Mercury Rev – All Is Dream (2xLP, 25th Anniversary)

‘All Is Dream’ remains Mercury Rev’s highest charting album in the UK to date (and second highest in the US). Formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1989, Mercury Rev quickly grew to become leading figures in left field alternative rock. Earlier albums veered towards experimental, off-kilter psychedelia but by the end of the decade, the band had developed their own brand of serene, piano-based Americana with the acclaimed, best- selling LP ‘Deserter’s Songs’ (1998).

‘All Is Dream’ was originally released on V2 in 2001 in August (Europe) and September (North America) and boasted a more expansive, cinematic production than its predecessor (again courtesy of ex-member Dave Fridmann, by this time arguably the most in-demand producer in alternative US Rock). The record was warmly received by critics and fans alike, enjoying higher chart positions than its predecessor (#11 UK, #17 US, Top 40 in Australia and in various European countries).

Reviews

"Perhaps the most beautiful Track is 'Spiders And Flies', but since the whole Album comes across as very homogeneous, this song is song is just the tip of the iceberg that such a masterpiece has now received Appreciation in the form of a 4-CD hardback Edition with additional bonus material is only fair." (Good Times, December 2019/January 2020)