Mercury Rev are back with their extraordinary new album on Co-Op / V2, 'Snowflake Midnight', which is as thrilling as their other milestone releases, specifically their 1991 sprawling avant-psych Dada-rock debut 'Yerself Is Steam', and their 1998 masterpiece 'Deserter's Songs', which signalled their rebirth as purveyors of a cosmic brand of the popular American songbook. 'Snowflake Midnight', given its inject of both vintage and present-day electronics, is less a rebirth than a reboot; but it sounds like a brand new Mercury Rev. Few bands can reinvent themselves even the once, but 'Snowflake Midnight' is the sound of lightning striking again. Mercury Rev - which remains the triangular core of Jonathan Donahue, Grasshopper and Jeff Mercel - admit they knew what was needed, though of course they didn't know how to get there until they'd done it. Just one listen to the multi-layered beauty of 'Snowflake Midnight' is enough to confirm that the Rev's pioneering spirit continues to thrive.