The Light in You
by Mercury Rev
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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  1. Muzmarinator
    Oct 5, 2015
    8
    its been a long wait between albums for MR. After the more experimental Snowflake Midnight some seven years ago, and the absence of Dave Fridmann twiddling the knobs, we might expect big changes to the sound in this installment. Well there is and there isn't. In some ways this record is even more lush than its predecessors. For the first half at least its no big departure. Dreamy,its been a long wait between albums for MR. After the more experimental Snowflake Midnight some seven years ago, and the absence of Dave Fridmann twiddling the knobs, we might expect big changes to the sound in this installment. Well there is and there isn't. In some ways this record is even more lush than its predecessors. For the first half at least its no big departure. Dreamy, exquisitely layered and detailed, the songs float around you. And there are some great tracks. On the second side though (or at least much of it), Mercury Rev become rock revivalists. Its an interesting move but it doesn't entirely work. The lyrics somehow sound more twee than Jonathan's usual mystical musings. Still, the record in all is a grower (like more mercury Rev records) and perhaps northern soul styled Mercury Rev will also be a grower. Intriguing.… Expand
  2. captaincrabface
    Oct 3, 2015
    8
    The Light in You is a great album and for me there best album since All is Dream. It's heartfelt pop music that doesn't sound like anyone else. The record is a lot more interesting than their last few. It embraces styles they haven't tried before, and that you wouldn't expect from the Rev, there's a soul stomper, stax horns, a bluesy love song, songs that could almost be easy listeningThe Light in You is a great album and for me there best album since All is Dream. It's heartfelt pop music that doesn't sound like anyone else. The record is a lot more interesting than their last few. It embraces styles they haven't tried before, and that you wouldn't expect from the Rev, there's a soul stomper, stax horns, a bluesy love song, songs that could almost be easy listening , and a 70's influenced groove along with the symphonic psychedelia they do so well. Rainy Day Record and Central Park West are two of the best songs I've heard in a long time.

    This is an album that unashamedly references and celebrates a wide variety of music. It's not necessarily cool and not trying to be. It's a long way from Boces and their early records and if you don''t like later Rev this probably won't change your mind.

    The closer Rainy Day record is an anthemic celebration music and that feeling you get once in a while when you hear a great record and discover the power of music again -and the music matches the words. I have a big smile on my face everytime I listen to it.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. musicOMH.com
    Oct 12, 2015
    70
    Whilst nothing on The Light Of You is quite as sumptuous or ornate as the best moments on Deserter’s Songs, it does demonstrate that Mercury Rev are a band still able to engage the senses.
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 5, 2015
    60
    The delicate songs quickly exposing the thin line between pretty and cloying. However, salvation arrives with the euphoric chorus of Are You Ready?, swiftly followed by Sunflower’s easygoing pop charms.
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  3. AllMusic
    Oct 2, 2015
    80
    As The Light in You's title implies, Mercury Rev are seeking life's brightest moments, and they find them--along with some of their most satisfying music in many years.
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