""Mercyland" reinforces the notion salvation is a communal effort. A raw voice that's warm yet dusty, the noted sideman's lifted up by the McCrary Sisters' perfect girl group "oooh" and "aah" punctuations ... In jaded times, faith must feel real. For Phil Madeira, it means an altar call of friends he believes in to sing songs of faith from where they each reside; the result abides even those who might not follow, but merely love music at its source".