Mercury Rev @ The Junction, Cambridge
There's an insular magic about Mercury Rev tonight, as if this gig is
nothing more than a garage rehearsal and there's not really several
hundred people present. Set opener, Neil Young's "Cortez" determines
the pattern for the rest of the night, the band face inwards, feeding
off one another and generating an immense and sweeping
intensity. Jonathan Donahue darts to the mic to deliver a perfect
facsimile of Young's alto croak before turning back inside, immersing
himself in the flowing chords and surging energy. It's almost painful
when the song stops and we fast-forward several centuries, shattered
but exhilarated by the sheer rush. Reference points duly noted, the
Rev proceed through a set dominated by the new LP "Deserter's songs"
which, although beautiful and beautifully constructed panoramic pop,
doesn't manage to reach the opening heights until an initially lumpen
version of the classic "Carwash hair" evolves into an elongated
workout, the Spiritualised comparisons become transparent and a higher
force descends over stage. Were they more emotive folks, there'd
surely be six dervishes up there but instead the band draw themselves
further in and suck us with them, a whirlpool of slash and drone
chordage, tiny melody fragments and an overwhelming sense of
majesty. Exhausting and disorientating, seeing Mercury Rev live is
like being dragged through a hedge backwards. Backwards.
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