Have Mercy - Make the Best of It

by: Nicole Juliette Hetlyn

Baltimore rock/alternative band, Have Mercy, recently released their third studio album, Make the Best of It (Hopeless Records),  This is  a record of reflection and vulnerability, intertwined with heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals.  Brian Swindle’s voice is so powerful, and makes the lyrics so chilling, whether it’s rock-ballad “Baby Grand” or one of my favorite energized songs, “Drive.”  Have Mercy have found their “sound,” and it has only gotten stronger.  Leading up to the album, the lineup for Have Mercy changed (Swindle being the only original member).  With so many changes in both the band, and in his personal life, Swindle made the best of it (hence the album title) and came back stronger than ever.

I found myself listening to this album on repeat.  The lyrics are deep and honest, while the guitar riffs will have you head banging along and the killer drums pulsate through your body. One of my favorite tracks on this album is “Coexist.”  It’s a song filled with with emotion and lyrics that hit way too close to home.  It’s the kind of song you could listen to over and over on repeat on maximum volume.  Another favorite is “Reaper,” which is about murdering someone’s boyfriend.  It’s the kind of song that you want to send to an ex, and just let them simmer on the dark lyrics.   “Ghost” is another song that is way too relatable and is dauntingly beautiful. 

Be sure to pick up Make the Best of It, you won’t regret it.  You can catch Have Mercy on tour with Real Friends, Tiny Moving Parts, and Nothing, Nowhere (dates below).

Connect with Have Mercy:
Facebook . Twitter . Instagram . Website

http://www.wearehavemercy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HaveMercyMD/

Tour Dates:

5/17 - Dallas, TX @ The Door

5/18 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk

5/19 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

5/21 - Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco

5/22 - Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

5/23 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

5/24 - Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theater

5/25 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum

5/26 - Lake Park, FL @ Kelsey Theater

5/27 - Charlotte, NC @ The Undergrown

5/28 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

5/30 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage

5/31 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony

6/01 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

6/02 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

6/03 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

6/04 - Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room

6/06 - Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre

6/07 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater

6/08 - Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe at Old National Centre

6/09 - Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall