Mercury Rev - Snowflake Midnight

New turns with old spins

Mercury Rev can always be sure to try new things. Their ethereal, magical, ambient sound transcends each record of theirs, but Snowflake Midnight is unafraid to experiment with sound like the Rev have never done before.

With only nine songs, you think you may not be getting your money's worth, but in every tune (except maybe October Sunshine which is a whatever kind of instrumental), the effort they invested is so raw that you revel in the noise. Orchestration, brilliant synth use, and beautiful mixing that isn't over-production, just smart- elevates the songs to that Wonderland Grasshopper and the rest of Mercury Rev seem to walk in, as if they live there, returning for short periods to our realm to write songs about their adventures.

Fans, be prepared for longer, drawn out songs with less (although more focused, surely) vocals. Be prepared for less guitar work.

For newbies: this record, like most Mercury Rev records, takes several listens before you get it. On the first, you hear songs you think you like, but maybe aren't sure why. Well, put it on headphones, walk around in the snow at midnight, and you'll see, this band makes magic. November 2, 2008

mercury rev

mercury rev is a progressive rock band, experimental music. i enjoy there music but is not for everyone. immagin king crimson without techinque. amazon rocks. always good prices and they stock almost everything. i don't have to leave the house, and free shipping. November 2, 2008

As good as any of their albums, in it's own way.

For fans of ethereal, blissed out, wall of sound, drug rock, early `90s IDM, MBV, and even Industrial a la Legendary Pink Dots. "Snowflake" reminds me at times of Hermann & Kliene and Ulrich Schnauss as well as Mew's "Glass Handed Kites". This album is alive and exists not to impress by breaking new ground, unless you consider taking existing dream-pop/IDM music moments and making them work together in a focused, pop short song format. Sonically speaking, it's as good as any electronic album in recent memory. Songs seem to be about not feeling alone. For hopeless romantics that really don't want to take anything too serious. I have been a Mercury Rev fan for 10 years and this is as good (and then some) as much as anything by them in the past. Compare anything off the first 3 Mercury Rev albums with this record and the new album sounds so much more focused. "Snowflake Midnight" "sounds" better than any of the previous Rev recordings. The sound mixing may be one of the best jobs I have heard anywhere. Lots of quirky noises than seem to have a life all their own. The melodies are more fractured, which lends it to more subconscious, personal interpretations. The minimal lyrics say as much and more than anything I have heard by them. I also need to say that "Secret Migration" is their most under appreciated release as well as their most focused and alive release....until now. See them live, Jonathan, the lead singer, has a beautiful stage presence than no one can touch. "Snowflake" is a "Kid A" for music fans that not consumed by pretentious, hip, self importance. "Snowflake" follows no trend and does so without attitude. Sounds like it's from another planet compared to what Radiohead and Coldplay are doing right now. I'm happy with Mercury Rev and I can't wait to see them live again!!! October 22, 2008

Innovative soundscapes on a bed of solidly approachable indie pop

Much is made of the electronics and atmospherics surrounding Mercury Rev, and with good reason: they have embraced an innovative aesthetic as tightly as any band out there. But when it comes down to the basics, electronic innovations do not assure anyone of a good album, and Snowflake Midnight is, most assuredly, a good album.

Song structures are typically loose, with the melodies weaving in and out of a river of sounds, the lyrics bubbling to the surface, heard as if in a dream--velvety one moment, then frighteningly clear the next. The music itself at turns is sublime, noisy, glittering, lovely, and memorable.

The thing that makes Snowflake Midnight such a pleasure, ultimately, is its cohesion. As I try to parse my way through the lyrics, I know there is a lot in here about love, and flowers, and...well, I'm not sure what else...but in the still seconds when the album is done, just before you press the play button again, you somehow feel that it was complete. I'd say that is a pretty good recommendation for anyone.

Now, on to what may be an even greater find--Strange Attractor. You probably know that when you buy this, you get a download link to a second full album. The album, Strange Attractor, is a "companion piece" to snowflake midnight. They are an excellent counterpoint one to another. Where Snowflake Midnight has recognizable song structure, lyrics, and uses electronics as a setting for the songs themselves, Strange Attractor is all instrumental and is a feast for electronic aural soundscapes. The songs are wonderful, mysterious explorations of looped sounds, echoes, grooves that rise and fall. The entire impression is one of immense grandeur and at times loss. Perfect music to drive on a dark night on a winding road--I know because I've done it. Magical. I think I like Strange Attractor as much as Snowflake Midnight, but for completely different reasons. October 10, 2008

Re-inventing themvelves once again, and splendidly.

This is Mercury Rev's seventh studio album, following on from 2005's "The Secret Migration", largely viewed as a mis-step following the critical and commercial success afforded them in the UK following "Deserter's Songs" and "All Is Dream".
Having taken the psychedelic lullabies of their breakthrough album, 1998's "Deserter's Songs", as far as they can go over subsequent releases, and having been somewhat eclipsed as a cosmic pop force by fellow travellers The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev have changed direction quite dramatically on their latest album.
They have re-invented themselves once already. The first time helped to take them from avant garde sound pioneers with a small group of followers, to a major US indie act.
Having found it difficult to continue growing as a band within the crowded indie market, they have decided to throw off the shackles once again with "Snowflake Midnight", using random note generator software and a bunch of synthesised effects to create a pulsating canvas of soothing digital ambience which belies the less-than-organic composition techniques.
Gone is the guitar sound, or the shoegaze tendencies.
Instead, we have swirling synths, En-esque ambience and ethereal flourishes worthy of Sigur Ros' majesty. There's not a dull moment among the nine songs that comprise this startling new beginning.
It begins with 'Snowflake In A Hot World', an affecting mini-classic to rank among the best in the band's canon.
The majestic sweep of old is largely absent, although "Dream of a Young Girl as a Flower" does build to a compelling Krautrock climax.
"Tracks such as the serialist-leaning "Runaway Raindrop" with its vast cinematic sprawl, the soaring, spiralling spectacular that is "Sense On Fire", and the blissful hymnal "Faraway From Cars" more than make amends and contribute magnificently to Mercury Rev's finest offering since 1998's "Deserter's Songs".- BBC
Give it a fair few listens and, and it will grow on you amazingly.
Deserter's Songs
All Is Dream
The Secret Migration
Back to Mine
October 3, 2008

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