K Mail Order Department — Distorted Cymbals (DBN122)

Distorted Cymbals (DBN122)

Phil Elverum, in his many musical incarnations is a collector of sounds. His Mount Eerie single 'Distorted Cymbals' (DBN122) fits perfectly in the Dub Narcotic Disco Plate catalogue. Recorded with Calvin Johnson (Selector Dub Narcotic) at the Dub Narcotic Studio, this sound dash 7" has been called one of Phil's more cogent projects by Calvin, and is a wonderful collaboration between two musical savants. Side A presents the original mix of 'Distorted Cymbals', where Elverum conjures dreamy elements of motion and texture by layering his instruments against quiet vocals. Always reaching to describe and fill bigger concepts, in 'Distorted Cymbals' Mount Eerie is knocked over by the vastness of the sky. With a steady beat, a few chords, and the clash clash of cymbals, this Mount Eerie single may bring fans back to the Microphones first release Don't Wake Me Up (KLP099). That is why Elverum plays such a looming role in the musical underground-- his ability to perform, through all his musical endeavors, as himself. Selector Dub Narcotic remixes the single on Side B, 'Angelpoise Cymbals,' laying a melodica out over the track and cleverly rearranging the song. This accentuates moments of silence and overlapping lyrics- which lends wondrous air and feeling to Elverum's music. Mount Eerie continues to tour and write, and occasionally returns to his hometown in Anacortes, Washington to watch his mountain. And in recording singles, like 'Distorted Cymbals" shows that his singular form of pop-magic is still breathing and growing in the musical underground. "Part of Phil Elverum's allure, specially as Mount Eerie, is his ability to completely encapsulate the listener- primarily through his meandering lyrics, his captivating and innovative instrumentation, and his ability to eloquently depict tales of existential wonder and decay in a manner unlike any other." - Consequence of Sound