The Secret Migration

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Originally issued in January 2005, ‘The Secret Migration’ was the sixth album by Mercury Rev.

In the UK, where the band were signed to V2, the album spawned two singles, ‘In A Funny Way’ and ‘Across Yer Ocean’.

Back in 2020, Cherry Red unveiled a deluxe 5CD edition of this sometimes overlooked album, compiled and co-ordinated in conjunction with Mercury Rev’s twin lynchpins, Jonathan Donaghue and Sean ‘Grasshopper’ Mackowiak.

Four years on, ‘The Secret Migration’ is treated to its first-ever reissue on vinyl – and with the added bonus of a second disc. Joining the original album are various B-sides and originally unissued out-takes.

Among the bonus are cover versions of Bobby Charles’ Bearsville gem ‘Tennessee Blues’; ‘Afraid’, originally by Chicago rock band Dovetail Joint; two Paul Westerberg songs, The Replacements’ ‘Androgynous’ and his solo effort ‘Good Day’; Daniel Johnston’s ‘Blue Clouds’; and ‘I Never Had It So Good’ by Paul Williams.

Formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1989, MERCURY REV quick 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).

Mercury Rev are currently active with forthcoming shows over the coming months around a brand new studio album.

Tracklist

DISC ONE

SIDE 1

1.  Secret For A Song

2.  Across Yer Ocean

3.  Diamonds

4.  Black Forest (Lorelei)

5.  Vermillion

6.  In The Wilderness

SIDE 2

1.  In A Funny Way

2.  My Love

3.  Moving On

4.  The Climbing Rose

5.  Arise

6.  First-Time Mother's Joy (Flying)

7.  Down Poured The Heavens

DISC TWO

SIDE 3

1.  Tennessee Blues (featuring Bonnie Anthony)

2.  Afraid

3.  Seagull

4.  Androgynous

5.  Mirror For A Bell

6.  Good Times Ahead

7.  I Never Had It So Good (featuring Bonnie Anthony)

SIDE 4

1.  Blue Clouds

2.  Late Night Request

3.  A Season of Poussin

4.  Good Day

5.  Look At Brutis With His Knife