ALL IS DREAM

MERCURY REV have been experimenting with pop culture for some time now and "All Is Dream" is no exception with their cascading hypnotic rhythms and powerful song delivery. Without a question these guys transcend pop music (although they are quite popular among the kiddies these days). Even though these guys are a modern pop outfit I just love in sharp contrast their liberal use of the mellotron throughout. Hard to peg these guys down but I would say a mix of RADIOHEAD and TRAVIS. This is a band that can use a bowed saw to transcend moments of despair, and lead the listener to a delicately sanguine resting place, where guitars swirl and soar with a rainbow blast of moonlit images. It can be a powerfully majestic experience, as it is in "Chains" or " Little Rhymes" which add some lovely instrumentation and impactful lyrics. Aside from mellotron, MERCURY REV also add Hammond organ, cello, violins, violas, french horn, flute and full orchestration. An excellent album and surprisingly quite progressive. Best listened to with a bit of volume behind it for maximum experience.