COLIN HAY – GATHERING MERCURY
If you are struggling to think of what to get your mum for her birthday, Colin Hay’s Gathering Mercury may just be the perfect gift. The old Scottish – Australian rocker from Men at Work has defiantly softened up over his years. Hay’s 11th solo album showcases a full production of guitars, pianos, backing vocals and percussion. The album gets off to a gentle start as Send Somebody and Family Man blend into one another, whilst Invisible and Dear Father prove that Hay can still pen a nice tune; but sadly we are drowned in dreariness mid way though by the albums title track Gathering Mercury, followed by Half a Million Angels. Ears prick up with Where the Sky is Blue as Hay proves he has charming lyrics that engage with the banjo and tap steel guitars. A Simple Song really remains true to its title where Goodnight Romeo has been saved for last for a reason: no lyrics just a nice country song which really has made any Romeo ready for sleep and your mum wishing she was his lover.
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