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Deserter's Songs

~ Mercury Rev

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Product details

Audio CD (29 Sep 1998)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: V2 International
ASIN: B00000BKI4
Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 326,586 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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1. Holes

2. Tonite It Shows

3. Endlessly

4. I Collect Coins

5. Opus 40

6. Hudson Line

7. Happy End (The Drunk Room)

8. Goddess on a Hiway

9. Funny Bird

10. Pick up If You're There

11. Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

That Mercury Rev avoided a messy, chemically-assisted burnout in the middle of the 1990s is remarkable; that they should return in 1998 with an album as fine as Deserter's Songs is almost unfeasible. But working by the old adage that "what does not kill us makes us stronger", Deserter's Songs is an album of unparalleled scope. Drawing on the legacy of America's pioneers and the nascent scenes of folk-rock and psychedelia, Mercury Rev have formed a living, breathing piece of heritage. "Holes" is dizzied in America's vast scope, and warmed by woodwind instruments, mellotrons and a Wurlitzer organ. It sounds like a beautiful climax, but it's only the first song, and there's better to come, what with the weathered "Goddess On A Hiway" and "Opus 40". Deserter's Songs is one of the essential American albums at the end of the 1990s. It's hard to see that they--or anyone--can top it. --Louis Pattison

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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most important band of the decade!, 5 Oct 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Deserter's Songs (Audio CD)

This is possibly the most important band of the decade and thensome, they come from New York and surrounding areas. They began in a front room playing guitars to a wild life program about rivers, I know you cant believe it either but its true. They started with David Fridmann mostly on vocals with Jonathan Donahue on backup vocals Dave brought the more phycadelic side of Mercury Rev out while Jonathan aimed for a more commercial angle. Dave soon departed and Jonathan took over and they have gone from obscurity to absolute geniuses. I have to say it I personally think this is the best album of 1998/1999. Deserter's Songs is the predecessor of 'See You On The Other Side' this is the most refreshing album you will hear, Jonathan is a lyrical master with such words as 'Like a wave along the coast I feel the highs and the lows'. The opening song for the album is 'Holes' which shows Jonathan is in the right place and able to pull of playing guitar as well as singing. Singles of this album are 'Goddess on a Hiway, Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp and Opus 40'. All you need to know is this is one of the most important albums of all time, if this was on a scoring system they would get 20 out of 10. This band deserves your attention I rest my case.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece!, 3 Sep 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Deserter's Songs (Audio CD)

"What was all that about?"was my first reaction when I heard this album, I couldn't believe how hyped it was.But as experience has taught me before the best albums are the ones you initially hate so I listened a few more times still not really getting it,but on the umpteenth listen I started to notice it's charms no longer was the lead singers voice annoying and with each subsequent listen it get's better and better and I even like the odd incidental tracks which litter the album, this now ranks alongside OK computer and Moon Safari as one of my favourite albums.It also has the strangest hidden track i've ever heard at the end and I love that too.Play this one full blast with the window open and look at the bewildered faces on people walking past.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eerie mix of Disney sounds and black-hearted America, 7 Feb 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Deserter's Songs (Audio CD)

This is an album that you hear and say "they can't be serious, can they?" as you listen to the singer's strangely cartoon like voice and impossibly twee mellotrons and ultra high strings. It's only when you listen to the complex orchestrations that you begin to realise this band is indeed serious. "Deserters Songs" sounds like candy but tastes like something darker, giving us glimpses of an american landscape full of despair, humour and hope. It's an emotional ride, and has the feeling of albums like OK Computer and Achtung Baby, that drift along and leave hundreds of layers of meaning, saying far more than they suggest but never appearing to be pretentiously profound. It even ends with a good ol' downhome footbanger in Delta Blues Stomp, that lifts the spirit and leaves you with a reflective, exciting and technically superb album.

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› See all 23 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty much the happiest album in the world.
So yeah, this is pretty much the happiest album in the whole world. Any fan of the Flaming Lips, or the Polyphonic Spree or anything in that area will definitely love this.

Published 20 days ago by C. Hay

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Record
It can suit any mood, any time of day, any age group, etc. This really is one of best records of the past 20 years. No doubt about it. Read more

Published on 13 Dec 2007 by G. Davies

5.0 out of 5 stars There's No Running Away From This
Not sure how you explain this CD to people not familiar with Mercury Rev. Brilliant, Innovative, Defined, Inspirational, Refreshing............ Read more

Published on 17 Aug 2007 by Music Man

5.0 out of 5 stars How does that ol' song go.....
Arrived hear via The Flaming Lips & now I don't wish to desert this box of delights for some time.... Read more

Published on 28 Feb 2007 by There'd be plenty of stars And...

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
It takes a while to get used to the voice, but when you do it takes you places. I equate MR songs with a favourite book, every time you go back to them you enjoy them and you find... Read more

Published on 18 Aug 2006 by Georgi

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant change
It is nice to find that there are people making music out there which isn't entirely based upon post-punk cranked up guitars. Read more

Published on 18 July 2006 by Robert O. Davidson

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a dream!
Yep, Mercury Rev are one of those bands for the small hours, perfectly capturing that hazy state inbetween conciousness and sleep. Read more

Published on 15 Dec 2005 by Elliot Davies

5.0 out of 5 stars a stonewall classic from 1998...
I considered it my duty to write a review of this album in order to boost its overall star rating which is low due to some clueless numpties slagging it off. Read more

Published on 6 Jan 2005 by dimorphodon

1.0 out of 5 stars Buy some old Supertramp instead...
This is a sad place for a once great and original band to end up. 'See You On The Other Side' hinted at the bad things to come, but managed to maintain a modicum of dignity. Read more

Published on 3 Jun 2004 by N. Barnden

1.0 out of 5 stars The king is in the altogether.....................
This is simply the worst album I have ever purchased (on the recommendation of an erstwhile friend who told me that I would love it!).
Where do I start? Read more

Published on 8 Aug 2002

› See all 23 customer reviews...

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