Joe Rathbone is proud to announce the release of his fifth record entitled Waking Up the Sun, featuring his new group The Mercy Alliance.

Waking Up the Sun includes inspired guitar work by the late Steve Bishop, who worked with the legendary Ronnie Montrose, drumming by ex Counting Crow Steve Bowman , lyrical bass from John Kessler who started his career as a member of the original Mountain Stage band and some elegant string work from producer David Henry ( David Mead Guster, Josh Rouse, Kelly Joe Phelps, Jars of Clay �)

The 8 tracks range from broad open rockers like the title track : Waking Up the Sun to brooding ballads, introspective jaunts and a poignant farewell to guitarist Bishop entitled Wave.

Rathbone provides raw vocals and gritty guitar playing and some colorful keyboard on all the tracks while Deanna Murray delivers some thrilling harmony singing often weaving in and out of the lead vocal. Waking Up the Sun deals with the concept of how we face loss and alienation while recognizing and accepting the incredible good fortune the world can bring.

There are gorgeous string flourishes, ecstatic feedback, watery volume swells, delirious drum loops and ethereal harmonies that resonate throughout this record and let the listener in on the heart of the matter.