Deserter's Songs - Mercury Rev

Advantages: The Only Desert Island Disc You'll Ever Need.
Disadvantages: Blast, There's A White Liner In The Distance.

And right out of the blue came Mercury Rev. Nearly men, who had crafted several flawed albums, until the magical opus that is 'Deserters Songs' reared its head. Add this album to their unforgettable intimate live performances and Mercury Rev rightfully hold pride of place on the a-list of innovative artists. I've always liked 'Boces', one of Mercury Rev's previous albums, because it was it was full of brilliant half ideas. What it lacked in focus, ...
...will always hold a special place in my heart. 'Deserters Songs' is a different proposition altogether, however. Where Mercury Rev once fumbled (with some success) in the dark, they now provide the bright lights for an art form in serious need of reinvention. 'Holes' kicks off proceedings in reflective mode. Lacking a distinct beat, this song turns the blueprint for modern music on it's head. Imagine floating high above the clouds and somehow catching ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful, haunting songs mixed with some uplifting numbers
Disadvantages: Some filler.

Ever heard of a Theremin? It’s a strange device, that makes high pitched noises, for example, the theme tune to Star Trek, or the break on Richard III by Supergrass. Mercury Rev champion this musical oddity on the beautiful Deserter’s Songs. The album was recorded in 1998, on 35mm magnetic film, which makes for a surprisingly clear sound – and people think analogue is dead! Now I’m about to get al music journalist-y here, so bear with me… The first ...
...score, before giving way to singer/songwriter Jonathan’s half-falsetto voice, and moves into a steadily paced ballad with the kind of flow of consciousness lyrics that characterise the CD. And as the rest of the band come in, the theremin sneaks along behind a glorious orchestral backdrop, so before you know it, the hairs on your neck are reaching for the sky… Track 2 – Tonite It Shows has a melody reminiscent of a music box, with sparse accompaniment ... Read review

Advantages: Psychedelic and beautiful songs
Disadvantages: Dodgy Sax Solos

To be perfectly honest, I didn't have a clue who Mercury Rev were until 'Deserters' Songs' was released. Even then it took about Four months of the NME waxing lyrical about them to convince me to buy the CD. I never usually trust the NME, but as I chanced to see the inspiring 'Goddess On A Hiway' on Irish TV station TV3 one morning, I was blown away (no not literally!) by it and knew it had to be my next purchase. Today, almost 2 years later, it ...
...Rev are not the most high profile of bands. They rarely get radio air-play or their videos on MTV. Therefore you should be pretty assured that they must be pretty good and they just get on with making great music. And that's what they do. Their earlier work I have only sampled by way of Napster and it sounds a bit dodgy to me (besides Coney Island Cyclone). Their old vocalist wasn't very good and while Jonathan Donaghue may not have the strongest ... Read review

Advantages: strange beauty
Disadvantages: Theramins!

I have all the previous Mercury Rev albums which were jazzy, dissonant, chaotic and at times, unlistenable. Throughout them all however there was a core of brilliance. In 'Deserters Songs' Mercury Rev have managed to bring their distinctive sound into the mainstream. The highpoint of the album for me is the song 'Endlessly' which is based around the tune of 'Silent Night'! It also includes the classic single 'Goddess on a highway'. Overall the songs ... Read review

Advantages: Full of classics
Disadvantages: none

The word 'beauty' does not do justice the grace of the songs on 'Deserter's Songs'. From the understated charm of 'Holes' to the upbeat blues of 'Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp', this album is enchanting all the way through. The album is so good because it's so natural sounding, with a rich tapestry of colourful instruments and intricate melodies. The opening track 'Holes' is stunning, with subtle strings, gorgeous guitars, and beautiful lyrics: 'bands... ...
...The emotion swells up, until you can't help but get caught up in the album's laidback melancholy. Singer Jonathan Donahue's voice is angelic, reminiscent of both Neil Young, which the lyrical brevity of Michael Stipe. 'Deserter's Songs' is an almost perfect album, and there is no better way to recommend it. ... Read review

Advantages: The greatest yet by a pretty great band
Disadvantages: Not many people have heard of them

...The Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin The Flaming Lips had seemed to have painted themselves into the same arthouse rock corner that Sonic Youth have revelled in for the past 20 years. The plucky junkies from Ohio have spent their last eight albums shocking us with sporadic moments of a greatness, only to slip back into the same old indulgent alternative path trod by so many lesser talents. When fellow travellers Mercury Rev released 1998’s Deserters Songs, the game seemed up. The Flaming Lips looked to be condemned to the pile of nearly made its. The Soft Bulletin changes everything. While British bands can only marvel at the completed adventure that was The Beatles, Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips take the D roads and dirt tracks, taking in such wonders as The Loving Spoonfuls and Captain Beefheart, to arrive at perhaps the last... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fantastic enchanting tunes
Disadvantages: Somewhat reminiscent of Deserters songs

...I wasnt sure if I could take another Mercury Rev album into the fold of my music collection, but Im pleased I have. I decided to use the listening post at my local music store before committing approx 12 quid to this album (no I didnt buy it online!!) I instantly loved what I was hearing. Now if you dont know Mercury Rev, you may not have heard anything quite like it before. I think of their first big album (Deserter's songs) as music for ghosts. Its creepy, eerie, but strangely beautiful. The lyrics seem to be all about pixies and mystery. Im no expert music buff, and cannot classify their style any other way. Their last album (All is dream) felt a bit darker (and i didnt like it) but The Secret Migration album is back to the rev I know and love. The lyrics still talk about trees and mist, but seem to be somewhat more uplifting. Donahue... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful