celtic shade to it. “Second Fiddle” is as refreshing as a dirty old pint of stout: thick, intense and bursting at the seams with Green Island flavor. The rest of the album is pure Austin, Texas – laced with that gutsy “beer-drinkin' music” vibe and replete with sharp, organic musicianship, Drew Clair's sometimes-manic vocals and confident sense of self.

The big strum-and-fiddle combo that guitarist Clair and violinist Jennifer O’Neal have on Second Fiddle is inspiring. Tracks like “The Grass Ain’t Never Greener,” a self-describing “Mexigrunge” and “Open Range Torch Song” all have that “giddy-up” and go – leaving the rhythm section of Matt and Dave Kasl (drums and bass, respectively) to work their metronomic magic. As for the group’s sense of humor, it remains perfectly intact and under the radar. Cuts like “’Til the Devil Don’t Live in Indiana No More” and “Johnny’s Muzzle Loader (Won’t Take an AK Clip)” take that dusty heartland sound to great new edgy and eclectic heights.

If you’re into a band’s with the aim of playing Second Fiddle to no one, Woodshed Mercy is your local act to watch. They’re well on their way.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com (:divend:)