"I'm on the mezzanine floor, never been here before...but I'll get to heaven," sings Martin Smith on the opening track of the long-anticipated Mezzamorphis, the band's third collection of all-new songs.
While Martin readily admits that this is an album exploring musical territories which the band has never visited before, the problem is that most listeners have been here before. Delirious may have abandoned the obvious U2 references on past albums, but they've traded it in for an almost note for note impression of Radiohead-gone-Christian. As far as the imitation goes, they've got the symphonic and melodious parts of Radiohead down pat. There are even places where vocalist Martin Smith does his very best Thom Yorke inflections and falsetto to an absolute tee. Bravo! Now, won't it be refreshing to hear what the "real" Delirious actually sounds like?
Sadly, we never really get that chance. The song "Follow" even sounds like a rip-off of another Delirious song, "All I Want Is You", which, granted, is sort of a rip-off of U2's song "All I Want Is You" in the first place, but either way it's starting to sound as if this band has run out of ideas. Perhaps that's why the disc closes with a wild remix version of their previous hit "Deeper" from the King of Fools album? The sad thing is, it's the most exciting song on the album.
When it comes to writing worship songs for a new generation, however, the band really shines. Perhaps this is their true calling in life? At any rate, the songs "Kiss Your Feet," "Jesus Blood," and "Beautiful Sun" will probably be some of the first to show up in mid-week Gen X worship services across the fruited plain. As far as rockers go, the songs "Bliss," "See the Star," and "Metamorphis" will probably heat up the modern rock charts for the remainder of the millennium.
Even with all of these weaknesses, the band has certainly endeared itself to hundreds of thousands of fans in this country, (about 250,000 to be exact), so it's nearly a sure-fire mega-selling album we're criticizing here. Most real fans of this band won't really care that there's nothing new under the jewel box lid. They're just going to be grateful for more songs from the band whose publicity claims them to be "the future of worship music."
Mezzamorphis is a great album for the ravenous fan of Delirious brand of alterna-worship, but it's just not a great album in itself.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #79Reviewed by John DiBiaseIn 1996, with the release of Eric Champion's album, Transformation, the advertisement taglines were always "Forget What You Know." Well, with 1999's new June release of deliriou5?'s Mezzamorphis, ironically, the same tagline could apply. So, basically... forget what you know. 1998 saw a tremendous stage entry for this British-based band. You couldn't be at Creation without seeing something with…ReAL Magazine 1999Reviewed by Timothy Paul YenterMezzamorphis is the best album Delirious? has made to date. It worships through lyrics that are insightful, prophetic, encouraging, and honest. They probe into themes essential to the Christian faith--communion, salvation, social responsibility, hope, and love--with a sincerity that gives substance to their work. The album is noticeably focused on the topic of heaven. From the opening songs 'The…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by Joel ThomasForget what you know about Deliriou5?; drop any preconceived notions you may have about their new album, entitled Mezzamorphis. Martin Smith, lead singer, says in the press release accompanying the album, "A lot of you have been asking, 'Well, is it like Cutting Edge, is it like King of Fools?' Well, I don't think it's like any of them really. It's a big step for us as a band. It still definitely…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by James StewartCrashing into the UK album charts at the much-lower-than-expected position of 25, Mezzamorphis should assure most listeners that delirious? are still very much faith-inspired in their songwriting. The theme of heaven dominates from the very start. Musically, the sound is much richer than on the disappointingly dry King of Fools, and the fuller soundscape moves away from the strong U2 feel,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Eric DaamsFor weeks I'd been reading rave reports of Delirious?'s latest offering. I expected a dramatic change from their previous work, something that would absolutely blow me away. It didn't. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed but the change that I'd read all the reports about wasn't as radical as I expected. Take King of Fools, add a few distorted guitars and synths, and you get…Similar sounding releases
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