Mercury Rev: Peel Sessions

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).

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, the sequel to Deserter’s Songs, 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 (No. 11 UK, No. 17 US, Top 40 in Australia and in various European countries, etc.).

Echo & The Bunnymen have announced the release of The John Peel Sessions 1979-1983 via Rhino on September 6. The double album features 21 tracks recorded for John Peel’s Radio 1 show during the early years of the band’s existence.

If you like PJ Harvey, this is quite an essential collection of sessions she did with the late John Peel between 1991 and 2004…

Five CDs. This expanded edition of The Secret Migration is presented as a plush, hardbook containing original album lyrics, lots of visuals and new sleeve-notes by acclaimed author and journalist Barney Hoskyns. Originally issued in January 2005, The Secret Migration was the sixth album by Mercury Rev and followed All Is Dream (2001). In the UK, where the band were signed to V2, the album spawned two singles, 'In A Funny Way' and 'Across Yer Ocean'. Joining the original album are a second disc of B-sides and previously unissued outtakes, a third disc wholly devoted to hitherto unheard demos and a fourth disc of in-concert material culled from shows around the globe (again, previously unreleased). For good measure, Disc 5 revisits the band's subsequent soundtrack album, Hello Blackbird.

Through the 1970s, Peter Hammill was something of a regular on John Peel's BBC radio show, both solo – recording five sessions – and as a member of Van Der Graaf Generator (seven more). Many of these latter sessions have since seen release, either officially or otherwise; Hammill's solo sessions, on the other hand, have proven very difficult to pin down, with even this collection omitting his first two outings in July 1973 and March 1974…