Opus 40 by Mercury Rev features on Across the Great Divide - the compilation of music inspired by The Band which featured on Saturday. Turns out Levon Holm played drums on this one.
This had me looking out 1998's Deserter's Songs and giving it a listen for the first time in years.One I don't really think that has stood the tests of time.
A bit twee in places for me with excessive use of the mellotron. Also the fact that main man Jonathan Donahue is listed in the sleevenotes only as Jonathan and someone else is listed as Grasshooper annoys me far more than it should.
Like a similar act The Flaming Lips their star shone brightly for a short period before rapidly fading.
I have had the 2001 follow up All is Dream in my hand on at least two occasions in charity shops but never managed to cross that finishing line.
Mercury Rev - Opus 40
Mercury Rev - Goddess on a Hiway
Ooh, controversial. If pushed, I would possibly name 'All Is Dream' as my fave Mercury Rev record, but I still adore 'Deserters Songs'. They have a new one about to drop, so really looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteDeserter's Songs is magnificent. Love it. All Is Dream is also very fine although much darker if I remember right.
ReplyDeleteI'm only slightly familiar with Mercury Rev. Would you say Opus 40 is a good representation of the band's sound? That one reminds me of Flaming Lips or maybe something by Tim DeLaughter. Really like what I'm hearing.
ReplyDeleteIt's the only one I've heard Brian -the Robster or SA may be better judges.The Tim deLaughter comparison is quite apt. I once saw the Polyphonic Spree play in someone's garden.A story for another day!
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