One thing’s for sure, Mercury Rev have come a long way. Only yesterday, it seemed that they were the type of sonically playful band who gave names like ‘Bronx Cheer’ to their singles; these days, the Americans favour a much more sophisticated, accomplished sound. After the consummate excellence of the stellar Deserters Songs, few groups would envy Mercury Rev’s position. I mean, how do you follow up the cinematic perfection of such an album?

It’s the record everyone wants to hear, and fortunately, Jonathan Donahue & Co don’t baulk in the face of expectation. 2005 has barely begun, and already we have a strong contender for album of the year.

With Dave Fridmann again at the production helm, The Secret Migration boasts a wonderful texture. It may not have the creative chaos of ‘See You On The Other Side’, but it’s a more streamlined, skillful affair altogether. Several songs, like ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Black Forest (Lorelei)’ simply shimmer, and while they often threaten to erupt into tiny, intense explosions, they never quite break free from their sublime reverie. On the other hand, certain songs like ‘Across Yer Ocean’ and ‘Vermillion’ appear playful and poppy, seemingly influenced by Fridmann’s time working with The Flaming Lips.

With its orchestral overtones, The Secret Migration is certainly ambitious in scope, yet its planners are never cocky about their obvious mastery. Sometimes it appears as though Mercury Rev are acutely aware of their own mortality in the grand scheme of things. Like all great philosophers should be.