There is no shortage of lo-fi indie-folk floating around today’s music scene (aka the Internet). But I would argue much of it is produced for that reason alone—it being the current fad—not as a stylistic choice. In that light, artist Phil Elverum is refreshing—something different, though not exactly something new.
Whether with his original project The Microphones or his latest endeavor as Mount Eerie, Elverum has never been one to sit still. Rather, he is known for experimentation, and it is certainly present on Mount Eerie’s newest work Pre-Human Ideas.
The album is entirely a reexploration of the artist’s previous work, taking bits and pieces of Mount Eerie albums as far back as 2001’s No Flashlight, up to more recent work like 2008’s Clear Moon. Some songs are made heavier, some lighter. The use of organs, synthesizer and Auto-Tune ties the record together.
Sometimes Elverum makes his old material better, while other times he falls short. On some tracks, such as “I Say ‘No’” and “Lone Bell,” he makes a change for the better with additional electronics bringing new life to old work. On others, such as “The Hidden Stone” and “House Shape,” I prefer the original style. However, the real triumphs lie in-between on tracks like “No Inside, No Out,” when you find yourself liking the old track just as much as the new. These instances make the listener realize the album is an incredibly intriguing and successful endeavor.
The point is not to judge whether each track is an improvement, but rather to marvel at Elverum’s ability to create and recreate. The album clearly marks him as an artist interested in the bare bones of what it means to be a musician: exploring the infinite combinations of sounds that make a song, the infinite combinations of songs that make a record.
While Pre-Human Ideas might appeal more to a seasoned Mount Eerie listener, it’s also a good starting point for those who might be newcomers, particularly any listener interested in composition. Elverum’s work is both raw and fantastical no matter the track, no matter the album. He always leaves the listener with a unique taste of what sound can do and Pre-Human Ideas is no different.
Rating: B+
