The Secret Migration
by Mercury Rev
  • Record Label: V2
  • Release Date: May 17, 2005
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 2 out of 31

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  1. BørgeB
    Jan 28, 2005
    9
    Its great!
  2. jimiusedtolikethem
    Feb 2, 2005
    2
    I can't believe I used to like these guys. Why doesn't he just change the name of the band already. This is like high school drama students gone wild.
  3. Mickeym
    Feb 2, 2005
    7
    The sugar sweetly sick lyrics get a bit annoying in places - and sometimes you just want them to turn their amps up to 11 and rock out like they can- but this album is a definite grower and worth investigating.
  4. dMaRioN
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    This band is amazing!!
  5. Julian
    Jan 30, 2005
    10
    Ignore the silly cover design - this is wonderfully crafted epic psychedelic prog-pop not to be missed. It is exultant, as one critix says, so much so that it is hard to place it - it has little of the irony and emotional minimalism of much indie stuff, it has too many bursting highs and shifts of mood for pop, but has a dark undercurrent that separates it from other dreamy pschedelics. Ignore the silly cover design - this is wonderfully crafted epic psychedelic prog-pop not to be missed. It is exultant, as one critix says, so much so that it is hard to place it - it has little of the irony and emotional minimalism of much indie stuff, it has too many bursting highs and shifts of mood for pop, but has a dark undercurrent that separates it from other dreamy pschedelics. It also has a humility and lack of self-destructiveness to keep it out of the Jeff Buckley camp of epic rock. It is out of time altogether - whether this works for or against it, time will tell. I hope so, because this is beautiful and inspiring music.… Expand
  6. DouglasV
    Mar 1, 2005
    5
    Good if you already like them.
  7. MadDog
    Mar 21, 2005
    8
    Nice work, beautifully produced, but oddly familiar. I dont' just refer to earlier Rev works, but take a listen to the one of the best forgotten bands of the 1970's, Pavlov's Dog.
  8. GD
    Apr 8, 2005
    7
    I still think they sound like Supertramp.
  9. BenB
    Feb 21, 2005
    1
    Most disappointing album they have released to date.
  10. SnootyG
    Feb 2, 2005
    9
    Lush, melodic and a real grower. Mercury Rev hit the harmony button and achieve success. If you like entering worlds of swirling orchestrated tunes then be ready to drown in the perfect lushness of this. Mmmmmmmm really lush!
  11. RyanC
    Feb 22, 2005
    4
    Self indulgent, pretty but spineless. What happened to the band who constantly progress? Pleasant, but sadly adult contemporary. Just buy Boces instead
  12. AdamH
    Feb 26, 2005
    6
    I love MR -- think everything they've created in the studio had been excellent: emotional, cerebral, visionary, gorgeous. I've had this album for a couple of weeks, and it's a pleasant listen, but you shouldn't buy it expecting the kind of religous experience that can be had listening any of MR's other studio albums. You should still but it, though: lots of good I love MR -- think everything they've created in the studio had been excellent: emotional, cerebral, visionary, gorgeous. I've had this album for a couple of weeks, and it's a pleasant listen, but you shouldn't buy it expecting the kind of religous experience that can be had listening any of MR's other studio albums. You should still but it, though: lots of good melodies; just nothing great and nothing surprising.… Expand
  13. MitchM
    Feb 7, 2005
    9
    great follow-up to previous albums. Not all songs are classics but many are up there with their best.
  14. [Anonymous]
    Mar 11, 2005
    10
    Ignore any negative reviews of this album. 'The Secret Migration' more than matches the beauty of 'Deserter's Songs' and 'All Is Dream'. Rather than resting on their laurels and standing still creatively (which some clueless reviewers have incorrectly suggested) it is in fact a significant progression from their past work and a truly magical album that Ignore any negative reviews of this album. 'The Secret Migration' more than matches the beauty of 'Deserter's Songs' and 'All Is Dream'. Rather than resting on their laurels and standing still creatively (which some clueless reviewers have incorrectly suggested) it is in fact a significant progression from their past work and a truly magical album that improves with every listen.… Expand
  15. Nick
    Mar 24, 2005
    5
    disappointing and predictable, not a patch on Deserter's, no discernibly great lyrics, no screeching bowed saw or powerful guitars, dull....
  16. sachinp
    Jul 15, 2005
    10
    one of the best albums of all time.
  17. matta
    Dec 1, 2005
    6
    Sachin P, c'mon. Even if this album was exceptional and one of the year's best (which is isn't by a long shot) it still wouldn't be one of the greatest albums ever made. Blood on the Tracks, Exile on Main St. , The White Album, Secret Migration.......see, it doesn't work. Needless to say, disappointing album, definitely their weakest to date. The 75 really is Sachin P, c'mon. Even if this album was exceptional and one of the year's best (which is isn't by a long shot) it still wouldn't be one of the greatest albums ever made. Blood on the Tracks, Exile on Main St. , The White Album, Secret Migration.......see, it doesn't work. Needless to say, disappointing album, definitely their weakest to date. The 75 really is generous and it is that high probably just because this is a Mercury Rev cd and so the critics give it the benefit of the doubt. Super Furry Animals, Go-betweens, and especially Sleater Kinney also got that special treatement this year with all of them turning in very mediocre at best outings.… Expand
  18. lunaluna
    Oct 29, 2006
    5
    Sad to give it a 5. I had great expectations for this album after their superior musical succes with Deserter's Song's and underpraised All is Dream but after listening to what their music came to, i was totally disappointed.The quality of this album is way below than maybe even anything the band has done so far.Just a few songs were bearable while being aware of what actually Sad to give it a 5. I had great expectations for this album after their superior musical succes with Deserter's Song's and underpraised All is Dream but after listening to what their music came to, i was totally disappointed.The quality of this album is way below than maybe even anything the band has done so far.Just a few songs were bearable while being aware of what actually the band could have serve.Just an ordinary album.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Mojo
    90
    Frankly, you could get drunk just on the minutiae here. [Feb 2005, p.92]
  2. Q Magazine
    70
    The Secret Migration shows a group in complete control of their cosmic idiom, familiar by now yet still seductive. [Jan 2005, p.120]
  3. Uncut
    90
    Mercury Rev's power is undiminished. While never resorting to crude hooks, they build melodies to peaks of graceful intensity. [Album of the Month, Jan 2005, p.114]
See all critic reviews »