The Microphones - The Glow, Part 2
(K)
Last year's It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water by the Microphones
hinted at some sort of grand, low-key psychedelic vision Phil Elvrum
was searching to fulfill. Everything from the lazy acoustic guitar,
to the simple vocals, to the off kilter songwriting were presented in
a dizzying, dreamlike package. But, the album lacked the direct insight
to the heart of this strange bedroom psychedelia, instead leaving the
listener with a strong sense of what they had heard, but no details to
piece it together and get a good long look at it.
This year's "The Glow, pt. 2" follows the same idea, with a better
sense of purpose, however vague and meandering that may be. For the
most part, the songs are built around Phil's lazy acoustic guitar
style. The complimentary instrumentation is varied enough (strings,
horns, organ and keyboard, and of course drums, bass, and electric
guitar) that each track carries a vibrant spontaneity.
One of the charming qualities of The Microphones is the way a
wash of noise flows seamlessly into a pop song, creeping out from under
the noise to shed a little melodic light on the gentle waves their songs
carry you on. The pop songs vary in tone and style enough that each turn of
the album carries some surprises. "The MANSION" perfectly blends sculpted noises with Phil's melancholy acoustic songwriting. Songs like this and "You'll Be in the Air"
are what make The Microphones so engaging.
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