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There is too much to say about this incredible piece of art. But I recall watching this at the height of the pandemic, alone in my room entranced by the repetitive first 10+ minutes of guitar. It is accompanied by decades worth of photo prints taken by Phil, placed on top of one another from around the world, which coincide with his lyrics.
He sings, "I decided I would try to make music that contained this deeper peace buried underneath distorted bass fog imbued with light and emptiness" ... uhhh okay fuck.
It is a collection of memories, his journey through life, making music with the microphones and growing up in Washington. "When you're younger every single thing vibrates with significance".
There is also a live chat replay, where you can see Phil Elverum's comments and descriptions of what the photos are.
Every so often I come back to this incredible piece of art, and as cliche as it sounds it brings me back to that weird time in the world so clearly, and I find myself very thankful for Phil's songwriting and art.
Anyways prepare to be heartbroken and also inspired by the beauty and pain he transmits to you.
Related Recs
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from Wikipedia:
McAloon was rendered nearly blind for a period in 1999 due to detached retinas; housebound, he found comfort in listening to shortwave radio transmissions like chat shows, phone-in programs and documentaries.[3] He recorded conversations from these programs, fragmented them, and introduced new words and lines from other sources, generating source material for the album.
makes me cry every time
never realized how much emotion could come from a theremin
and normally I don’t go for spoken word but it feels so plain and honest in contrast to (or because of?) the orchestra strings
Jan 23, 2024
this is so potent! been told the rest of the album is equally as devastating. i’ve never had a complete listen through to confirm cause i only handle it up to 4 songs. the album is written in dedication to his late wife who died of cancer shortly after the birth of their daughter and so did my grandma not too long ago. although the love i have for my nan and phil for his wife differ, the grief is the same.
Sep 19, 2024
perhaps you are mourning your lost childhood? perhaps you are attempting to be present in the world for the first time? perhaps you are undertaking the all-too-human task of creating meaning from the fragments of your world?
put on your headphones, go for a walk, and listen to this album!! learn to appreciate your own existence in all of its pain and beauty!! the one can not come without the other, i fear.
faves: before, crybaby, just like mine, modern woman, to wake up
Jan 26, 2024
Top Recs from @edna
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winter - sweet oranges, persimmon etc
summer - big heirloom tomato and sprinkle of salt, watermelon, stone fruit
no need to worry about the mess bc u just wash it right away!
someone or maybe the internet recommended eating a cold orange or other citrus in a hot shower and I can confirm that is also a great sensory experience
Feb 26, 2024