After a long and frustrating run-up, Mercury Rev managed to release a consistent series of psychedelic dream pop albums with (1995), (1998) and (2001). The Secret Migration does justice to the great reputation that the group has built up. Where the emphasis with All Is Dream was still mainly on atmosphere, we now hear thirteen well-developed songs, of which the first single In A Funny Way (with
… a -like arrangement) even has hit potential. The sound of Mercury Rev is a unique mix of spacious guitars, subtle electronica and floaty orchestrations in which the somewhat thin but recognizable voice of Jonathan Donahue thrives. Despite influences from some time-bound genres such as psychedelics and symphonic pop, Mercury Rev's music has a timeless beauty. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that the record was made without pressure from outside in the home studio of the band. This gave the band the freedom to experiment and that has had an audible positive influence on the result. (MS)more
