Microphones in 2020 might be his apex as a songwriter.
Microphones in 2020 hits the pause button for Phil to reflect and catch his breath, and in that there’s a certain peace to be found.
This is Elverum's indelible stamp of style, distilled into a single track that flows like waves in the ocean or hills on the mountainside.
Elverum’s work proves as expansive as ever. An engrossing one-track album is no easy feat, but he draws us in with expertly rich, layered lyricism and immersive production.
Microphones In 2020 is an instrumentally predictable but narratively thorough deep dive into the formative years of singer-songwriter Phil Elverum’s music career.
When I see the AOTY community quoting lines from this album in their reviews, it just goes to show that Phil Elverum is one of the greatest and most quotable songwriters to ever live. He can say literally anything and it would sound poetic.
I’m not complaining, you old dog.
“Microphones in 2020” makes me feel nervous and at ease and the same time. Whether it be the endlessly progressing yet unchanging instrumental, or the softly spoken, touching, depressive, cathartic ... read more
“It's not that bad, but I know I wanted to go deeper beneath the pain // beneath the human.”
Plato can be credited for saying that it's the ultimate duty of writers and painters to "help us live better lives." Over 2000+ years later and I doubt anyone would want to discredit this sentiment. Though, maybe it could use some amending for the modern day. In a world riddled with injustices (and outlets for mental deterioration) at every corner, I find that the novelist, ... read more
Spiritually and in retrospect, Phil Elvrum has written a kind of autobiography through Microphones in 2020. A grandiose work, particularly intense, introspective and intimate, which remains forever one of the most beautiful demonstrations of life.
Beyond all the nostalgia we feel musically and through all the landscapes of memories he tries to make us live, Phil Elvrum has an extraordinary life and career path. From his youth under the nickname of The Microphones and later his ... read more
I don’t know what to put here so I’m just gonna say my favorite food is Mac and cheese.
This is Phil’s or The Microphone's 6th studio album and final album under that alias. I’m pretty familiar with Phil’s work. I used to listen to him a lot back half a year ago but since my music taste has changed a lot I don’t listen to his music anymore I still wanted to at least review some of his albums because he makes very good music and he’s a great ... read more
Edit: In case this wasn't obvious by my review and score and the fact it's in my favorite albums, you should listen to this
Thank you for 300 followers! Here's a review of an utterly phenomenal piece of art.
After listening to The Glow Pt. 2, I wanted to explore of the music from The Microphones, as well as Mount Eerie. This led me to finding this, and I thought the album cover looked great, so I decided to listen. Nothing could prepare me for how much of a masterpiece this is. This on the ... read more
1 | Microphones in 2020 44:44 | 95 |
#2 | / | Sputnikmusic |
#6 | / | Beats Per Minute |
#13 | / | Pitchfork |
#14 | / | Magnet |
#15 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
#17 | / | Treble |
#22 | / | No Ripcord |
#23 | / | Loud and Quiet |
#23 | / | Norman Records |
#25 | / | Exclaim! |