Mercury Rev - All is Dream
by Keith How
published: 24 / 12 / 2019
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intro
In our 'Re: View' section. in which our writers reflect on albums from the past, Keith How finds that a timely sumptuous four CD celebration of Mercury Rev’s 'All is Dream'from 2001 presented with demos, live materials and unreleased material proves to be a relevant and fascinating listen.
'Deserter's Songs' was undoubtedly a masterpiece. 'All is Dream', its follow-up, passed me by, however. This four-disc retrospective release from Cherry Red is the perfect way to reassess it. An album that, in the wake of its predecessor, may not have had the acclaim it deserves. When the opening bars of 'The Dark is Rising' pour out of the speakers, it is evident that '...Dream' is the perfect move after 'Deserter's Songs'. The album's cinematic soundscape and restrained, minimal production encapsulates the listener in its beautifully constructed dream world. Full of romanticism and effortless orchestral landscapes, 'All is Dream' lyrically plays with your emotions and worms its way into your consciousness. Often, Grasshopper's guitar catches that flavour of melancholy like early morning mist reflects sunlight. 'Lincoln's Eyes' is an art-rock triumph while 'Chains' floats like a dream. Returning to 'All is Dream' is akin to visiting an exhibition of familiar artworks painted by an old friend. Like a tapestry of magical delights is an absolute joy to listen to. There are more delights to be had from the rest of the box set. A disc full of B sides outtakes and demos accompany the album. Two lovely classical instrumentals from Peel Sessions are a highlight. A cover of The Beatles' 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' is a real joy. A disc of live recordings on disc three completes the package. It reveals the band at full power from this period. 'The Black Sessions' on the fourth disc, recorded in Paris, is an unreleased collectors item. Add in three badges, artwork and prints presented in a hardcover book this "deluxe" edition is a fans' dream. The 'All is Dream' box set is released on Cherry Red on November 29th 2019.
Track Listing:-
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Bert Jansch (2019)
Beth Orton (2014)
Big Eyes Family (2021)
Billy Idol (2018)
Bitter Springs (2021)
Blind Mr Jones (2015)
Blondie (2022)
Blue Nile (2014)
Bodines (2023)
Boyracer (2023)
Breathless (2016)
Brinsley Schwarz (2017)
Cardiacs (2014)
Chesterfields (2025)
Chvrches (2014)
David Bowie (2022)
David Gray (2020)
Death and Vanilla (2016)
Donald Fagen (2021)
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Flaming Stars (2024)
George Harrison (2024)
Giant Sand (2020)
Giant Sand (2018)
Gomez (2018)
Gong (2015)
Grace Jones (2016)
Grace Jones (2014)
Graham Day and the Forefathers (2019)
Hawks (2021)
Hawkwind (2022)
Hot Pepper (2018)
Ian A. Anderson (2021)
Ian Dury (2021)
Iron Butterfly (2014)
Jesse Garon and The Desperadoes (2025)
John Cooper Clarke (2016)
Joni Mitchell (2021)
Keith Richards (2022)
Lapre (2020)
Lemonheads (2022)
Loft (2025)
Loft (2021)
Madness (2014)
Madonna (2024)
McCarthy (2015)
Miscellaneous (2020)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Monochrome Set (2015)
Mothmen (2015)
Motorpsycho (2015)
New Leaf (2022)
New Musik (2023)
One Thousand Violins (2023)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2015)
Orchids (2023)
Party Day (2021)
Pele (2017)
Phil Alvin (2015)
Phil Ochs (2016)
Primitives (2015)
Prolapse (2022)
Roger Mcguinn (2018)
Rubik (2021)
Saloon (2025)
Sorrow (2018)
T. Rex (2023)
Television Personalities (2018)
Terry Allen (2016)
Thin Lizzy (2023)
Townes Van Zandt (2015)
Trashmen (2020)
Ty Segall (2022)
UB40 (2015)
Various (2022)
Various (2022)
VIPS (2020)
Wolfhounds (2015)
Zz Top (2018)
Band Links:-
http://www.mercuryrev.com/https://www.facebook.com/MercuryRev
https://twitter.com/mercuryrevvd
Play in YouTube:-
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
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Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall |
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| It’s so strange now to hear contemporary music being spoken of with any real reverence. Everything is very pop, very ironic. Disco is only acceptable now because of the interplay of cultural and chronological systems at work and, y’know, there’s always Th |
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