Mercury Rev – ‘The Light In You’

The Light In You is MERCURY REV‘s ninth studio album and the New York five piece prove theirs a lot of life left in their sound. From their first record released in 1991, the Americans have delivered strong records throughout the years. The Light In You, their first record to be released on Bella Union, is set of follow this trend with biblical imagery and heartbreaking lyrics. Are Your Ready?, the first single released, is a trip hop inspired masterpiece. Reminiscent of COCTEAU TWINS with similarly forlorn vocals but from a male gaze. The opening choral lyrics melt into masculine vocals which creates an interesting musical divide. A sweet track with an underlying gothic theme, not only a hit from this record but from the bands whole career.

This defining record is an encapsulation of the bands musical journey. It showcases the band’s talents through many genres including 1950s rockabilly with Sunflower. Sounding like an 1960s car chase soundtrack, it’s a fast paced wave of melodies. . Opening to a high pitched scream before gaining tempo with fast drumming, it’s a roller coaster in the middle of the record. It lifts the previous gothic songs into an a pop utopia. Lyrically, The Light In You is incredible as always, lyrics such ‘if I was lost/I’d lose myself in you’ in a warped romantic tale Moth Light define the poetic nature of MERCURY REV‘s sound. The record is gothic and biblical with long forlorn instrumentals. Amelie has serenity juxtaposed with a desperation. It is the calm and the storm in one musical masterpiece. ‘I’ll break the habit/unlock the door’ the omnipresent voice of a desperate man with no audience.

The entire record is not just a smorgasbord of genres but an accumulation of all  previous records. It is the record of a band who have grown up and influenced others and still manage to contain their artistic ventures into a succinct album. It’s a journey of genres, of tales and of vocal styles. If you hear one album this week, make it is one. After tours with many great bands including SWANS, MERCURY REV are constantly changing and growing as a band, with each new record comes a whole load of new styles. It would be too easy to label an album as epic as this as a ‘coming-of-age’ record but it isn’t, it’s a continuation of artistic talent. Each song is a variety of genres and musical skills. Each song plays with the emotions in a unique way. It isn’t just a record, it’s a build up of nine albums of expertise. MERCURY REV will always be the ones to watch and this record proves why. Biblical, gothic and a definition of all the genres.

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