Some musicians are performers, and some are meant to sit in a basement, tinker around with sound and occasionally create magic. I once went and saw Phil Elverum, aka The Microphones, aka Mt. Eerie, aka Slightlyupmyownass, at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. I was very into his album The Glow Part 2, and was excited to hear some of the songs live. Now I'm not sure if Mr. Elverum was on really intense pain medication, but it was honestly one of the most boring shows I've ever seen. I left before it even ended. I don't think "experimental" music has to be synonymous with soul-crushingly tedious and lifeless performances. Tortoise is a band that makes experimental music, and they were one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I'm going to see the anti-establishment, nine-person post-rock group Godspeed You Black Emperor! later this month, and I fully expect to be entertained! They're pretentious enough to move the exclamation mark to after the You in their name, but I've heard that they still put on a good show!
Needless to say, I'm not running out to see any more Phil Elverum shows. However, "Map" has consistently blown my mind since the first time I heard it about ten years ago. There are some great guitar-based songs on the album, but the sounds he creates in this song just kill me.
0:25: The sky is torn off. This sound is so beautiful to me. Reminds me of "The Big Ship" by Brian Eno.
1:28: Beautiful vocals with the ascending drums.
2:21: Glocks! Break yourself!
2:56: Swirly! Can you feel the swirlllllllllllllllllllllllllll...
3:51: Love the drums! Pounding one piano note again and again, with what sounds like an accordion in the background, all caught up in the swirl. Amazing climax.
I would like to live inside this song for a while.
