Mercury Rev - All is Dream
by Keith How
published: 24 / 12 / 2019
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
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:-
Also In ReView
Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield (2019)
Andreas Dorau (2022)
Andrew Gold (2023)
Anthony Moore (2022)
Bark Psychosis (2018)
Beatles (2023)
Bert Jansch (2020)
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)
Doug Dillard Expedition (2024)
Earthworks (2020)
Flamin Groovies (2015)
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 |
|
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall |
|
| 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 |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBarrie Barlow - Interview
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Allan Clarke - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart