Note: Burden Brothers are a quintet fronted by ex-Toadies vocalist/guitarist Todd Lewis. This is the follow-up to their 2004 debut, Buried In Your Black Heart.
Also Note: Todd’s former band was best known for their 1995 hit “Possum Kingdom” and stellar 1994 album Rubberneck. Their largely overlooked and belated follow-up (2001’s Hell Below/Stars Above) deserved more attention that it received. I put two of the tracks on my Aggressive Rock of 2001 mix, but the album has plenty more to offer.
Sound: Whether Southern rock chugging, 90s alt-rock riffing or mellower acoustic jamming, the most important sound is Todd Lewis’ voice. His powerful pipes sturdily coast through the more reserved sections before climaxing with his signature, ferocious roar.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “Still”; “She’s Not Home”; “Everybody Is Easy (We Sink/We Swim)”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Shine”; “I Am a Cancer”
Explicit Lyrics*: “Everybody Is Easy (We Sink/We Swim)”; “Good Night From Chicago”
Recommended: Mercy lacks some of the blues metal fury and quick-hitting snap that drove the Toadies albums. Though hearing Todd Lewis’ menacing voice over some memorable, radio-ready hooks is well worth your time. Too bad the second half bails on some of the promise of the first half as the tempo slows and sometimes drags.
Grade: B- (1st half = B+; 2nd Half = C+)

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.