Mount Eerie Wind’s Poem Rating: 9.2 Label: PW Elverum and sun Release: Aug 17, 2009

Coming in as the third official Mount Eerie album, Wind’s Poem echos a louder sonic force that Phil Elverum has never before been attempted on this scale.
Phil’s introspective endeavors from the Microphones into Mount Eerie have always captured an ethereal essence this one brutally grabs hold of it. The entire album drones in the best way possible, you are never left feeling alone. The wind blows right by you with it’s haunting sound.
As the opener dives into harsher experimental elements you are shown what to expect at the harshest of times. It sets a nice bar so you’re never too surprised when it kicks back up. The intensity of the instruments propel Phil’s vocals as they contrast the dark undertones. The follow up “Through the Trees” passes 11 minutes in length. It mimics, dare I say, LCD Soundsystem in their debated “Us V. Them” Both tunes share a beat that never drops during the entirely of the song. While cleverly done it’s not the most welcoming thing to listen to at first, but pays off in the end.
I’d suggest checking staying tuned as some of the best tracks round up the second half. There are a few pop gems like Between Two Mysteries. It will brighten things up with sick percussion and beautiful lyrics. Ancient Questions is a nice follow up. A traditional (something) follows that up before Lost Wisdom pt. 2 comes up. It’s quite interesting, heavier. Perhaps the Black Wooden Ceiling take on it. “Stone’s Ode” finishes things off with a nice breezy drop.
The album has its highs and rarely drops. He’s done some better work, but this sits nicely in the catalogue/narrative. Like most Elverum releases, right at the heart of the album is Phil’s path of inner exploration as well as his vastly universal search.

Written by: Bill Boguski on December 31st, 2009 | Filed under Music Reviews