This is Fony's 3rd album and first with new vocalist Fraser. I'm not sure how I've not come across Fony previously as they peddle the type of difficult to categorize alt-rock that I'm quite partial to, think Radiohead, YourCodeNameIs:Milo or even Tool and you have the beginnings of a reference point to try and imagine what Fony sound like.

Beginning with "Here Come The Dark Horses", incidentally can I just apologize if I get any of the track titles wrong, the CD has a very arty sleeve with all of the song titles in different font styles and colours which renders some of them a little difficult to decipher, which has some excellent Tool-like throbbing bass and some great drumming from Pete.

I've already mentioned Radiohead as a point of reference and this is especially true with the vocals, Fraser's voice sharing some of the same plaintive qualities as Thom Yorke's, particularly on "Breathe" "The _ Leads The Dance", my personal favourite, "Feed Off Us" and "Your Emperor" for example.

The album as a whole mixes up moods and tempos well and displays a level of inventiveness and experimentation not often found these days, I would say that only YourCodeNameIs:Milo's excellent "Ignoto" comes close from recent British releases, and could well find a wider audience if the right choice of single got sufficient airplay. In saying that current single "Waco" is certainly a good taster for the album with its driving drums and guitars.

To sum up, it's fair to say that Fony won't appeal to everyone but with "Mercy After Fiction" they have produced a record that doesn't reveal everything on its first listen but rather rewards further investigation by anyone willing to give it a bit of effort, I'm certainly glad I did.

Let us know your views on 'Mercy After Fiction'

Track List

Here Come The Dark Horses
Breathe
Cloaked And Daggered
Waco
The _ Leads The Dance
Release
The Root
Feed Off Us
Still Response
A Union Divide
Your Emperor

Line Up

Fraser - Vocals/Piano/Guitar
Steve - Guitars/Piano
Phil - Guitars
Guy - Bass
Pete - Drums/Percussion