Various Artists - Yerself Is Steam (CD)

While somewhat more based in the feel and forms of "rock" than Mercury Rev's subsequent releases, the band's 1992 debut is still nothing less than a gem of late-20th century psychedelic pop innovation. The kooky, expansive opener, "Chasing A Bee", which infuses an ironic, slow motion dream narrative with excruciatingly beautiful squalls of guitar noise, gives voice to the band's epic, utterly unique sonic project. What follows is a breakneck visitation of punk aggression, folk/pop melodicism, VU-inspired drone explorations, quirky cartoon nightmares ("Blue and Black" sounds like Syd Barrett on a particularly bad day) and shimmering, never-ending waves of echo and chorus-drenched guitars, feedback and generally blissful noise designed to elevate brains. YERSELF IS STEAM is the first in Mercury Rev's astonishingly impressive string of records, and merits the attention of both newcomers and fans of the group's later work.