Customer Reviews

Snowflake Midnight

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!!!

I must say that I did not find Secret Migration a mistake/strange detour for Mercury Rev. That album was a bit unexpected from me after All is Dream, but it has since turned out to be one of my all-time favorites. It's dreamy, sweet, honest, and the songwriting is absolutely top-notch. Snowflake Midnight is the logical progression. It's challenging, at least after the first few listens, but it mellows and warms over time. The rhythms are at times machine-like and abrupt, but the song structures are quite unique in that they develop as layers over the usual 5 minute mark. There are some great melodies hidden here, believe it or not. It takes a while to hear them.

Make no mistake, this is no Deserter's Songs, but it is something else--another experiment with new techniques and sounds. It's subtle and trippy with an allure that only Mercury Rev are capable of.
I think this is a good direction for the band. It's great to see them trying something new. And why many, including the LA Weekly who've called the CD a clunker, aren't so convinced of the band's new direction, I feel this is a new chapter for Mercury Rev. I just hope they keep making records like the last 4.

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

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.

`Snowflake Midnight' is an aural existential trip through the senses. On Mercury Rev's 7th album, Mercury Rev ups the ante with their sound on this outing. The first great album since `Deserter's Songs'; Mercury Rev sounds refreshed and exploratory. Preferring a more textural sound, `Snowflake Midnight' is the most electronic album of the band's career. Synths bubble effectively in the background, and Jonathan Donahue's vocals sound as dreamy as ever. The songs on Snowflake Midnight are full of beautiful atmospherics and there is no filler. Concise at 41 minutes, Mercury Rev reveal these dreamscapes slowly and effectively but also know that sometimes less is more. Most songs seem overjoyed at the concept of nature as the album is filled with imagery of butterflies, raindrops, rabbits, and squirrels. I should mention that the companion piece to this album, `Strange Attractor' will be available as a download on the day of release for free. I can't wait.

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.

This is very differnt in ways and not so in others.

It sounds like a cross between "All Is Dream", "Deserter's Songs" and a trace LP.

The noise is back, after leaving upon "See You On The Other Side" to a degree, which is welcomed. The first three tracks are very good but then the rest just kind of blends together.

It's not their best as I'm afraid that another "Yerself Is Steam" or even "Boces" is just impossible at this point, but it is better than the last offering. These guys are always expanding and rarely make the same sounds twice on any LP which goes to show just how creative they really are.

Here Mercuy Rev completes the transition from their excellent early psych-rock experimental guitar freak-outs to mundane electronica featuring programmed beats and airy synths. They really reaped the rewards of this transition in 'Deserter's Songs', but it's been a steady decline ever since. Boys, I think it's time to find a new monicker and stop denigrating the past.