Reviews (page 6 of 8)
some cool sounds, but otherwise sounds like every 90s album
I don't know. It's not good, it's not bad. It's fine. I don't want to spend my time listening to this again.
Not bad
Pretty dreamlike and ethereal, but alright
If someone were to ask me I don't even know how I would describe this music or what I would call it. After one listen I can't say that I loved it but I didn't dislike it by any means either. Overall I enjoyed it and thought it to be an interesting listen. This album gives me a vibe that if I were to give it a few more listens that it would probably grow on me so I'd give it a solid 3 or 3.5.
The album overall not bad with a few good songs but holy shit The Happy Ending is the worst song I have ever heard. A kid playing random notes would be more tolerable
Oh cool, another artist I've never heard of before, I like listening to these ones, though I am getting immediate Flaming Lips vibes from this. A ton of reed and wind instruments right out of the gate, feels kind of 'fairy-tale-esque', along with a bunch of differing tinky percussion. Omg..... I read the wiki linked here and the lead singer of this band WAS a member of flaming lips! lol. It said he left the band because of creative differences with Coyne, makes me wonder how much influence he had over FL cause they sound almost exactly the same. There's definitely less of a 'pretentiousness' around this album compared to FL but it is for sure still coming through to me. I'm also getting Neutral milk hotel vibes as well. I don't know how to describe this music.... seems kinda like an off-shoot of dream-pop, like dream-psychedelic i guess. I like the album and will probably give it an above average score but I'm pretty sure this is the band's most acclaimed album and I don't see myself enjoying an entire discography of this genre. The Funny Bird is by far my fave track on this record.
Today is a day where ambiguity ruled and this album rounded it off. This is such weird music, I really love parts of it until there is someone wailing like a banshee and it quickly throws me off.
Quirky but interesting and relaxing.
I liked it a lot more than I thought considering I had never heard of Mercury Rev.
I’m not sure how I feel about this album just yet. It was partly soothing and partly WTH is going on. I think it will grown on my so it’s added to my playlist.
A good mix of genres, some tracks were unsettling, but most were listenable.
These guys are pretty great. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the album. But, man, if you didn't know better you'd think you were listening to a Flaming Lips album.
Best song - Goddess On A Hiway
This is another band I had never heard before. Sounds like the Flaming Lips...which is a sound I really like. That being said, I'm not sure I would have put this on the list, but I am glad to have heard the album.
Arcade Fire vibes. Not my thing personally but I don’t hate it tbh.
Very Flaming Lips but this is unsurprising looking at the history. Both bands leave me a bit cold if I’m honest. And I think calling them ‘celebrities’ in the UK after this album is a bit of a stretch.
Obviously heard of Mercury Rev, but never actually HEARD them. Feels a bit Polyphonic Spree in places. Favourite tracks: Endlessly (which has a strong Silent Night vibe in the melody), Goddess on a Hiway, Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp
Gloom rock
It's alright
Interesting I guess.
Ik vond dit een zeer interessante plaat
Aardig, maar ook wel iets teveel mi-mi-mi-mah-mah-mah gejengel.
There were some low moments here and there but overall pretty decent
a friend described this one as disney music and yeah they're kinda right. "holes" and "the funny bird" are worth it but i could live without a lot of the rest.
Definitely had a flaming lips feel to it, but disappointed after the first track (which I loved). Beyond that and maybe one or two others not much stood out to me. 5/10
Enjoyed the experience of this album. Not really in my wheelhouse so would not listen again.
Interesting and somewhat dramatic, but ultimately too overwrought to make an impact beyond being a minor footnote. It preens and posits, but never really flows, and never even comes close to rocking. The near soprano vocal style works only on a few cuts and the symphonic aspirations never really pay off (end of "Holes" is probalby as close as the band comes). Still there are winning moments, especially the closer "Delta Sun..." which is the best of the lot. "Opus 40" and "Goddess on the Highway." One remembers trying to get the hang of this band in real time – this was state-of-the art fin de siecle art rock – but couldn't quite, an impression that feels familiar this time round, too. The similarity to Neil Young is passing at best and the comparison to Pink Floyd a full-on reach. .
It’s ok
2-3 stars. I hit like on 1-2 songs.
Didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, it was definitely a mix in terms of the songs but those I enjoyed, were really great.
Inicia bastante bien, pero luego me aburre un poco xd
Liked the style, but got old after a while.
Not a band I’d put in a 'bands I listen to often, or at all, really’ list, but I enjoyed this. Maybe I should give them a better listen
This was not what I was expecting. I had in my mind that Mercury Rev were the kind of boring, semi-corporate quasi-indie band that proliferated in the late 90s and early 2000s, and with which I was (and continue to be) bored by. But, when I started playing this record, I recognized the songs Holes, which is a a woozier, more interesting song than I was expecting. The connections to the Flaming Lips are significant. This album was the one of the first of that late 90s softly psychedelic, quirky rock sound (possibly twee?) that followed, especially centred around the production of Dave Friedman (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, Pond, etc). I liked some of the records that followed more than this, but I can see how this was instrumental in breaking the way through and showing that music like this could be commercially viable. I admire that they made it for themselves, as this was highly unfashionable at the time, personal, and quirky. It certainly did not resemble much on the charts at the time Some critics have accused this of having some strong songs (Holes, Opus 40, Goddess on the Hiway), and some filler. I don't mind the "filler". It's different and weirdly produced, even if not particularly memorable. I really am on the line of 3 or 4 starts, but, in my heart of hearts, I wished this rocked just a little more, and his singing voice does get on my tit after a while. I can also live without the musical saw. I am putting it in as a three, on the understanding that this is clear 3.5.
Never heard of this band, so I have no idea what to expect. From the cover and name I expected Stoner rock, but the first song doesn't sound like it. Really chill album, I like it quite a bit.
I listened to this back in the day, the band was surprisingly good and this album is a solid and at times, beautiful listen. A lot of comments compare them to the Flaming Lips and I do remember listening to similar like-minded alternative bands around this time and probably discovered Mercury Rev through listening to the Lips. Nothing essential here and they're music never really grabbed or stuck with me, in fact this is the first time listening to the album since the early 2000's.
This is a bizarre album, hard to define, and for some reason, this is a compliment. It does not look like anything from the 90s that I've listened to before, and, at the same time, it is strangely comfortable for my 90s ears. I think that deserves a second listening session to ensure everything is correct.
Pour etre franc je m'attendais a rien mais j'ai été agréablement surpris. Je connaissais pas et j'ai aimé l'ambiance de l'album ainsi que les élans. Surtout dans Funny bird. 3.85
Not really my cup of tea
Never heard of the band or any of the songs. I enjoyed it.
ok but nothing really stood out
I enjoyed this. I don't think I ever listened to this album in high school when it came out. I knew the hit, but nothing else.
first time listening favorite the funny bird
I was walking past a small, intimate, local concert venue a few days back, trying to remember who I was supposed to see in said venue many years back but had to miss the gig due to various broken limbs. Could I remember? Not on your Nelly. And then this album popped up this morning and I am pretty sure it was Mercury Rev I missed that time. I love the ethereal quality of this album. Donahue’s voice has very sweet childlike qualities. The overall impact is not brilliant but it has a very space agey quality. I could have been in an episode of Star Trek. Goddess of the Hiway is gorgeous. Not sure how I’d feel if I actually got to see them all those years ago. They’re falling very much in the middle for me now although I do love all the experimentation. But whereas The Stooges made me feel bouncy and upbeat yesterday, this lot just make feel wistful and dreamy. The irony of this album being about ‘walking away’ and me simultaneously not being able to walk into the venue has not escaped me.
Hey Jimmy, I got a theramin! Cool! Bring it over. I just bought an aquatic-themed refrigerator magnet set. I'll come up with words and you do something cool. Sounds good, I just listened to "Golden Slumbers," think I might borrow from that to write an eipc tune. Let's call it "Opus something." Love it! I've been binging Flaming Lips for a month. Pretty sure we wont sound anything like them, though. Radical! I didn't dislike it so much as had this running commentary going on in my head as it played. Kinda hard to take this too seriously.
meh
they're like a less fun version of the flaming lips.
🫠
Mellow and trance-like at times. There's a mood for albums like these, such as nighttime road trips, but otherwise I didn't find a lot to connect with. Wikipedia says it shares a bond with The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips (an album I've already heard) so I'll consider listening to them together in the future. 3/5
This band is probably perfect for when you are on ecstasy and pondering the meaning of life when you are in your 20's.
Pop tranquilo y fácil de escuchar, con buenas voces, sosegadas, ritmos en ocasiones que se sale un poco de lo habitual.
The other Lips 5 - Masterpiece, 4 - Love it, 3 - Like it, 2 - Whatever, 1 - Turn it off
Not super my kind of music but can appreciate it. Happy road trippy vibes
Listened to this in the morning and it fit the mood Liked it Some funny lyrics, liked the music Will listen to this again
I remember that I enjoy the music. I replay the album a couple of times but nothing really sticks. I dont know. Maybe because I just play them on the background. 2.5/5
I was not surprised when I went to Wiki to see if this band was an iteration of The Flaming Lips to see that there is cross-pollination between the bands. Album is quite audibly lush, though the vocals aren't really to my taste.
Holes has to be one of the best openers ever, but the rest is a bit boring.
- Never heard of Mercury Rev before - Can see the Flaming Lips comparisons, think it also sounds a lot like Smashing Pumpkins - The opener was clearly the best track - Fav songs: Holes, Endlessly, Opus 40
Pretty good
Twee.
3.75
It was interesting, very artsy. It wasn't bad, not really my style.
This was interesting, but I didn't love it. It just maybe didn't come together for me. For example, I love a musical saw, but it just seemed to be really sticking out here, rather than an integral part of the songs. I appreciated it more as a group that took risks than something I will keep listening to. There are some great lyrics, and "Goddess of the Hiway" is wonderful.
Yawn!
3/5. Sounds a little like too many other songs. Like almost similar note patterns. Some fun and unique instrumentation keeps this from being a bad album.
Pop rock. Indie
What a change from butthole surfers! Found this music and voice very unique. From the very beginning, I thought I was going to hate, but Holes grew on me and I have to say I liked Opus 540, Hudson Line and Goddess on a Highway. I re-listened yesterday and think my Mindy may like this. The last 2-3-4 minutes was a little out there, but overall, I kinda liked this album and don't have many complaints. Ill give 2.5 but will rate a 3
3 Never have I ever heard of Mercury before this. “Please be cool” I thought as tender synth started playing and when Mr. Rev started singing my stomach dropped. Another quiet album with nothing to grab on to. I was already tenuous until BAM! Saxophone! By the end of the first song a lot of my fears were quelled and I was drawn in. This album sounds like lullabies for nightmares. This album was starting to put me to sleep near the middle until OPUS40 gave it a jolt of life which lasted through Hudson’s Line. Poppy and bluesy but the momentum was quickly halted by a song I can only describe as a Legend of Zelda song that was cut from the game. Goddess on a Hiway is fuckin’ awesome which I think highlights this album’s biggest problem which is it’s consistency. Is it elf-core or 90s pop rock? Tender and acoustic? Jazz? Idk but I’d say I like more than I didn’t like. That ending though… Favorites: Holes, Tonite it Shows, OPUS40, Hudson Line, Goddess on a Hiway, The Funny Bird, Pick Up If You’re There
3 I saw that the frontman for this band was previously a guitarist for The Flaming Lips, and I can definitely hear how his time with the group influenced this album. However, this album was also supposedly recorded while the band was at its lowest point, after a period of commercial failure, personal hardships, and amassing debt, and I think the ensuing sound does a good job of encapsulating the desperation of the band. I kept thinking how each song would fit behind a character’s “come to Jesus” scene in a movie or show, when they realize they’ve bottomed out, and are about to begin their redemption arc (or tragic ending). The tone throughout is very consistent, and nothing feels out of place (except for the hidden track, though those are usually deliberately jarring), but it’s also not overly interesting. Holes was a great opening track and moodsetter, but not much else stuck out to me after that. I think the fact I kept thinking of movie scenes is proof of the music here being more complementary sound than the forefront. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing and that music should always be flashy and catchy, but in this case I wasn’t left with much of a lasting impression.
музыка интересная, а вокал чё-то не
There were some songs that were okay, but this is sitting at a 2.5.
This had it's moments but didn't quite get there
Meh fine.
Weird- but I think I like it. Vocals are squeaky and it has a psychedelic thing happening. The dischordant breaks are not for me but there are a few tracks I went back to and listened again because I’m not sure if I like them or not
Never heard of Mercury Rev before sound slot like the flaming lips, good album just didn’t wow me
Really enjoyed Funny Bird and Pick Up if You're There a lot, but the rest sounded like mid tier Flaming Lips. And Like Flaming Lips, I appreciate what they're doing more than I actually enjoy it.
Hey!!! I already had this one
Not a good album of theirs. But, it got me back into them. I went back and listened to “The Great Migration” which was one of my favorite albums for a couple of years in the mid 2000s. I also tried listening to other albums, but only found that I liked the one.
This album is a rollercoaster in terms of tone, but in a good way. Long periods of music without lyrics allows for the neo-psychedelia aspect to really show itself off.
Hiway of a godess was good
T3B 1. Goddess on a Hiway 2. Holes 3. The Funny Bird Wasn’t expecting much, but what a good listen. Ups and downs but pretty surprised! Solid 3.
What a schizophrenic, creepy album. I was walking the dog as it was getting dark behind a railway track and through a tunnel whilst Pick Up If You’re There was on. Head was on a swivel. 3 stars.
ok i guess
flaming lips lullaby album
Flaming lips makes an elevator music album. Delightfully vanilla.
I liked the cinematic sound with the strings and the saw doing theremin type stuff. There’s some pretty cool stuff but I feel like I might like this better with a different singer. 3
His voice kinda sounds like the Death Cab guy. There are specific parts I like but for the most part, the lyrics aren’t great. Endlessly definitely rips off Silent Night.
seems okay, i dig the strings and the dreaminess, the vocals get old for me
Interesting. I like the album but if I saw this live I leave early so I can fight traffic.
Rock-pop alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
soft spoken. garage rocky. i thought it was the flaming lips for a second. it was good.
"Holes" is the big opener and second biggest track on here going off of play count on Spotify. I think it sounds alright, has a cinematic sort of chord progression/melody/arrangement with a super pleasing dissonant final chord in each repeating progression. "Tonite It Shows", the second track, continues with the cinematic type of sound. Oboe, clarinet, harp, and pizzicato strings are pretty different for a singer-songwriter type of sound. I liked the album the more that I listened to it. I don't love the timbre of the singers voice, which is something I really hate saying. It simply doesn't grab my ears enough for me to want to listen again after a song finishes. It's not terrible or anything, but I think it's just a little bit uninteresting. The overall sound is nice though and I can tell that there was a lot of effort put into all of the little details on the record. If this was a simple singer-songwriter indie rockish sort of record then it would be a 2/5 for me but production and arrangement bumps it to a 3/5.
So shimmery.
Lovely artsy alt rock sound, feels like the laying of tracks for the weirder alt rock of the 2000s
On flirte avec les Flaming Lips ici. Je crois bien avoir déjà entendu la pièce Holes. Ça ouvre bien l'album. Ça se gâche par contre avec l'exploration avec la scie qui devient parfois très agaçante. Pour le reste, il y a d'autres bons moments (comme Goddess on a Hiway), mais la production me dérange parfois. Après avoir lu sur le groupe, je suis plus intrigué d'aller écouter les premiers albums que de réécouter cet album qui est très inégal.
ok mas nada de mais
Yeah, it was fine
Quite pretty. I like the lyrics, but not so keen on the Flaming Lips style vocals. Very mellow.
Liked this. Didn't love it. So like 3.5 but not 4. And since 3.5 isn't an option I'ma round down on this one.
I hear the Flaming Lips comparisons that a lot of people have made, but yeah... not as good.
Part ‘90s alternative part turn of the shoegaze there’s some real interesting stuff going on here. It’s struggles with being interesting enough throughout the run time.
3.5/5
first listen quirky and chambery, but also boring?
Not my favorite, had a hard time getting into it
I enjoyed this. Interesting and eclectic. 3 stars.
Rock-pop alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
Nice music, very ethereal sounding and soothing
I like that album. Very much a mellower Flaming Lips that highlights the best parts.
Un d'aquests discos suposadament obres mestres i que no passen de ser un meritori exercici d'art des de la depressió. La voluntat i el que envolta els objectius del disc solen encumbrar-lo més enllà del que realment és: un bon disc de psicodèlia noventera, amb una veu molt característica, uns arranjaments amb classe i dos grans temes, 'Opus 40' i 'Goddess on a Higway'
pretty groovy
Apparently the similarity to The Flaming Lips I was hearing was no coincidence, since Donahue was a former member. I want to like this because the music seems deep and meaningful, but the wandering vocal delivery and doofy orchestration are irritating.
Really liked the first song, definitely has some Sparklehorse and Flaming Lips vibes. However much of the other songs are kind of misses for me, not sure I loved the execution. I dig the concept though.
This is so good 4 for "Holes" and "I Collect Coins" "Endlessly" was pretty good too 3
The list described this as Neil Young fronting Pink Floyd, but to me it sounds more like sad, somber Flaming Lips. Dece.
As a 90's alternative fan, this just fit my sensibilities. How had I never heard this band/album before? The question behind the album's sound... what would a late 90's alternative band on an asteroid belt mining rig sound like? It's belter music influenced by some mixed tapes salvaged a passed down that contains Nirvana, Jane's Addition, Moist, and Chemical Brothers.
Good composition. This album was similar to flaming lips with some composition through in
This was not what I was expecting. I had in my mind that Mercury Rev were the kind of boring, semi-corporate quasi-indie band that proliferated in the late 90s and early 2000s, and with which I was (and continue to be) bored by. But when I started playing this record, I immediately recognized the songs Holes, which is a woozier, more interesting song than I was expecting. The connections to the Flaming Lips are significant, and this album (in many ways) was the first of that late 90s softly psychedelic, quirky rock (possibly twee?) that followed, especially centred around the production of Dave Friedman (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, Pond, etc). I liked some of the records that followed more than this, but I can see how this was instrumental in breaking the way through and showing that music like this could be commercially viable. I admire that they made it for themselves -- this was highly unfashionable at the time -- personal, and quirky. It certainly did not resemble much on the charts at the time Some critics have accused this of having some strong songs (Holes, Opus 40, Goddess on the Hiway) and some filler. I don't mind the "filler". It's different and weirdly produced, even if somewhat unmemorable. I really am on the line of 3 or 4 stars, but in my heart of hearts, I wished this rocked just a little more, and his voice gets on my tit after a while, so I am putting it in as a three, on the understanding that this is clear 3.5.
Can't say I feel too special for pointing out how eerily they sound to Flaming Lips, from the etheral instrumental to vocal style. I wouldn't question it if you told me "Holes" was actually Flaming Lips. It's a lovely dreamy style for us fans of traditional pop and chamber pop. The songs were memorable and pleasant, especially with all the unique strings and other instruments (a saw?) The instrumental tracks were decent interludes to divide the experience. I was only impressed by two tracks. Besides the unique instruments, the lackluster performer failed to satiate me, especially when compared to the crazy psychedelia of Flaming Lips. I do appreciate their efforts to get wild in "The Funny Bird." I would enjoy listening to this again, especially as background music.
Not too bad. Not too good. Would listen to if on
A grower. Not great, but the good songs are BRILLIANT.
Another band I’ve heard of but never listened to. Eclectic (possibly to a fault) and I could do without the wild theremin forays (or whatever electronic noise generation gizmos were at play) but some really strong parts too and worth further exploration.
Not on Spotify
I really love some of the songs here and some are just musical seesaw instrumentals
Ambient sort of music
3 stars. A lot of variety. Maybe too much
Mercury Rev and their album Deserter's Songs were new to me. I liked the album. The album definitely had a sound that reminded me of some of the alternative music from the 90s. The first track ("Holes") had definite Flaming Lips vibes, and by the end of the album I was reminded of Sigur Rós. Was there something in this album that reminded me of Modest Mouse? I dunno. "Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp" was the individual track that got my highest rating, and ""The Happy End (The Drunk Room)” got my lowest. Overal the album was good, but I'm not sure if I'll remember to come back to the albumfor a second listen any time soon. I'd be happy to listen to another suggestion from this band.
It's the air of depression made with a mellotron, flugelhorns, female whistling, tettix wave accumulator, chamberlin strings, yeh you get my point. A formulaic attempt to get 5/5 from NME.
I enjoyed this album.
Little too sad for me, but it’s good.
1st track bittersweet and beautiful, a bit like Spiritualized etc but with the cosy quaint voice of someone more like Ira Kaplan or smth. Good instrumentation - it's varied and sort of like classic mellatron and sort of like Divine Comedy orchestration. Some of the swelling strings are like the sentimental bits of Grizzly Bear. Third track is like McCartney meets Incredible String Band meets Joe Meek it's sort of corny but cool. Fourth track is lovely tapey piano and mellotrony warble. It's quite nice and good for the background, it's main character-y lol.
I had never heard of this band before today. It definitely does have a Flaming Lips vibe going on. The opener is pretty damn good followed by mixed results. I could see myself returning to this one in the future. It could be a grower. As of right now I'd rather just listen to Holes and then put on a preferred Flaming Lips album if I was looking for something like this.
Very new agey. Interesting but not my favorite.
i actually quite liked this album. i thought it was interesting and deep. 3.5/5? i feel like there isn’t much to say, i didn’t think i’d like it but i did.
Nettes Album, aber nicht ganz „mein Ding“
abbey road + death cab for cutie + Illinois 3.5
Cool and ethereal. Everyone has already made the point about them sounding like the Flaming Lips so I'll just add: they sound like the Flaming Lips Liked: Endlessly*, Opus 40, Goddess on a Hiway
An intriguing sound, in a similar vein to The Flaming Lips. I love the vibe of the songwriting, but the singer's voice isn't really my thing.
I rarely listen to bands described as "pranksters", so except for 1001's suggestion, would never have listened to this album. It's actually decent - I'll probably give it a second listen sooner than later. But it's not added to my library.
Hadnt listened to this for a long time and it was fun to return with some great individual tracks that were well worth a revisit. Not sure the whole thing works but at least its trying to be a little inventive.
Chilled out with a hint of the flaming lips
Dreamy, psychedelic pop music. It was very calming to listen to
It was fine
Didn't hate it. Liked the last song in particular, but at the same time it didn't really grab me.
Nice, but with the exception of one song - not that special (hope the band members won't read this)
Interesting sound.
Good album, a bit softer for my Rock tastes, but very listenable. I like the variety of different instruments in it. Favorite song was Goddess on a Hiway, followed by Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp. 3.4/5.0
Another fun album
Initial reaction was that I was going to hate it but it actually grew on me by the end
Weird but fun
Okay, nothing that made me want to listen again but not horrible
3.7
Meh
not really my style, but not bad
This type of music is a blend of Bob Dylan with more dreamy/exploratory sound. It's good, but I wouldn't listen to it again.
I liked this
First few tracks are nice but it got a bit much after a while. I think I could really enjoy this if I'm in the right mood
Never heard of this band before. Quite liked the first few songs but then got a bit bored of it before the end.
Disappointed
I didn’t entirely dislike it but this wasn’t great. The vocal performance and lyrics were pretty weak, overall it felt pretty mopey, and the last song was just annoying. 5/10
Some good songs, but got really weird at some points
"You had to choose, a side to lose, and divide yourself in two The way you were, long before, you were a walking civil war But you forget, where the road goes, and tonite it shows" (Tonite it shows)
I was so ready to hate this album solely based off of the band's picture on Spotify. The dude with the soul patch looks like the kind of guy who would see a woman in a band t-shirt and ask her to name 5 songs or she's a poser. And then they hit me with a totally different vibe. Honestly they kind of sound like a knock off Flaming Lips, or at least the lead singer sounds like a knock off Wayne Coyne. Then I learned some of the members worked on early Flaming Lips albums, and then that made a little more sense. I more enjoyed the songwriting than I did any of the music, it seemed to just blend in the background for me. To be honest, not going to listen to this again but I wasn't angry I heard it.
never heard of them in my life so very intrigued < > not bad. Liked the higher voices and the weird musical instruments for the most part
Opus 40 like Pachelbel's Canon then going into Beatles' Carry That Weight. 'Endlessly' using whistling theremin to a track that sounds like Silent Night. Hudson Line, nice sax intro and musical interlude, but otherwise a disapoontingly repetitive and uninspiring track and similarly with Holes. I started off thinking I might quite enjoy this album but then started getting bored. Goddess on a Hiway was an enjoyable track, but more theremin? Really? Isn't The Happy End like the kind of shit you have to listen to when you're doing a music degree? Finally got pissed off with this album. I liked the sad retro vibe of I Collect Coins but that was about the best of it. Tonite it Shows reminiscent of Hushaby Mountain. Getting a generous 3 stars from me.
- It’s goofy, light-hearted. Reminds me of mgmt a bit. - Not a fan of the voice initially - feels like there’s a story intertwined in the songs. Cinematic/ less musical parts - liked goddess of the hiway - relistening to some of the songs got me more into the sound/ voice
The Beatles but kinda darker.
There were some good songd, but I didn’t find it album entertaining from start to end. A little dull in the vibe it is selling.
Not often you get rock albums with someone playing the saw. Basically a flaming lips album from an alternate reality.
I had never heard of these guys, so I listened to this with some interest. It was fine, but forgettable.
I thought these songs were the flaming lips. Like the instrumentation.
I thought I had never heard of this band, but Holes sounds really familiar. Either way, I love that first track and listened to it 3 times before proceeding with the rest of the album. Is that a theramin? Whatever it is, love that high pitched note that adds eerieness to the songs. Sounds like a soundtrack to a good indie-movie. Sexy Saxophone? Lots of instruments and sounds experiments happening. Radiohead-like? Goddess on a Hiway is just a great pop song.
It's pretty cool and reminds me of a Flaming Lips type sounds. I particularly liked the aggressive noise of Funny Bird.
Neo-psychedelic pop, really a 3.5 star, precursor to the flaming lips
Hometown pride (Go Bills!) will never be enough to get me to understand this damn band
Surprised this is my first time ever hearing this- beautiful music and very eclectic compositions. Lots of unique sounds heard in every song. Last song is great, but ends with a weird hidden track... Highlights: Hudson Line Goddess On A Hiway
Kinda off-kilter? Not quite ethereal, but not quite percussive and steady either. Later songs were better than the start, that's for sure.
Not really cohesive (probably the point), but good songs overall
Interesting listen... Don't enjoy it much
I enjoyed 2nd half of the album much more than the first.
Enjoyed the last song the most. The rest was just smooth listening, uninteresting tunes.
This was alright. I liked some of the folksy aspects but didn’t care for others. It sounds better when you’re half listening to it.
Tunnelma sopi perjantaihin ja kuunteli hyvillä mielin. Ei kuitenkaan tarjonnut ihmeitä joten ei mene jatkoon.
Neat alt album, lots of Flaming Lips and some Phish vibes.
I can't believe this is NME's 1998 album of the year, look at the great ones on their list they put this one above.
Eh, not great as well
Temu Flaming Lips. Not particularly good or bad.
I don’t care for the singer’s voice. There were some good songs that would have been better if sung by someone else. His voice reminded me of the Flaming Lips but their songs were way less interesting. Another album that does not need to be on this list. 2/5
2.5. Weird mix of things but not all bad.
I listened to this twice but could not retain anything. No complaints but also nothing special. It was pleasant white noise.
I’d rather have some songs from a dessert-er
Not my type of rock
Poeh, dit is dan weer even helemaal niets. Het is een soort folkrock achtig album? In elk geval kom ik er weer eens achter dat folk gewoon niet echt mijn muziek is. Dit album kabbelt ook een beetje voorbij zonder dat het een seconde mn aandacht pakt. De zang is niet zo bijzonder, de productie valt me dan wel nog op omdat daar best wat gebeurt. Misschien is het geen folkrock, maar meer psych pop ofzoiets, omdat er een stuk meer gebeurt instrumentaal dan op een gemiddeld folk albumpje. Richting het einde komt er iets meer tempo in, maar alles bij elkaar is dit een album dat ik eigenlijk al voor het laatste nummer ben vergeten. 1001 albums die je MOET horen voor je doodgaat? Het zal wel, dit kon me echt totaaaaal niet boeien. FAVO: Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp
Starts out pretty rough. I do not like his voice. It’s goofy, much like a lot of the arrangements. I liked it more as I got through it, although the hidden track put me back at square one. Rating: 3/10 Favorite Song: Goddess on a Hiway
The first track was awesome and I was pretty excited to listen to the rest of the album - unfortunately, it was pretty irritating and silly-sounding.
I found this quite tedious to get through.
For me it didn't really hit. It was kind of boring
Meh
A solid indie rock record that sounds of the time and scene in which it was created. Other reviewers compared to The Flaming Lips and Phish. Wish it was more Phish. 2.5⭐️
weird vocals
If you told me any of these songs were used in a John Lewis Christmas advert I’d believe you
Felt conflicted about this, I found it quite melodramatic and overblown for the most part, but it then started to interest me a bit towards the end with 'Pick Up If You're There'. Won't listen again but I probably wouldn't have listened ever if it wasn't on this list.
Simple and dreamy. The back story (about being saved by the Chemical Brothers and sharing the studio with the Flaming Lips), the orchestration, and the eerie (windlike?) background sound effects gets Deserted Songs on The 1001 Must Hear List. It’s an easy listen, Opus 40 is the top track, followed by Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp, followed by Hudson Line making for a good threefer. Get rid of The Happy End. Some good variety for such a simple sound. The secret song could also be dumped. Sounded like an off key soundtrack to a frantic cartoon. (2.3 bugsplats) Nice of the Chem Bros to talk up the album and save Merc Rev!
Deserter's Songs are not bad but there is something about the lead's voice that irks me. Sounds weak and pasty. Side B better, more abstract experimentation. "Funny Bird" best song on the album...maybe cause they disguised lead's voice. True to the 90s, its got a secret song...yes! I'd check out the mini DVD release. The band needs to rev it up a bit to get the mercury rising...2.08 stars.
Deserter's Songs is a tricky album to sum up. At times it was kinda slow and I was confused as to what they were going for. At other times there was some decent orchestration with a wide variety of non-traditional instruments that somewhat piqued my interest. It's not often that I get exposed to a musical saw, mellotron or wurlitzer, and they managed to put all of that and more within this album so I guess that is reason enough to check it out. I can't quite pinpoint if I enjoyed it or not, though I expect this band would be more enjoyable in a live setting. Much like Flaming Lips some of the unique and unorthodox nature of the band is best captured in the room. Not a bad album overall but in the long run I expect it will pretty much fade from my memory. 1.90 stars
As I have never really gotten this album but like plenty of other songs by this band as well as albums adjacent to this but don't really know why this one never resonated with me but picked up plenty of accolades - I'm gonna defer to the sage - Bob Christgau...the album that became inevitable as soon as rock and rollers began allowing as how, damn it, they really liked Ennio Morricone. Say hello to--and not for the last time, God help us--soundtrack-rock. Just don't ask me what it's the soundtrack to.
Recorded in the same studio, at the same time, with the same producers, instrumental palette and chamber musicians as Soft Bulletin by the Flaming Lips. Once you know that, it makes sense. They sound like two sides of the same coin. This album is whatever side won the toss as Soft Bulletin is barely sufferable. This is however, moderately sufferable. I struggle with these American indie darlings, they have lots of ideas but very little soul or depth. Affectation is the word that springs to mind.
Ok 2/5
Too drowsy and undemanding.
Imagine if Phish decided to exclusively work on motion picture soundtracks from Pixar films directed by David Fincher. That's what we have here. I have no idea why this is on the list. It's certainly not an album. I feel like anyone must listen to. And more importantly, other than a a mild highlight in goddess on the hiway, this was an absolute snooze fest. It's not that I think that they don't have talent or that composition is not excellent... It's just boring. it's too much vocals to be ambient music. It's too much atmosphere to actively listen to. I'm giving it a three only because if this was attached to a movie and I like the movie, it would probably be a four or five star album.
The theremin sounds like a didgeridoo for ghosts. Goddess on a Hiway was cool but this is just not my style. 2/5
Never heard of this band before. The opener, Holes, is apparently the most well known song off the album. Unfortunately, it is boring, derivative shite. Is that a theremin in Endlessly?
Hipster douchery from hipster douchenuggets. Mellotron strings, theremins, double bass, ridiculously high pitched female backing vocals. This fine exhibit of cyberpunk onanism would be tolerable, with its pretty tunes, if the lyrics weern't so asinine.
Yikes, more of this. I seem to be getting a glut of Chamber Pop in the past month, a genre I'd (thankfully) never heard of before now. This is pretty spacy. Sounds like a lame Pink Floyd. And there's even a rip off of the Silent Night Christmas song in the third track. OK. 2/5
This would be better as an instrumental album. It wouldn't be great then but it would be better.
Points for recommending a band/album that I’ve never heard of. I was ready to hate it, but hints of the flaming lips made it more interesting. Not sure I’d listen to it again. Funny bird was the highlight for me.
Nah no good
A lot of comments talk about this sounding like the Flaming Lips which made me really dislike this album. Started cool but what I don't like about FL I dont like about this.
2.90
Don't let the incredible opener fool you this album is just okay
I’d like to hear this album without the keyboards/synth
I didn't know how to rate this album. At first I didn't like it, but then it kind of started being interesting, but then I didn't really want to give it another listen - at least not yet. Two stars for now, but I'll revisit when I'm in the right mood.
Was okay.
Only relistened to a couple songs but pretty neat
Started off real good with vibes like Beach House then it just got kinda mid I struggled to like this one
This is not bad it's just not interesting. I saw someone else say it's the poor cousin of The Flaming Lips and that feels about right.
Meh
Didn't like it
Forgettable Flaming Lips knockoff.
Well, that was certainly some music. Droning, repetitive parts interspersed with discordant instrumental stabs, plus lyrics which were doubtless very meaningful to the writer but didn't make any sense to me. An interesting assortment of instruments and clean, lush production, but I just didn't get it.
Mercury Rev’s Deserter’s Songs is an album of stark contrasts, blending exceptional, uncompressed audio production with a tracklist that frequently fluctuates in quality. The record kicks off strong with the atmospheric indie vibes of Holes and hits a true high point with the standout guitar solo on The Funny Bird, which easily could have served as a superior closer. The album also finds success with the genuinely pleasant melodies of Goddess on a Hiway. Unfortunately, much of the remaining runtime leans heavily into the mundane, bogged down by forgettable tracks like I Collect Coins and Pick Up If You're There, before wrapping up on a bizarre note with The Happy End. While the rich, well-separated instrumentals and flawless mastering ensure that nothing ever sounds offensive to the ear, the lack of consistent songwriting makes the journey largely hit-or-miss. Ultimately, despite housing a few genuine gems, the record struggles to leave a lasting impression as a cohesive whole, earning a modest 2/5.
Boring and the guy's voice is annoying.
Little too weird. Not enough meat.
I'm sorry but this is just not my thing. I like that they went less commercial and enjoyed what they did, but this does not click with me.
Lame indie music.
instrumentation is pretty cool, arrangements are quite fun, but the vocals are really just quite unpleasant to listen to
Meh, artsy to a fault
Unremarkable
I'm surprised I wasn't familiar with this album, and not at the same time. When you listen to it, you do feel the Flaming Lips' Soft Bulletin vibe since they were both produced at the same time by the same guy, very similar album structure, similar vocals, completely different instrumentation and arrangements. But for some reason, i'm just not clicking with this, apparently it was a hit, not sure where, doesn't sound like something that would sound in a store or radio other than indie stations for a while. Kinda reminds me of Sparklehorse too, but this is more like an annoying musical than an indie show. Not bad, just not for me.
This is like a derivative mash up of Flaming Lips and Cloud Cult, but with lamer lyrics. Not impressed.
Very average, can't say there's anything particular memorable or impactful about it
Sort of not my thing. Maybe in a different mood
Couldn't get into this at all, didn't do anything for me. Ended up skipping most of it.
🤔
It's like Flaming lips but not really good Will I listen to again: 1%
This was honestly boring. I'm almost inclined to give only a single star, but I guess that would be unfair compare to the other disasters I've found in this list.
Strangely boring for an album of my preferred genre. Maybe it was the orchestral bent, which made me think of owl city. All in all, a 2.5 rounded down.
its, very forgettable. the vibes are interesting and i appreciate the chamber pop aspect. but i just wont go back to listen to this again anytime soon. 4/10
I'll have Flaming Lips please. We don't carry Flaming Lips. Is Mercury Rev okay?
Who is this album for? Not me, apparently.
Thought this would be alot better just too slow
not that bad but i dont really like
2 out of 5. No real feelings towards this one, just meh.
not really my type of music
Fand nur das 1ste Lied gut. Rest bisschen Crazy
Relativement médiocre, voire désagréable.
interesting!!!
Jonathan Donahue worked with the Butthole Surfers, and I can't find a more mismatched couple if I tried
Feels like weird movie soundtrack music. Didn’t care for it.
I’d never heard of Mercure Rev before, even though some of the “Deserter’s Songs” sound familiar to me. In any case, this is just another mediocre ’90s alternative rock band, and I can’t find anything else noteworthy about it. At the start of this project, I had a bunch of ’80s new wave albums, most of which sounded more or less the same—now the same thing seems to be happening with the dominant style of the ’90s. Too bad!
- Played in Israel 5 times, most recently in 2022. Haven't heard anything from them against the genocide, so I have to assume they're Zionists, which is an instant boycott. - The instrumentals are pretty, expansive, and interesting, mainly on the first half of the album. - I can't get past the whiney, tentative, off-key vocals that have almost no range. Sounds like a weaker Flaming Lips vocally. And I hate when he sings "hoooles, dug by little mooooles", lol. - I agree with the person who said that this sounds like a mix of Flaming Lips and Spiritualized, but I prefer them. - Other than Goddess on a Hiway and Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp, I didn't enjoy the second half of the album. Too much dissonance with the same two notes repeated on The Happy End, off-key vocals on The Funny Bird, boring theramin, and then that stupid hidden track. - Also felt there was too much on the high end most of the time. - I was thinking of giving it a 3 when listening to the first half of the album, but it ended up being way too self-indulgent.
A bit too etheric and whispy for me.
Eeeeeemm. No sé muy bien que decir, no me gustó, no lo escucharía de vuelta, pero es curioso.
Lots of hits and misses, with a heavier leaning toward the misses. With this record, you'll get an upbeat track, but then go into some experimental, low-tempo track. This had some weird pacing. Favourite Track(s): Opus 40 Least Favourite Track(s): The Happy End (The Drunk Room)
Urgh. Like a bad Flaming Lips.
Forgettable, and even at 44 minutes it’s a chore
This feels like an album I'm going to forget I listened to in a week but it was inoffensive and mildly enjoyable.
I didn’t like it I don’t really know what else to say.
I think it's really funny that the band were surprised at how popular this album was. Hey, me too buddy. (I think I understand why, but this definitely wasn't something I enjoyed.)
Spooky vibes
Thought it was ok but not totally for me. Again I was trying to remember who it reminded me of - George said Flaming Lips and that’s who I was thinking of! I belive me and Lily saw them when they opened for Weezer 😊
интересная конечно вариация кантри под альтернативный рок, но не зацепило, пенся холс очень зашла но в остальном не очень
This is all so sublimated that calling it rock is a bit of a stretch!
#871. This is uh... not to my taste. I'm pretty sure I am not the target demographic for this. I don't know who is, but I know it's not me. 2/5: not great
2/5
Deserter Songs I was interested to listen to this having not heard it since it had its moment in the sun back in 1998/99. Goddess on a Hiway is still an excellent track, I still like the intonation and lyrics of the chorus in Holes and Opus 40 is good, but overall I don’t think it holds up that well and it’s hard not see its popularity as a music critic driven campaign that somehow catches a moment, but ultimately doesn’t endure as it is really a fairly middling album. It’s also striking how much it sounds like the Flaming Lips (which makes sense as it was made side by side with the Soft Bulletin), who in turn had the critical spotlight shone on them a few years later with Yoshimi, a far better record, and perhaps is the album the media wanted this to be. Anyway, while it has moments that transcend the prevalence of mid tempo sludge and winsomeness, and I don’t think it’s bad, I don’t find its overall tone of mawkish psychedelia particularly interesting either, so for me it sits somewhere around 2 or 3. In reality I don’t think I’ll listen again so I’ll go with a high 2. 🛣️🛣️ Playlist submission: Goddess on a Hiway
26/02/2026 I don't know what I expected from this, but it was definitely a disappointment and boring. I have never listened to these guys and I won't again. Spotify listeners: 211.7k
Really flowery tunes and singing. I was checked out by Endlessly where they had the brilliant idea to combine Silent Night with a spooky ooOOOoOoO ghost noise
It's weird, I've never listened to this before, but it's making me feel nostalgic for the late 90s. This falls somewhere on the spectrum between Spiritualized and Flaming Lips, closer to FL both in spirit and sound. Sort of forgettable.
A band i know but never listen to. Not sure aure going from Joni Mitchell straight to this was a good idea. Maybe i needed what ever the opposite of a palate cleanser is before jumping in. I take back what i said about not liking your upper register voice Joni. Come back. First song and this guy’s vocals are all over the shop. I thought it could be a deliverate thing but all other songs the same. Opus 40 is a good song. I think by then i’ve filtered out the vocals and just listen to the backing.
I loved the first song on the album. After that I found the singers voice to not match the beauty of the accompanying music which is a shame. He’s a good singer, but his voice is more fitting for folk music in my opinion.
This was okay. That's about it.
Flaming Lips wannabe
not into it
Sounds like making this album was a nice, cathartic experience for the band. I think most listeners will find it much less enjoyable.
this was really forgettable. just pretty and sad, somewhat orchestral, there's piano and then some weird high pitched buzzing sounds. i liked goddess on a hiway.
you know how Neil Young can almost sing, but not quite, but you don't really mind since his songs are so strong and his band is so great? that's the impression I get of Mercury Rev's lead singer, except the songs underneath are obnoxiously twee and extremely undercooked. bassist and producer Dave Fridmann was helping his friends in The Flaming Lips craft The Soft Bulletin at the same time as he was making Deserter's Songs with Mercury Rev, and unfortunately I think the Lips made the better LP by a long shot. with this MR album, it's another case of a kooky, unusual sounds papering over a bunch of snoozeworthy songs. they got Levon Helm on here to play a variation of Pachelbel's Canon, a song mostly played by literal children! the orchestral arrangements sound incredibly stiff, tacky and above all, fake; the nod to Brahms' Lullaby on "Endlessly" made me think that the band was actively trying to put me to sleep. never a good sign. strong 3/10.
Some neat things here, but I just didn't enjoy it.
That's funny...this is another band that I've heard the name of and their music is completely different from what I thought they were. Saint Etienne was the other one and they could swap their names and it'd make so much more sense to me. Anyways, this album really didn't do much for me. The first track reminded me of Destroyer's Poison Season record, which I enjoy, but the rest didn't really stand out.
I get the occasional whimsy of the flaming lips but I didn’t much like this - too whawww for me.
Lots of variety but nothing really connected.
It was ok ish.
Coincidentally, I just saw that Mercury Rev will be the tour opener for Afghan Whigs' 40th anniversary run of shows. Previously unfamiliar with their music, I was excited to hear them before I buy my tickets. It is not an unpleasant album, but for a band named Mercury Rev, it certainly takes its time finding the gas pedal. When it does, the result is too close to sounding like The Flaming Lips or Eels to feel entirely original. I think I've just learned that I just don't care much for Chamber Pop.
Interesting, I liked the singer's voice. Goddess on a Hiway was really the only song I liked, nothing else grabbed me. I can appreciate the experimental nature of the album but I will not be returning.
Unexceptional stuff. Whiny vocals. Plodding music.
I don’t even know
I had high hopes for the album after hearing the first song, but it rarely lived up to that. Too many interludes or songs that meander and don't go anywhere. 5/10
Wanna be pink floyd but bad
No private session used for Spotify. A little too mellow and timid for me. I liked the variation of instruments but I kept wanting the song to take off but that never happened. Not for me, thanks.
Nope. Not for me. Goddess on a highway is great. But that voice gets annoying after 5 songs. And the pseudo classical arty-farty soundscapes aren't for me. 2/5