Emotionally confused.
They sure have changed since the halcyon days of swirling, catchy indie-rock numbers and if you were to hear this new Mercury Rev album without being told what it was you would be forgiven for thinking that this was a remix record. This new (and incredibly the band’s seventh) album is a dreamy electro opera of sorts with dance beats cutting through the vocals and extended instrumental sections. Interestingly the album, entitled “Snowflake Midnight”, was released the same day as a second album by them, “Strange Attraction” which is a download only release; however this review will concentrate only on the former.
“Snowflake Midnight” plays like the soundtrack to a dystopian fairy tale, like the dark side of “Legend” or “Labyrinth” and with more than a touch of the epic soundscapes of “Blade Runner” about it. The record exudes an otherworldly, dreamlike quality; with bells chiming, minor key strings and quiet-loud tunes that fade in and out with distorted vocals just at the edge of everything. While you might often feel hypnotised by the album, the shadowy, electro quality can sometimes feel a little too vague and floats around you rather than approaching you head on. Occasionally it can seem like Radiohead may have been an influence on the more jagged, erratic tracks like the eight minute ‘Dream of a young girl as a flower’ which meanders through many changes of pace but keeps hold of the plaintive, melancholy feel and ethereal quality throughout.
The whole album is more of a mood piece than a sit down and listen with your mates record, very atmospheric and so ambient at times that it brings to mind the early KLF albums “Chill Out” and “Space”, with loops and samples flitting in and out, but obviously the main difference here being Jonathan Donahue’s vocal input. The most interesting thing about the record is the mood it creates, which of course must have been the intention, as there are no actual melodies to speak of. It is approached as an experimental journey; lovely moments collide with strange sounds and discordant chords, provoking sometimes soothing and gentle and then anxious and tense states of emotion.
An interesting record that is sure to provoke extreme reactions from fans and newcomers alike.