It's not surprising that the jacket of "Mercyland" contains about 40 images of the New Orleans rockers Cowboy Mouth in concert, because live is where they shine. Drummer and band leader Fred LeBlanc is arresting onstage, sweating and spitting, and leaving a semicircle of woodchips -- evidence of what happens to drumsticks at high power. Alas, it's also not surprising -- given previous releases -- that what's inside is just regular rock 'n' roll. The tunes could have been created by any band or even by these boys four years ago; their sound hasn't gone anywhere. The lyrics, full of separation anxiety, offer somewhat more. "Shotgun In My Soul" tells of lovers wishing they were together. "Little Blue One" is about haunted divorce, a topic guitarist-singer-songwriter Paul Sanchez has visited before. "Why Ya Wanna Do Me?" questions a pal's friendship. Fred and friends (but especially Fred) clearly have high opinions of themselves, but their studio selves need work if they're going to inspire that admiration in others.