Customer Reviews

From the Vapor of Gasoline

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been following the Mercury Program for some time now, and I must say this is one of the best albums waxed by the group. The Vapor of Gasoline contains a delicate balance of power and ambience. The talent of the band is very obvious through the music. Infact, it hits you with a hammer. No matter what genre of music you prefer, anyone can appreciate the vibraphone and guitar that help define the particular sound on the album.

Everyone agrees that this band is a particular sound that originated from Gainesville Florida. (Some say a mix of emo- Sunny Day Real Estate, crossed with the Jam capabilities of Phish). I've witnessed live Mercury Program shows and they never have ceased to amaze me with their intensity and talent. Each member brings a particular and important part to the album. The vocalist/guitarist has a mathmatical approach to composing the sounds. He is surrounded by one of the best drummers you haven't heard of, with an organist and bassist (who happen to be brothers) who secure the beautiful rock melodies that leave all listeners in awe.

Songs built on a foundation of instrumental math can't go wrong.

3 1/2

Instrumentation was starting to fall into place, though MP still had an album or so to go until the consistently great percussion would truly align with all that vibraphone goodness. While a few songs stumble in the ongoing process of rectifying that equation, FTVOG remains almost completely listenable and often compelling.

I had been looking for a cd that was instrumental with a little singing that i could listen to then go to sleep to and the mercury program was what i was looking for. I was introduced to the cd by my guitar teacher he told that this was the wierdest thing he had heard. So i had to listen to it and it is the cd of 2000. One thing i like about how the music seems to flow into one big song and the vocals aren't screamed they are melodic and go with it very well. If you like easy listening music and movie background music i suggest the purchase of the this cd.

A friend introduced me to TMP's debut s/t album on boxcar records. I was instantly blown away..I remember driving home late at night (he lived 6 hours away) and listening to the s/t cd (which he had burned for me)..and rocking out. From the Vapor of Gasoline definitely picks up where the last one left off. Although they have left a lot of the minimalism behind. Added now is a full time vibes player..which is absolutley incredible to listen to. For those unfamiliar with the mercury program they are essentially a combination of darker sounds ala "June of 44" with some of the mathiness of "Tortoise" with the spoken vocals of "Slint". In my opinion this band is the exact opposite of "Aloha" (who also uses a vibes player) but is more of a jazz pop band (they are also excellent). However the Mercury Program come at you with dissonant jazz rocking guitars, heavy fat bass lines and complex drums. Anyway..if you like anything post-rock...this must surely be your next purchase.

You're dumb if you pass up on listening to these guys. My very most favorite music out there today.

The drummer has extreme talent, along with the rest of the band.

Please for the love of your god continue to make benchmark music such as this.

I friend turned me on to the first (self-titled) Mercury Program CD (available on Box Card Records). The subtle beauty of that album changed something inside me, much in the way June of 44 and Shipping News had touched me. So it was with great anticipation that I awaited this next release.

And a beauty it is. The bare-bones minimalism of the music is hinted at in the simplicity of the artwork. More xylophone on this release serve to add to the sleepy-time feel of the entire album. Yet there are songs which move. I love how the vocals are muted and how they blend in with the instrumentation--the lyrics, while interesting, are secondary to the music, and are a mere accompaniment to the overall presentation.

There are times when the guitarwork is remiscent of (dare I say?) early Yes, and there are passages where June of 44 and similar bands have been influential, but then one's focus is pulled from that as they launch into something unexpected, delivered with a gracious force.

This is indeed the best kept secret of the indie music world, as a previous reviewer so aptly wrote. I'd recommend this to anyone, even if they aren't necessarily a fan of indie music per se...

Wow this album is unbelievable! If you like bands like Don Cab, Hoover, older June of 44 or Lungfish this is a must. This band combines the artiness of many Chicago indie rockers (i.e. Tortoise) with the math rock sensibility of the aforementioned bands.

These guys are going to be huge I think.

This is a wonderful album, fusion done right for those of us who cut our teeth on rodan, not the weather report. Only gets four stars because their s/t release is better, as is the "lights out in georgia" 7" i might add. Those that like this may reference Drill for Absentee, a defunct PA band that put out two albums and one 7" on mindwalk. A similiar aesthetic, though the Hoover influence is more obvious in DFA. Thanks.

The Mercury Program in some moments recall Tortoise so much that you could mix them together.There is one song actually on Data Learn The Language that is like Tortoise cover from TNT.But on this album,they rock more than Tortoise ever did,beside that In The Fishtank split with The Ex.This is driven music,with bass guitars drums and rich instrument like vibraphone(or xylophone).Full on melodical side they release the power in moments but never too hard on the strike,so it could be classified as post rock.I myself are not into post rock music like Mogwai,but this band has changes that are necessery to keep attention focused.Singing is not so important here,you can notice,because they are mostly instrumental band,and with The Mercury Program,it should stay that way,unless Sam Prekop joins in and turn them into pop band.