Mercury Rev's 1991 debut album "Yerself Is Steam" was a huge success with critics and was quickly followed by the single "Car Wash Hair". The releases prompted the band to make their first live appearance - their third was on the main stage at Reading Festival and their fourth supporting Bob Dylan - an auspicious start to their decade-long career.

Despite the positive response, which was reflected in good sales figures and regular tours, it wasn't until their fourth album "Deserter's Songs" that they managed to win over a mainstream audience.