MercyMe Makes Sweet Sounds For a Greater Good

Mercy how MercyMe has its direct line to the heavens. From note one of "Greater", this Greenville, Texas force to be reckoned with hits exalted praise in all the right places. They don't know from staying content to remain in first gear. At the choral breaks their unity stands proud, unchained, and capable of cutting through the white noise that is life in this world. MercyMe has been lighting up the Christian circuit since 1994, about the time when grunge was already showing early signs of losing its grip on the public's imagination. 20 years later they haven't a drop of rust between them. Lead vocalist Bart Millard embodies the patience and understanding one looks to from defenders of the faith. No matter what scars this life has brought down on your heads, Bart knows you by an inner beauty day to day pain can't pull under. Michael John Scheuchzer wails away on his guitar with the bottomless energy of a puppy who figured out where his human pal kept the chow bowl. Refocusing on Bart, whether it's pain, shame, hurt, or tears he's got the shoulder you can cry on and hangs it out there liberally. As revivalist jams go "Greater" reaches every pore on your body and cleanses them so your core being has a like new radiance. Nathan Cochran has long since shown he's no slouch in the bass department. Robin Troy "Robby" Shaffer leverages his drum stylings into the baptismal font from which top to bottom renewal grows and becomes increasingly incandescent. You'll find this track on "Welcome To The New" a moniker which echoes "Greater" down the line. "Greater" summons up a double dutch audience participation enthusiasm. Hand clapping and foot stomping are perfectly within the bounds of decorum. You're encouraged to apply both whenever and wherever possible to obtain maximum hosanna frenzy. Barry Graul is an additional loaded gun on guitar. Combined he, John, and Robby elevate their game to where you sense they're not walking this orb so much levitating on top. "Greater" at its greatest offers a master class on how to run free in a complex society taking comfort from a God that's won the important wars in your life. The fivesome are both having fun and, one suspects, winning over converts one salute at a time. MercyMe's God can be relied on to prop up the fallen which, by our human natures, covers each of us who have and ever will tread Earth's surface. Their faith is utterly contagious. Your best bet is to grow lost in their uprising of purpose and gladness. "Greater" aids the greater good when listened to in that capacity. MercyMe demonstrates it knows where the mercy is found and how to mine it for the most purifying results. "Greater" typifies a palpable excitement greater than the sum of this band's parts. Greater metropolises everywhere are in for a energizing treat.