Summary:The Microphones is an alias for Washington state-based Phil Elvrum, who returns here with a five-part concept album named after a mountain in his home state. The album is also being released in two limited edition alternate versions, one an a capella version called "Singing from 'Mt.The Microphones is an alias for Washington state-based Phil Elvrum, who returns here with a five-part concept album named after a mountain in his home state. The album is also being released in two limited edition alternate versions, one an a capella version called "Singing from 'Mt. Eerie,'" and one a drums-only version (!) called, naturally, "Drumming from 'Mt. Eerie.'"…Collapse
Mount Eerie would be a gorgeous record even if the vision behind it didn't fall somewhere between Biblical allegory and Greek myth, but the drama makes it all the more stunning. [Feb 2003, p.70]
It is a more intimate and more cohesive work than anything else he has done, but it is decidedly difficult, tossing aside more ingratiating effects in favor of a haunting, ethereal mood and a single, thematic narrative.
Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclical eternality of life and not having it all come out as a pretentious mess of self-important prognosticating and vaguely simplistic truisms places Elvrum in the rarified air that few outside of Brian Wilson have ever attempted to reach.
Mt. Eerie is a truly stunning album, managing to be deeply beautiful and unnerving, as well as deeply thoughtful, without ever seeming pretentious or heavy-handed.
Mount Eerie doesn't work outside of its concept and, to the detriment of the songs, the album is so intensely personal that melody and song structure give way to abstract conceptualism.
The unintentionally hilarious Mount Eerie misfires so dramatically, it makes you want to reconsider not the Second Amendment but the First. [#57, p.98]
I can't believe those bad ratings... There is absolutely no reason for them to say this album is a joke. Phil is one of the most I can't believe those bad ratings... There is absolutely no reason for them to say this album is a joke. Phil is one of the most important artists of our time!!! Believe it...…Expand
this cd is genuine, a very personal work with a lot of deepness.. it takes a while to get into it, but once you do.. you'll be amazed by this cd is genuine, a very personal work with a lot of deepness.. it takes a while to get into it, but once you do.. you'll be amazed by it's unique beauty…Expand
Maybe I'm biased about this album, with The Microphones/Mount Eerie being my favorite band, but this album is great. While not being forMaybe I'm biased about this album, with The Microphones/Mount Eerie being my favorite band, but this album is great. While not being for everyone and may be difficult at first, after a few listens its magic begins to show. It begins how The Glow pt. 2 ended and and ends with Elverum discovering the face of the universe. The concept makes it cheesy, but that is what keeps it from becoming pretentious garbage. Even if it was serious, it would be some of the best pretentious garbage I can have ever listened to. A+…Expand
What a beautifully hunting send off for such an incredible band. This is The Microphones Magus Opus, every track is incredibly touching andWhat a beautifully hunting send off for such an incredible band. This is The Microphones Magus Opus, every track is incredibly touching and meaningful. It makes me sad this is the last Microphones record yet as they are reincarnated as Mount Eerie i await with anticipation as to what happens next.…Expand
Absolutely fantastic slow burn of epic proportions. Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclicalAbsolutely fantastic slow burn of epic proportions. Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclical eternality of life and not having it all come out as a pretentious mess of self-important prognosticating and vaguely simplistic truisms places Elvrum in the rarified air that few outside of Brian Wilson have ever attempted to reach…Expand
It is surely a good album, but it's no The Glow, Part 2. Now THAT is an incredible album. Perhaps the greatest "lo-fi" recording ever? It is surely a good album, but it's no The Glow, Part 2. Now THAT is an incredible album. Perhaps the greatest "lo-fi" recording ever? Regardless, The Microphones are immensely talented, but Mt. Eerie just hints at the magic they're capable of.…Collapse
I know Phil Elvrum is a drummer, but this album is pretty much ALL drums. Is that something you'd want to listen to for 40 minutes? When I know Phil Elvrum is a drummer, but this album is pretty much ALL drums. Is that something you'd want to listen to for 40 minutes? When some sort of melody does come in, generally in the form of acoustic guitar and bad singing, it only sounds good in that it's a reprieve from the drumming. I wouldn't give a zero lightly; this is truly awful.…Expand
