The Essential Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes 1991–2006 cover

The Essential Mercury Rev: Stillness Breathes 1991–2006

Mercury Rev · 2006

149 min · 32 tracks · alternative rock

Ethereal melodies intertwine with lush instrumentation, creating a dreamy soundscape that captures the essence of alternative rock's evolution.

Why this album works

This compilation showcases Mercury Rev's significant contributions to the alternative rock scene, particularly during the late '90s and early 2000s. The track 'Goddess on a Hiway' became a staple in indie playlists and was influential in shaping the sound of dream pop and shoegaze music during that era, receiving critical acclaim across multiple publications.
Best for
dreamy soundscapes for introspection wave-like pacing with emotional shifts for reflective afternoon
Context
Released in 2006, this compilation features highlights from Mercury Rev's career spanning over a decade. By this time, the band had already established themselves with their breakthrough album 'Deserter's Songs' in 1998, which introduced their signature blend of atmospheric rock and surreal lyricism to a wider audience.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Diamonds 3:37
  • 2 Everlasting Arm 5:12
  • 3 In a Funny Way 4:00
  • 4 Goddess on a Hiway Standout 3:47
  • 5 Chasing a Bee 7:09
  • 6 The Dark Is Rising 4:51
  • 7 Black Forest (Lorelei) 4:44
  • 8 Holes Standout 5:55
  • 9 Car Wash Hair 4:44
  • 10 Empire State (Son House in Excelsis) 7:09
  • 11 Something for Joey 4:05
  • 12 Frittering 8:44
  • 13 A Drop in Time 3:47
  • 14 Opus 40 Standout 5:13

Disc 2

  • 1 I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier 3:29
  • 2 I Only Have Eyes for You 4:23
  • 3 Observatory Crest 4:24
  • 4 Streets of Laredo 2:42
  • 5 So There (As Read by Robert Creeley) 5:01
  • 6 Afraid 3:42
  • 7 He Was a Friend of Mine 3:37
  • 8 Delta Sub Bottleneck Stomp (Chemical Bros. remix) 6:23
  • 9 It's a Man's Man's Man's World 4:05
  • 10 Clamor 4:08
  • 11 Seagull 3:09
  • 12 Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds 3:39
  • 13 Coney Island Cyclone 2:46
  • 14 Silver Street 4:41
  • 15 Deadman (As Read by Alan Vega) 9:11
  • 16 Philadelphia 3:00
  • 17 Good Times Ahead 3:00
  • 18 Memory of a Free Festival 5:12

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata