Microphones - Mount Eerie (5 tracks) +Album Reviews

Microphones masterpiece--so far

Craig Clarke | New England | 03/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since I heard their seminal album The Glow Pt. 2, I've been following this band (which is composed mainly of Phil Elvrum, the mind behind it all, and a few of his musically-inclined friends) and their musical ventures into the previously unknown. I immediately went in pursuit of more of that music. I have since bought the previous album It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water, and the singles collection Song Islands, and have been consistently impressed with the ideas and musicianship that come from one man's mind and his relationship with the universe. (All the Microphones albums can be seen to have a nature-based thread running throughout them, except the singles collection, which is stunning in itself as a portrait of the tremendous growth Elvrum has experienced since his original flowering.) After the tremendous success of The Glow Pt. 2 (its review page is one of the most popular on this site), where was there to go but up...and out. Mount Eerie is the Microphones' musical idea of the universe, from creation to the present--including a stunning visit with Death itself. It is a true concept album. It's nothing if not ambitious. And that's the kind of stuff coming out of the independent music scene in Washington state, and that's the kind of stuff you have to be ready for if you're going to listen to the Microphones. Don't get me wrong, it's melodic and sounds great through headphones. There's all the normal surface that we expect from our music, but there's more. That's all I'm saying. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this as a first Microphones purchase. There's enough material here that it may be overwhelming to a new listener. Get into the Microphones state of mind first. Listen to It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water, then go to The Glow Pt. 2, and if you "get" those, you'll be ready for a trip to Mount Eerie."

Be Patient and Listen

Andrew Cusack | Des Moines, IA United States | 02/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The latest offering from the Microphones only has five songs. It is not merely an EP-nope-this is a full-fledged album...and that means the songs are going to be long. Sure, "patience is a virtue" and whatnot, but it sure isn't a virtue which I possess. I have an attention span of zero, and I was scared to listen to it."Mt. Eerie" opens with nothing but the ambient drones with which "The Glow, Pt. 2" left off--and it drags on seemingly forever. My palms were already getting sweaty. Then, at the 3:40 mark, something is thrown into the mix to hold my attention: drums! I was captivated at first. The slight tapping grew into thunderous pounding...then the pounding keeps going. And going. Did I buy a record by the Energizer Bunny?The mix of odd noises and drums continues on for another seven minutes! This rivals the most painstaking of the Olivia Tremor Control's or Sonic Youth's experimental tracks, but the Microphones have the audacity to throw it at you right from the onset. And just when I am about to end my exercise in patience, the familiar, haunting voice of Phil Elvrum chimes in. I sighed in relief and settled into my chair. I love his voice. He doesn't hit every note perfectly. He might even flunk out of a voice class (Bob Dylan probably would, too), but it doesn't matter. His tone is perfect for the Microphones' music. It should be: he IS the Microphones. Elvrum writes just about every note for the "band," and he enlists friends to help him perform everything for the albums.The difficult first track, "The Sun," pours into "Solar System" via a wave of white noise. When the ear-piercing clamor dissipates, one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard is revealed. I can listen to this song over and over again.Ambient sounds and drumming again usher in the third song, "Universe." This track is the culmination of everything that "Mt. Eerie" is: it turns out to be just as beautiful as its predecessor, and it manages to capture the weird feel of "The Sun."This interchanging of weirdness and beauty continues throughout each of the five marathon tracks, but it never feels like it's forced. Each aspect of the album is definitely crafted with care, and there is a driving force holding it all together seamlessly. But what is it?After the album had played through the whole way, I realized something. I wouldn't have liked it without its odd mood. The atmosphere of "Mount Eerie" is its backbone, and that was set in the opening minutes (many minutes!) with all the weird drones and drumming. "Mt. Eerie" is one of those albums that must be listened to in its entirety to be fully appreciated, and appreciate I did. Give this record your patience, and it will give you satisfaction in return."

Mesmerizing

Zach | Port Angeles, WA United States | 04/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, assuming you're reading this review to see whether you should buy or download this album, you fall under one of two categories. 1) you haven't heard Glow Pt. 2 before. 2) you You have heard the The Glow Pt. 2 before.
If you fall in the 1st category, go buy the Glow Pt.2. Not that it's better mind you, it's just an easier listen and (assuming you like it - and you will) will provide a great gateway into Mt. Eerie - to me, the apex of the Microphones career so far. Now, if you have heard Glow Pt. 2, what are you waiting for? Mt. Eerie takes the unique Microphones' sound you grew to love and brings it to new heights - the heavens. This is the best concept alum since the Wall, and in the deep and ever-growing sea of great indie music, exists in a little tidepool of it's own.
Track one (Sun)is a massive, ambitious representation of the origin on the Universe and life on this planet - an abariginal drum beat powers this tune with Phil Elvrum's unique vocals and lyrical style bringing the metaphysical story to life.
Track 2 (Solar System) says so much in so little - etherial, beautiful,lonely - maybe the greatest Microphone's achievemnet yet.
Track 3 (Universe) brings new elements to the album - pushing the evolution evident throughout - "how many times have I learned this before?/ How many times have I made up this song before?/ How many times have I died up here before?".
Track 4 (Mt. Eerie) quite frankly blows me away. God, I am at a loss for words, really. It truly transcends definition.
And Track 5 (Universe) ties the album together nicely, if a bit hastefully - I was wishing for something more here, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Altogether, a modern masterpiece. No matter what aftermentioned category you fall under, you should eventually get to purchasing this album."

That one kid

Amjad Faur | Eugene, Oregon! | 12/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ok, this album is that one kid. you know, you're 26 or 27 and you go to a house show at your friends' house. and at the show there is a high school kid whom no one seems to know who is staging an enormous, beautiful and breathtaking play; a theatrical production on a shoestring budget that nobody in your town has seen the likes of. And this play instantly puts everyone else's work to shame, casting a light of sincerity and imagination on the show that is inescapable.
Immediately, the scenesters and post modern elite begin telling everyone, especially the beautiful girls, everything that is wrong with this kid's play, desperately trying to ignore and draw attention away from the simple truth of the situation. That is, that this kid has made something so gorgeous and honest in world that least expected it.
This album is that kid."

Epic in every sense

Kasey | 06/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Allow me to begin by saying that Phil Elv(e)rum is a artistic genius. On top of that, he's a very likeable guy (I've had the honor of conversing with him through e-mail). He is my own personal hero - I own pretty close to everything he has ever released publicly (a sum of nearly 300 different songs of his in my library). This album is the final conclusion of The Microphones.

In a single word, this album is epic. Soft noise, pusling heartbeats, distant fog horns, ethnic parade-like drums, trumpet blasts, soft and creepy choruses, whispering mellow guitars, he even uses what sounds like a powered screwdriver as percussion. The unusual instrumentation and 'experimental' recording techniques behind this album are enough for me to give it a five star rating (he released a CD of just the vocals from this, as well as just the drums - both are amazing CD's by themselves).

However, the aspect of this album that completes this album is the concept behind it. According to Phil himself, he essentially asks the simple but massive question, "I noticed that the universe is endless last night, have you ever noticed that?"

The entire album is essentially a single song which tells a story, not only with the words but with the music and instrumentation as well. Different voices represent different "characters," such as what Phil refers to as 'Death'(Kyle Field), 'Vultures' (Karl Blau), or the 'close dark voice'(Mikhaela Maricich).

From a person who has not heard any of Phil Elv(e)rum's music before, this album may be an 'aquired taste'. Musically there are very few parts which most people would consider to be 'catchy'. I would not recommend this as a first album to anyone interested in the microphones. Rather, I'd reccomend that they purchase "It Was Hot, We Stayed In the Water" and "The Glow Pt. 2" before this album. Those albums are still Elv(e)rum's brand of unusual, experimental pop music, but contain much more catchy musical phrases and hooks than Mt. Eerie.

Mt. Eerie is an album that must be a approached at a very different angle than most other music. You must not view it as an album that you just sort of sit back and listen to, or as background music. Rather, you must listen to it and view it as a journey. Close your eyes and picture yourself in the setting that Elv(e)rum has created. Listen closely to the lyrics and the music, and follow the story.

To offer a parallel, this album is in many ways like the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. If you did not understand the deep metaphors in that book, you would think it was a silly child's book about a bunch of animals on a farm that can talk. With this album, if you do not pay close attention and understand the metaphors then you will likely think that it is nonsense.

Also, on the same lines, do not think that this is like other albums that are more a "collection of singles" rather than a cohesive album. Listen to this from beggining to end, do not skip tracks or just listen to certain tracks, at least not at first.

Buy this album, get a set of headphones, press play, close your eyes, and allow this album to take you through different states of conciousness and sub-conciousness, through physical and metaphysical levels of the mind. I promise you'll open your eyes wanting more."

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	Microphones Mount Eerie Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (5) - Disc #1 The Sun Solar System Universe Mt. Eerie Universe
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