Mooney Suzuki’s long awaited fourth album, "Have Mercy," will finally be in stores on June 19th. "Have Mercy" sounds different, and it should: When Sammy James, Jr. was writing the album, there was no guarantee there would even be a Mooney Suzuki when he finished: The band had parted ways with Columbia, the revolving rhythm section was again in disarray, and guitarist Graham Tyler had bowed out of the group. Unsure of the band's future, James began writing songs that, he hoped could stand on their own, unaided by the usual Mooney Suzuki bombast. Instead of vocals being added last and relying on electric **** or rhythm section flash to carry the song, the lyric and the melody took prominence. "It was a bit intimidating not to have the other stuff to fall back on," says James. "All I had to work with was my voice and the acoustic guitar." Out came the first batch of songs that weren't meant as mere accompaniment for the whole, sweat- drenched, jumping-off-the-drum-riser routine with which the band has become synonymous. These songs, somewhat unintentionally, had more to do with James himself. "I just wanted the songs to be what they were, not, say, Mooney Suzuki songs." The Mooney Suzuki's new album was set for release in February, but V2's demise left the album's future a mystery. When V2 Records' parent company, Sheridan Square, announced the label's restructuring, the Mooney Suzuki found themselves in limbo again. While the future of "Have Mercy" remained unclear the band did what it does best, hit the road and performed the live shows that they are known for with sold out solo dates, gigs with Albert Hammond, Jr. and some truly memorable sets at this year’s SXSW. "Have Mercy" is ready to hit stores in June 19th on Elixia. Through the purgatory the band endured leading up to "Have Mercy", one lesson James says he's learned is summed up by the album's opener "99%," in a lyric cribbed from Winston Churchill: "If you've been going though hell, keep going." James says, "It ain’t easy for a rock ’n' roll band to try and get by these days. The music biz is kind of like the Wild West right now, everyone’s biting the dust all around you. I am so thankful to find a label so excited to put out this record." Press love for The Mooney Suzuki: "The rebirth of garage." - Alternative Press "Have Mercy" is a confident and worthwhile step in a new direction" - Amplifier Magazine "What made the Mooney's more than just another band of mop-topped misanthropes was front man Sammy James Jr.'s allegiances to the participatory tenets of Motown and the paisely-patterened pop tones of the Byrds and Love. James tempers his tough talk with a soft touch; even when the Mooney's are at their most pedal-stompin' petulant, his charismatically soulful pipes cut through the noise with impressive clarity." - Pitchfork "Behind the garage rock veneer, there seems to be a mighty fine power-pop band lurking within the Mooney Suzuki. This is especially apparent on songs like "99%" and "First Comes Love", which is more indebted to Elvis Costello than any late-60's band in Detroit." - Washington Post "Have Mercy offers the effusive 60's-style jangle of "Ashes" and "First Comes Love," the Motown inspired ballad "Rock 'N' Roller Girl" and "99%", the Stonsey R&B rave-up that kicks off the record." - Goldmine "Have Mercy finds the energetic band going back to basics." - The Mercury