The Glow, Pt. II
The Microphones are a one-man band in which Phil Elvrum (Old Time Relijun) makes soft, psychedelic nylon-stringed guitar jangle sound both humble and heroic. While operating in an all-analog "lo-fi" mode, in the vein of Elephant 6 collective bands such asOlivia Tremor Control, Elvrum's no wannabe.The Glow, Pt. 2, his fifth release, is his most cohesive yet. All the musical elements gel with concept (in this case, fire) and breathe with the sort of spooky, misty clarity that arguably can only be captured in an intimate, non-digital production. The solitary quality of the Microphones could be compared to that ofBright Eyes,Syd Barrett, and Graeme Jefferies onMessages for the Cakekitchen. On the soothing opener, "I Want Wind to Blow," Elvrum's plaintive whisper-singing might lull you into a dream--but the bloodcurdling commando-style distortion of the second and title track will shake your senses.The Glow, Pt. 2is like a giant ocean liner on which the songs and all their disparate elements--stark solace with violent, beautiful, otherworldly weirdness lurking beneath--control the ebb and flow of your emotional response.--Cyndi Elliott