As reported in February, Phil Elverum, of Microphones and Mount Eerie, will be releasing two albums this year. The first, Clear Moon, presents songs about “a quiet life in and around a small northwest town, usually buried in fog, and the unexpected moments of clarity that briefly flash through.” It will be released on May 22nd via his label P.W. Elverum and Sun. The second, Ocean Roar, is a companion album to Clear Moon. It’s set for release sometime later this year. Both new albums were both recorded in Elverum’s new homemade recording studio “the Unknown”, which was built in an old de-sanctified church in Anacortes, Washington. On both albums one can hear “the giant wooden cathedral room.”
“House Shape” is a cut from Clear Moon, and is a slight departure from his acoustic-oriented folk efforts. With a complacent psych-rock lull, reverbed percussion, and droning key backing that fluctuates dramatically, pushing inwards and backwards like a flickering light bulb. You’d expect something more mellow on an album called Clear Moon, but this is a very enjoyable effort nonetheless. Definitely an interesting direction for Elverum. One would assume that both albums explore different directions, one being more subdued than the other. Could Ocean Roar be the quieter of the two?
EUROPEAN TOUR (all shows with EARTH and Ô PAON)
Thurs. March 22nd, 2012- Torino, Italy- Spazio 211
Fri. March 23rd, 2012- Firenze, Italy- The Box
Sat. March 24th, 2012- Parma, Italy- Auditorium Del Carmine
Sun. March 25th, 2012- Lausanne, Switzerland- Le Romandie
Mon. March 26th, 2012- Wiesbaden, Germany- Schlachthof
Weds. March 28th, 2012- Vienna, Austria- Arena
Thurs. March 29th, 2012- Leipzig, Germany- UT Connewitz
Fri. March 30th, 2012- Prague, Czech Republic- Dobeska Theatre
Sat. March 31st, 2012- Berlin, Germany- Festsaal Kreuzberg
Mon. April 2nd, 2012- Copenhagen, Denmark- Loppen
Tues. April 3rd, 2012- Gothenburg, Sweden- Truckstop Alaska
Weds. April 4th, 2012- Oslo, Norway- Inferno Festival
Thurs. April 5th, 2012- Stockholm, Sweden- Strand
Fri. April 6th, 2012- Helsinki, Finland- Nosturi
