Mercury Rev

Nobody expected Mercury Rev to make a brilliant record in 1998, but that's what happened. Just as odd and inventive as their earlier albums, this one takes the baroque route, tossing in Theremin, a string section and plenty of Jonathan Donahue's twisted, mournful imagery. The result is a spacious slice of American psychedelia.

Reluctant to elevate Radiohead into a first cause, I blamed their pompous whisper first on arena-rock, then classical music. But in fact it's something newer: the album that became inevitable as soon as rock and rollers began allowing as how, damn it, they really liked Ennio Morricone. Say hello to--and not for the last time, God help us--soundtrack-rock. Just don't ask me what it's the soundtrack to. (Grade - C+)