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Review of Back Home by Paul Shugue May 2017 “Out of the Box” 89.5 FM WHRO/WHRV.

“Mercy Creek is a duo whose music sounds much bigger than you’d expect from just two people. They are based in the Northern Neck of Virginia and have been recording since 1999. “Back home” is their seventh studio album and begs the question: why doesn’t the whole world know about them yet?

Vocalist and guitarist, Cheryl Nystrom and drummer Jim Ball sealed their partnership by getting married while working on this album and perhaps because of taking that plunge, the songs are more confident, more varied and more explosive than any of their other albums.

They have reunited with their long-time producer Paul Mahern who has worked with Over the Rhine among others. Ball’s jazz-inspired percussion is perfectly matched to Nystrom’s earthy vocals and there’s some great electric guitar fills from David England.

Mercy Creek’s songs have an instantly familiar quality to them owing to great melody, vocal arrangements and timelessness. In an effort to describe themselves over the years they’ve used terms like “aggressive folk rock” and “Edgy Earth Music” but the reality is all comparisons fail to capture their uniqueness.”

Listen to Paul’s review at http://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443989/out-of-the-box-c-d-of-the-week-with-paul-shugrue

“Uplifting and smart Americana from one of Virginia’s best bands! Paul Shugrue "Out of the Box" WHRV-FM

“Mercy Creek represent a new sound in folk music that instantly grabs your ear and makes you want more. Their sound is infectious.. with Jim’s distinct drumming and Cheryl’s powerful accompanying lyrics. They were instant favorites of my listeners. Their latest release “Another Place to Start” is one of my top picks for 2009. Barry Graham Host “ Acoustic Highway” WHRV-FM

"If there is such a thing as perfect folk-rock music, then Mercy Creek comes as close as possible to creating it. Their songs are authentically rootsy without losing that ever-elusive mainstream appeal." Taste Of Triple A

"Nystrom is an undeniable star, with a strong expressive voice that swoops around pop choruses and haunts the verses in between, like a burnished and coppery Beth Orton." Washington Examiner

"One of the leaders of an aggressive folk rock movement and have been coined 'The White Stripes of Americana'. Their sound blends modern folk with pop, rock, blues and even bluegrass. Nystrom's vocals are raw, uninhibited, intense and sensual." Singer and Musician Magazine

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