Secret Migration [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese pressing of long awaited 2005 album, includes one bonus track, 'Mirror for a Bell'. The 14-track album was produced by the band and long-time collaborator Dave Fridman who also worked on the bands previous 2 albums 'All Is Dream' and 'Deserter's Songs'. 'The Secret Migration' sees Mercury Rev in a somewhat lighter mood, with songs like the anthemic 'Secret for a Song' sounding immediate and forceful. If Deserter's Songs was autumn, 'All Is Dream' winter, then 'The Secret Migration' feels like spring: fresh-cheeked and infused with hopeful spirits. V2.

Tracks:

Secret For A Song
Across Yer Ocean
Diamonds
Black Forest (Lorelei)
Vermillion
In The Wilderness
In A Funny Way
My Love
Moving On
The Climbing Rose
Arise
First-Time Mothers Joy (Flying)
Down Poured The Heavens

Amazon.com

Mercury Rev's sixth album Secret Migration is a high flying psychedelic concept record filled with paeans to Mother Nature. Singer Jonathan Donahue has never been so in touch with his inner hobbit as he is here. Dave Fridmann remains the band's producer, which is excellent as he's the most interesting part of the band, and a great deal of the reason that the band's best album, `98's Deserter's Songs, is as good as it is. M. Rev has never been a wildly original band--they've been aesthetically joined-at-the-hip with the Flaming Lips for much of their career, and "Diamonds" almost sounds like a parody of Wayne Coyne and crew. But there's something beguiling about the band, a childlike simplicity that runs through their modern-day prog anthems. On "My Love," Donahue sings "Ain't it amazing when the seasons begin to change/Someone behind the scenes just seems pull some strings," and as daft as that sounds, well, he's right! As ecological stoner anthems go, these are righteous. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

softest known landing, flailing and felled: secret review #5.......2005-12-17

An album certainly. A digital introduction of tones and lines. Perhaps the numbers crawl and build pottery office buildings, seventy stories of clay and middle management. Without the backboards, this album finds itself a chucker, a clear morninged
sky, a test match reminding us of overnight, and the threats that music can make.

for more secret reviews: secrettechnology (plus com).

Flowers of romance ( non-sarcastic version. ).......2005-11-04

The Chartres cathedral, if it could write and record a pop album, would come up with something like this. It may be the only example of convincing optimism in recorded history, but that's only because Mercury Rev take such care to paint leering gargoyles in every corner, scalding the hero's soul with their taunts as he righteously slashes his way through an incomprehensible life. Deep traces of morbidity and the ashy cobwebs of a past trauma, though never explicit as on All is Dream, still make themselves felt... in a funny way, defanged but even more troubling, as if, in the other world, sadness resonates more faintly and seductively than it did when it was real, calling us back to this barren rock like a siren's song. The height of morbid grandeur and beauty, this album is like a windswept embrace with Jacqueline Bisset circa 1974 as a nuclear bomb falls on your head.

A Pillow of Winds.......2005-08-15

A recent MOJO magazine review by noted critic David Fricke hailed Mercury Rev as the "American Pink Floyd".
Anyone looking to delve into this band might be slightly disappointed if that's what they are expecting to hear as those kind of comparisons are hard to live up to.
Having said that musically Mercury Rev does have a connection with early Floyd, Syd Barret through Meddle era.
However this band stands on their own and this album is quite good, better than even their last "All is Dream".
Rocking and atmospheric it is well worth your time and money.

What happened to their vocalist???.......2005-07-28

The Rev's previous album "All is Dream" always comes to mind when I'm asked what my favorite music is. This 1991 album, which still gets a lot of airplay in my car, featured vocalist Mary Gavazzi Fridmann on most of the tracks. Although she's listed as an "additional musician" on "Secret Migration", I don't hear her at all.

Too bad - REALLY too bad. What a disappointment. The Rev's musical style really lends itself to a female voice, and Ms. Fridmann handled the job with excellence, her delivery and her plaintive voice wonderfully complimenting the style of the music.

On the new album all the vocals are by a male vocalist, presumably one of the band's male musicians. He doesn't come close to matching Fridmann's ability to fill-out the emotional impact of the Rev's music. I agree with some of the previous reviews on why this album does not live up to "Dream". The song writing is not the same quality. But what I miss most is the great singing.

If you're considering your first Mercury Rev purchase, get All is Dream. You'll like it better.

Unendurable.......2005-07-17

I had the misfortune of seeing these pretentious avant pop pranksters perform live at the Sydney Opera House recently (supporting the peerless Finn Brothers no less, who have a lot of explaining to do - or their promoter does). The set went for an unforgivable sixty minutes and I'd warrant it was the longest hour of my life. Most of the auditorium wisely fled for the bar after three tracks of this prancing drivel, but I stuck around thinking it might improve. It didn't, and listening to this album proves why: Mercury Rev, in 2005 at least, are an abomination. I'm told their earlier work is more "edgy". I'm happy to take that as given rather than risk exploring it. This album, however, is about as edgy as Oprah on one of her "Remembering Your Spirit" jags. It's full of painfully earnest lyrics about the nexus between nature, love and the meaning of the universe. It sounds like frontman Jonathan Donahue has swallowed "The Tao of Physics", Lovelock's "Gaia" and "The History of Western Philosophy" and is now regurgitating uncontrollably. Rather than heeding the advice of the sages they mercilessly plunder and letting the inexpressible remain unexpressed, Mercury Rev seem intent to die trying. The songs are overloaded with nature imagery which might work if it wasn't so literal, so generic, so cliched. It would be syrupy and cringe-worthy enough on paper, but becomes utterly unbearable when given Donahue's unique vocal treatment which sounds like a yearning chipmunk cross-bred with Michael Stipe. Is this meant to be innocent and cute? Is it meant to be childlike and profound, out of the mouths of babes, etc? Or is it supposed to be emotional nakedness, some kind of attempt at vulnerability? If so, it fails. The band would do well to read John Berger on the difference between nakedness and The Nude: one's vulnerable, honest and open; the other's a self-conscious pose. I'm fairly sure which one Mercury Rev have in mind when they expose themselves, but you'll be cringing either way.

Average customer rating:

amazon tracklisting inaccurate for bonus disc

The Secret Migration (Special Edition)
Mercury Rev
Manufacturer: V2 Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Yerself Is Steam
Boces

ASIN: B0008EO2SY
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Tracks:

Secret For A Song
Across Yer Ocean
Diamonds
Black Forest (Lorelei)
Vermillion
In The Wilderness
In A Funny Way
My Love
Moving On
The Climbing Rose
Arise
First-Time Mothers Joy (Flying)
Down Poured The Heavens

Tracks:

The Black Swan
My Love- Live from KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic"
Afraid
Isolation- Live from KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic"
Black Forest (Lorelei)- Live from KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic"
Observatory Crest
Streets of Laredo
Diamonds- Recorded at WFUV
Mirror For A Bell

Customer Reviews:

amazon tracklisting inaccurate for bonus disc.......2005-08-17

As of the time this review was submitted, the tracklisting for the bonus disc was incorrect. It has 8 tracks as confirmed by the sticker, not 9 as stated here. The John Lennon song "Isolation" is not included. I will mention though, that a different live recording of it is available on a hard-to-find Japanese EP "Goddess on a Hiway". No regrets in springing for the special limited edition, though. The exclusive tracks are quality songs on par with the regular album, and the live KCRW versions demonstrate the true quality of their songs stripped of overdubs, bells and effects. Fortunately, "live" in this case doesn't mean audience, there is none. There are many good reviews of the disc one contents, and I will simply say that this is great music to work to, very melodic and beautiful, and devoid of any of the "challenging" listening on some of their previous work (which I'm not bashing). This is going to be in heavy rotation for a while.

Average customer rating:

Secret and safe
Mercury Rev is king
happy happy joy joy
Too poor to be as good as "Deserter's Songs"
Underwhelmed...

The Secret Migration
Mercury Rev
Manufacturer: V2 Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0006G7ZQ0
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Secret for a Song
Across Yer Ocean
Diamonds
Black Forest (Lorelei)
Vermillion
In the Wilderness
In a Funny Way
My Love
Moving On
Climbing Rose
Arise
First-Time Mother's Joy (Flying)
Down Poured the Heavens

Album Description

Produced by longtime collaborator Dave Fridmann, 'The Secret Migration' is sure to delight fans of Mercury Rev's wide screen, psychedelia-tinged rock, offering more of a hopeful outlook than some of the darker material on 2001's 'All Is Dream.' Highlights include the propulsive, shimmering 'Vermillion' & the exhilarating 'Arise,' dashed with Fridmann's flair for sonic detail. No domestic release is scheduled until April 2005. V2.

Album Details

Six Seems to Be the Luckiest Number for Mercury Rev's 2005 Album, the Sixth Opus in their Catalog. It Has Been Met with Near Unanimous Critical Acclaim and is Hailed as One of the Best Records of the Fledgling New Year. For Example, the Evening Echo (Ireland) Declared in Its Five Star Review, "Excellent May Be a Loaded Word to Use...but Excellent it Is, from Start to Finish." And Furthermore, "Mercury Rev Return Us to a Realm of Spirit We've all but Lost Touch With... A Brilliant, Uncompromising Exploration of Devotion and the Wonder of Surrender. Resistance, in the End, is Futile" --uncut

Customer Reviews:

Secret and safe.......2005-05-04

It takes awhile to figure out just what is wrong with "Secret Migration," the latest by British rock band Mercury Rev. But eventually it becomes obvious what the problem is: It's not grounded enough, and too sleepy and lush. It has some of the bones of their best work, but it ends up being a bit cloying.

The past releases by Mercury Rev have been on par with stuff like the Flaming Lips and Sparklehorse -- brilliant, otherworldly and complex. Here, the fairy-tale motif takes over, rather than orchestral pop and psychedelic rock. Ye Olde Renaissance Rock'n'Rolle, maybe, with mentions of "morning stars," white horses, sinister forests, silver oceans and fairy rides. Pretty, but not very substantial.

Musically, the band is still in solid form -- lots of epic soundscapes and rich instrumentation. Sure, they have wandered all over the musical palette, but they never fail to sound lush and interesting. The one flaw is that they lost that folksy edge -- especially the bowed saws -- that characterized their sound in "Deserter's Songs."

It starts off with a series of very grand, rich songs, which are sent up in the air by piano and organ, and only rooted by some very solid basslines. But with "Vermillion," the soft piano revs up into a faster tempo that carries over until the final round of songs, which are airy but surprisingly powerful. Synths and soft bass are what carry the songs into that pretty, if less powerful, sound.

The songwriting is the weakest point. Jonathan Donahue's unmelodious vocals are a bit on the annoying side, but the lyrics are undoubtedly what weaken "Secret Migration." A few like "In The Wilderness" have the spare, grounded sound, but often the lyrics are dressed up in Ye Olde Rock'n'Rolle descriptions: "See how the rain, captured by the leaves,/Shimmers and falls, and lives on in diamond balls,/Like a necklace hung, over limb and branch,/For me to show to you, like gifts." It just barely misses being exquisite, and ends up a bit contrived.

Mercury Rev has a rare miss in "Secret Migration," which is just a little too fairy-tale-ish for its own good. Were they to ride dragonflies less often, they would sound pretty close to perfect.

Mercury Rev is king.......2005-04-03

Back in 2001, Mercury Rev seemed poised for world domination. They had had been around for ten turbulent years and had come out with one of the finest albums of 1998, which was Deserter's Songs. This was an amazing album of power and loss. Mercury Rev made secret psychedelic vistas palpable for the listener. It was like listening to Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" and having felt like you have experienced drugs. Mercury Rev had become one of the biggest American bands in Europe. All the praise by the British press didn't translate necessarily into American success, like their buddies The Flaming Lips enjoyed, and Mercury Rev were seen more like Sparklehorse, a band that was misunderstood on its own soil, while well respected everywhere else. I was reading recently one review that referred to Mercury Rev as a British band. That shows how neglected they are. What happened in 2001 is Mercury Rev released their anticipated All Is Dream on 9/11. Both Mercury Rev and Sparklehorse released great albums to an American public who thought they were just plain weird. The Flaming Lips later released the fantastical Yoshimi, which was more escapist, and more popular. Now there are younger American bands like Secret Machines and Mars Volta who are also playing space rock, with a touch of Pink Floyd, that are conducive to the far out path that Mercury Rev have trudged alone in years past. The Secret Migration is an album that contains all the elements of past Rev greatness. They create soaring landscapes, helium vocals, piano crescendos, and dive-bomb guitars. Apparently this started out as a quieter acoustic album. It was made to be intimate and raw. They recorded it in their new studios in upstate New York. I guess when Dave Fridmann joined the fray; thoughts of string sections did appear. The first song "Secret For A Song" sounds as big and expansive as anything they have done. Mercury Rev conveys emotion and feelings through stories and references to nature. "Across Yer Ocean" is the band at their most John Lennon-like. The scuttle beat of "Diamonds" recalls their participation with techno music. Jonathan Donahue did sing a song with The Chemical Brothers before. The killer bass line in "Black Forrest (Lorelei)" floats around the chords. "Vermillion" is the sound of this band at its most positive. As you listen to this record, you notice how the piano has been used in a rock song in a very exciting way in many of the songs. "Moving On" is one of the best vocals they have done. This record is very satisfying. It's not shockingly new ground for them, but it does sound like a greatest hits record of their last three records. Mercury Rev is a band to look out for.

happy happy joy joy.......2005-03-28

this is their most happy album to date. IF you're looking for their dark sound then perhaps you'll be disappointed. If you're lookin for their signature sound then you won't be disappointed as it is still intact.

I'd say this is for their hardcore fans and not for the casual ones.

Like in all their albums, I believe they have their good songs and some O.K. songs. This is just one more in their brilliant and interesting career.

Too poor to be as good as "Deserter's Songs".......2005-02-25

This was the album that some critics aclaimed as a masterpiece.
I was one of the first people to purchase it the first day it was out (what a fool..).
OK, that doesn't mean that it isn't good at all but it's full of cliches and it sounds so unfinished.
There are many good tracks in here but the majority of the songs is really poor.
Better luck next time you guys.

Underwhelmed..........2005-02-15

I couldn't wait for this release..counting down the days. As a massive fan of the Rev (and similar bands eg Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, Sparklehorse etc..)and their past releases especially Yerself is Steam, Deserter's Songs and All is Dream (in order of priority)a new release is a reason to rejoice. On first listen I was quite underwhelmed however I know these guys well and know that with persistence you will inevitabley fully realise the power, emotion and beauty of their magical music creations. Unfortunately this still has not done it for me. Secret Migration has it's moments eg the first 2 tracks Secret for a Song and Diamonds, In A Funny way and closing track Flying however a few good tracks does not make a classic album. For die hard fans only....and I know there are many.

Average customer rating:

Secret and safe
Mercury Rev is king
happy happy joy joy
Too poor to be as good as "Deserter's Songs"
Underwhelmed...

The Secret Migration
Mercury Rev
Manufacturer: V2
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00066FNQE
Release Date: 2005-01-31

Tracks:

Secret for a Song
Across Yer Ocean
Diamonds
Black Forest (Lorelei)
Vermillion
In the Wilderness
In a Funny Way
My Love
Moving On
Climbing Rose
Arise
First-Time Mother's Joy (Flying)
Down Poured the Heavens

Album Description

Limited edition pressing of 2005 album features deluxe book style packaging. V2. * No US release scheduled until May!

Album Details

Deluxe Limited Edition Book Sleeve Limited to 10,000 Pcs Worldwide. Six Seems to Be the Luckiest Number for Mercury Rev's 2005 Album, the Sixth Opus in their Catalog. It Has Been Met with Near Unanimous Critical Acclaim and is Hailed as One of the Best Records of the Fledgling New Year. For Example, the Evening Echo (Ireland) Declared in Its Five Star Review, "Excellent May Be a Loaded Word to Use...but Excellent it Is, from Start to Finish." And Furthermore, "Mercury Rev Return Us to a Realm of Spirit We've all but Lost Touch With... A Brilliant, Uncompromising Exploration of Devotion and the Wonder of Surrender. Resistance, in the End, is Futile" --uncut

Customer Reviews:

Secret and safe.......2005-05-04

Mercury Rev is king.......2005-04-03

happy happy joy joy.......2005-03-28

Too poor to be as good as "Deserter's Songs".......2005-02-25

Underwhelmed..........2005-02-15

Average customer rating:

Secret and safe

Secret Migration
Mercury Rev
Manufacturer: V2
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001Z2XG8
Release Date: 2005-01-17

Tracks:

Secret For A Song
Across Yer Ocean
Diamonds
Black Forest (Lorelei)
Vermillion
In The Wilderness
In A Funny Way
My Love
Moving On
The Climbing Rose
Arise
First Time Mother's Joy (Flying)
Down Poured The Heavens

Album Description

Japanese pressing of long awaited 2005 album, includes one bonus track, 'Mirror for a Bell'. The 14-track album was produced by the band and long-time collaborator Dave Fridman who also worked on the bands previous 2 albums 'All Is Dream' and 'Deserter's Songs'. 'The Secret Migration' sees Mercury Rev in a somewhat lighter mood, with songs like the anthemic 'Secret for a Song' sounding immediate and forceful. If Deserter's Songs was autumn, 'All Is Dream' winter, then 'The Secret Migration' feels like spring: fresh-cheeked and infused with hopeful spirits. V2.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track: "Mirror Four a Bell". Six Seems to Be the Luckiest Number for Mercury Rev's 2005 Album, the Sixth Opus in their Catalog. It Has Been Met with Near Unanimous Critical Acclaim and is Hailed as One of the Best Records of the Fledgling New Year. For Example, the Evening Echo (Ireland) Declared in Its Five Star Review, "Excellent May Be a Loaded Word to Use...but Excellent it Is, from Start to Finish." And Furthermore, "Mercury Rev Return Us to a Realm of Spirit We've all but Lost Touch With... A Brilliant, Uncompromising Exploration of Devotion and the Wonder of Surrender. Resistance, in the End, is Futile" --uncut

Customer Reviews:

Secret and safe.......2005-08-26

It takes awhile to figure out just what is wrong with "Secret Migration," the latest by British rock band Mercury Rev. But eventually it becomes obvious what the problem is: It's not grounded enough, and too sleepy and lush. It has some of the bones of their best work, but it ends up being a bit cloying.

The past releases by Mercury Rev have been on par with stuff like the Flaming Lips and Sparklehorse -- brilliant, otherworldly and complex. Here, the fairy-tale motif takes over, rather than orchestral pop and psychedelic rock. Ye Olde Renaissance Rock'n'Rolle, maybe, with mentions of "morning stars," white horses, sinister forests, silver oceans and fairy rides. Pretty, but not very substantial.

Musically, the band is still in solid form -- lots of epic soundscapes and rich instrumentation. Sure, they have wandered all over the musical palette, but they never fail to sound lush and interesting. The one flaw is that they lost that folksy edge -- especially the bowed saws -- that characterized their sound in "Deserter's Songs."

It starts off with a series of very grand, rich songs, which are sent up in the air by piano and organ, and only rooted by some very solid basslines. But with "Vermillion," the soft piano revs up into a faster tempo that carries over until the final round of songs, which are airy but surprisingly powerful. Synths and soft bass are what carry the songs into that pretty, if less powerful, sound.

The songwriting stumbles slightly. Jonathan Donahue's unmelodious vocals are a bit on the annoying side, but the lyrics are also weaken "Secret Migration." A few like "In The Wilderness" have the spare, grounded sound, but often the lyrics are dressed up in Ye Olde Rock'n'Rolle descriptions: "See how the rain, captured by the leaves,/Shimmers and falls, and lives on in diamond balls,/Like a necklace hung, over limb and branch,/For me to show to you, like gifts." It just barely misses being exquisite, and ends up a bit contrived.

Mercury Rev has a rare miss in "Secret Migration," which is just a little too fairy-tale-ish for its own good. Were they to ride dragonflies less often, they would sound pretty close to perfect.

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