Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 25, 2026

The Secret Migration

The Secret Migration is the sixth album by the alternative rock band Mercury Rev, released on January 24, 2005 in the UK. A limited edition of the American release of the album featured special packaging and included a bonus disc featuring b-sides, rarities, and live tracks.

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The Secret Migration
Studio album by
Mercury Rev
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2005
RecordedSix Hours Studios, Tarbox Observatory
GenreAlternative rock
Length44:28
LabelV2 Records
ProducersDave Fridmann, Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev chronology
All Is Dream
(2001) 		The Secret Migration
(2005) 		Snowflake Midnight
(2008)
Singles from The Secret Migration
  1. "In A Funny Way"
    Released: 17 January 2005
  2. "Across Yer Ocean"
    Released: 21 March 2005
  3. "Secret for a Song"
    Released: June 2005 (Promo)

The Secret Migration is the sixth album by the alternative rock band Mercury Rev, released on January 24, 2005 in the UK (and a day later in the US). A limited edition of the American release of the album featured special packaging and included a bonus disc featuring b-sides, rarities, and live tracks.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic76/1001
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarHalf star2
Entertainment WeeklyB−3
The GuardianStarStarStarStar4
Los Angeles TimesStarStarStar5
MojoStarStarStarStar6
NME6/107
Pitchfork5.5/108
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star9
SpinB+10
UncutStarStarStarStar11

The Secret Migration received mixed reviews from the majority of critics.

Track listing

All songs written by Mercury Rev.

  1. "Secret for a Song" – 4:01
  2. "Across Yer Ocean" – 3:20
  3. "Diamonds" – 3:51
  4. "Black Forest (Lorelei)" – 4:46
  5. "Vermillion" – 4:07
  6. "In the Wilderness" – 2:32
  7. "In a Funny Way" – 4:02
  8. "My Love" – 4:14
  9. "Moving On" – 1:20
  10. "The Climbing Rose" – 3:19
  11. "Arise" – 3:49
  12. "First-Time Mother's Joy (Flying)" – 3:31
  13. "Down Poured the Heavens" – 1:36

American limited edition bonus disc

  1. "The Black Swan" – 4:13
  2. "My Love" (Live) – 4:04
  3. "Afraid" – 3:42
  4. "Black Forest (Lorelei)" (Live) – 4:44
  5. "Observatory Crest" – 3:45
  6. "Streets of Laredo" – 2:43
  7. "Diamonds" (Live) – 3:29
  8. "Mirror for a Bell" – 3:11

Personnel

Mercury Rev
Additional musicians
  • Mary Gavazzi Fridmann
  • Rich Robinson
  • Adam Peters
  • Adam Widoff

Charts

Chart performance for The Secret Migration
Chart (2005) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)12 66
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)13 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)14 48
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)15 38
French Albums (SNEP)16 30
Italian Albums (FIMI)17 44
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)18 27
UK Albums (Official Charts)19 16
References

References

  1. "The Secret Migration by Mercury Rev Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  2. Phares, Heather. "The Secret Migration – Mercury Rev". AllMusic. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  3. Chen, Steven (May 20, 2005). "Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration". Entertainment Weekly. No. 820. p. 75.
  4. Petridis, Alexis (January 14, 2005). "Mercury Rev, The Secret Migration". The Guardian. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  5. Appleford, Steve (May 22, 2005). "Understated songs raise the mercury". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  6. Fricke, David (February 2005). "Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration". Mojo. No. 135. p. 92.
  7. "Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration". NME. January 22, 2005. p. 51.
  8. Macia, Peter (January 2, 2005). "Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  9. Walters, Barry (May 19, 2005). "Mercury Rev: The Secret Migration". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  10. Aaron, Charles; Caramanica, Jon; Catucci, Nick; Dolan, Jon; Gross, Joe; Maerz, Melissa; Matos, Michaelangelo (June 2005). "Breakdown". Spin. Vol. 21, no. 6. p. 108. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  11. Hoskyns, Barney (January 2005). "Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration". Uncut. No. 92. p. 114. Archived from the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  12. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 185.
  13. "Ultratop.be – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  14. "Ultratop.be – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  15. "Danishcharts.dk – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  16. "Lescharts.com – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  17. "Italiancharts.com – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  18. "Norwegiancharts.com – Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  19. "Official Albums Chart on 30/1/2005 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2022.