It’s a near-miracle that Mercury Rev have made it to album number seven. Their early years were marred by bickering and chaotic performances, veering precariously from the sublime to the ridiculous. They revelled in the chaos and captured it brilliantly in their early albums Yerself Is Steam and Boces. But hovering on the brink of self destruction can only work for so long, and in 1994, vocalist David Baker left the band and Rev stalwart Jonathan Donahue stepped up. Their music took a new turn, becoming lighter, more filmic and ethereal, culminating in the release of their most successful album to date, Deserter’s Songs (released, believe it or not, ten years ago). Snowflake Midnight sees Mercury Rev return to their best form, and this time they have thrown in an ambient electronic twist. They are frequently compared to The Flaming Lips, but perhaps the release of this album will put an end to that, as Mercury Rev are taking the sounds of neo-psychedelic American rock music to a new place.

To produce an album as accomplished as Snowflake Midnight, a band must be cohesive - their fractious early years were part of the journey that brought them to this cohesion. Yes, this album is different, Mercury Rev reinvent and reinvent, yet they are always, without question, Mercury Rev. Donahue’s soaring, sharp vocals act as a signpost to reassure us as we gingerly approach the band’s new sound.

Snowflake Midnight has an irresistible transcendental quality. The album juxtaposes epic, complex instrumental arrangements with synthetic electronic beats. There are hints of Brian Eno and the glory days of Grandaddy to be found on Snowflake Midnight. Opening track ‘Snowflake in a hot world’ carries us on a metaphysical voyage, sinking into layers of sound, “melting into something that’s bigger than you”. Raindrops, sunshine, butterflies, squirrels, flowers and fire form the inspiration for these songs; they are elemental, lifting and humbling. The beginning of ‘Dream of a Young Girl as a Flower’ is reminiscent of The Who’s ‘Baba O’Reilly’, building gradually and eventually exploding. ‘Butterflys Wing’ and ‘Senses on Fire’ are mesmerising tracks, taking the band’s electronic leanings and running with them. They conjure an impression of the world being born anew, where everything is looked upon and wondered at for the first time. An infectious sense of overwhelming awe flows throughout the album, nowhere more so than in ‘October Sunshine’, a shimmering, delicate instrumental piece.

Strange Attractor, a companion album to Snowflake Midnight is being simultaneously released, free to download from www.mercuryrev.com. Mercury Rev cannot be contained within a single album anymore.

When Snowflake Midnight ends, the silence leaves a sting in the ears. The only remedy is to reach for the repeat button.

Release date: 29/09/08
Artist website: www.mercuryrev.com
Label: V2

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