Mercury Rev: Deserter's Songs [Deluxe Edition]

Mercury Rev
Deserter's Songs [Deluxe Edition]
Co-Operative Music [1998; re: 2011]









Fire Note Says: Reissue spotlights a stand out record from Mercury Rev that should entertain a new generation!

Album Review:
When Deserter's Songs released in 1998, Mercury Rev surprised both critics and fans as the group's fourth record was full of lush harmonies, atmospheric arrangements and fragile song structures. It is a record that not only uniquely stood out from their earlier releases but also from the music scene itself. What is interesting now as you reflect back and listen to this record again, is how newer groups of today, such as Fleet Foxes, Band Of Horses and My Morning Jacket, have adapted and morphed some of the same sounds found on Deserter's Songs into their own identity. The new deluxe edition comes with a bonus disc of 13 rarities that are mostly unreleased mixes, early rough versions and cassette tape demos of album tracks. This was a little surprising that the record's more standard b-sides are nowhere to be found here but my only assumption is that since they were included on the 2006 2 CD compilation hits/rarities record Stillness Breathes, it was more important to give fans everything else in the Mercury Rev vault. Deserter's Songs propelled Mercury Rev into the UK's mainstream and even though it did not have the same commercial success stateside it is nice to see a modern classic get another push because it is a record that surely will be enjoyed as a new generation gets its opportunity!

Key Tracks: "Opus 40", "Goddess On A Hiway (1998 Cassette Tape Player Demo)", "Hudson Line"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Flaming Lips
Grandaddy
My Morning Jacket

Mercury Rev: Snowflake Midnight [Fire Note Review 9/23/08]

Mercury Rev Website
Co-Operative Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony