Album Review: Strange Waters Small Mercies by Christopher Marshall
Alright, let’s dive into Strange Waters Small Mercies, the 1998 rock gem from Aussie artist Christopher Marshall. Released under Hi-Gloss Records (shoutout to NZ for sharing the love), this album feels like a time capsule of late '90s vibes—gritty guitars, heartfelt lyrics, and just enough edge to keep you hooked. It’s not perfect, but it’s got that raw charm that makes you wanna hit repeat.
Let me start with “Your Wildest Dreams,” which kicks things off in style. I mean, Barry Palmer on electric guitar? Yeah, buddy. The riff grabs you right away—it's punchy without being overdone, and Chris Marshall’s vocals have this raspy sincerity that pulls you in. Honestly, it’s one of those tracks where you find yourself humming along even if you don’t remember all the words yet. And hey, props to Stephen Cummings on backing vocals; his harmonies add this cool layer that gives the song depth. You can tell these guys weren’t just phoning it in—they cared about every note.
Then there’s “Small Mercies,” the title track, and wow, does it pack an emotional punch. This one sticks with me because of its slow build. At first, it almost sneaks up on you with Dan Knight’s moody keys setting the tone, then BOOM—the whole thing explodes into this cathartic mix of drums (thanks Greg Bainbridge or John Watson—we’re not sure who exactly, but they crushed it) and basslines courtesy of Mark Ferrie or Stu Thomas. Lyrically, it’s kinda haunting too. Lines about searching for hope when life feels overwhelming really hit home. Not gonna lie, I’ve had moments where this song made me stare out the window thinking deep thoughts while pretending to be in a movie montage.
The rest of the album has its highs and lows, but what keeps it grounded is how collaborative it feels. Like, yeah, Chris Marshall is front and center, but you can hear everyone bringing their A-game. Stephen Cummings isn’t just chilling in the background—he co-wrote some killer tunes like “Skipping Girl” and “Even Angels.” Plus, Barry Palmer pulling double duty as producer AND writer deserves major respect. Dude clearly knows his way around crafting solid rock songs.
One random detail that stood out? Denise Nestor’s photography. The cover art matches the vibe perfectly—dark, mysterious, and slightly rough around the edges. Oh, and Kalju Tonuma’s engineering work deserves a nod. Everything sounds crisp without losing that live-off-the-floor energy.
So yeah, Strange Waters Small Mercies might fly under the radar compared to bigger names, but it’s worth checking out if you’re into thoughtful rock with plenty of soul. Weirdly enough, listening to it reminds me of rainy afternoons spent driving through empty streets—not sad, just reflective. Maybe that’s why it still lingers in my mind years later.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand we hand over our best rock albums as proof of humanity’s creativity, I’d toss this one in the pile. Just saying.
