"The Secret Migration" is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band, Mercury Rev. Released in 2005, it marks another departure for the band as they continue their journey beyond the dark, dreamy pop of their previous albums towards a lighter, brighter identity. The album is suffused with lush, romantic sounds that convey a late-summer feeling of untamed nature and longing.
Throughout, a sense of mysticism pervades the album, drawing on the storied landscapes of America with frequent references to mountains, forests, and rivers. The members of Mercury Rev, Jonathan Donahue, Grasshopper, and Jeff Mercel collaborated with Tony Visconti, a record producer with a notable string of successful projects, on this album.
Critically, "The Secret Migration" received mixed reviews. Some lauded the dreamy landscapes the band crafted, while others thought their previous darker tones were more substantial. Nonetheless, the album marked an important phase in the band's creative evolution.
