Mount Eerie
by The Microphones
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    Mount Eerie would be a gorgeous record even if the vision behind it didn't fall somewhere between Biblical allegory and Greek myth, but the drama makes it all the more stunning. [Feb 2003, p.70]
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  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclical eternality of life and not having it all come out as a pretentious mess of self-important prognosticating and vaguely simplistic truisms places Elvrum in the rarified air that few outside of Brian Wilson have ever attempted to reach.
  3. Stylus Magazine
    78
    Elvrum’s tightest song cycle yet, truly focusing and clarifying the themes and ideas he’s explored on all his albums.
  5. Splendid
    90
    It is a more intimate and more cohesive work than anything else he has done, but it is decidedly difficult, tossing aside more ingratiating effects in favor of a haunting, ethereal mood and a single, thematic narrative.
  6. Magnet
    20
    The unintentionally hilarious Mount Eerie misfires so dramatically, it makes you want to reconsider not the Second Amendment but the First. [#57, p.98]
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  7. CultureDose.net
    80
    Mount Eerie doesn't work outside of its concept and, to the detriment of the songs, the album is so intensely personal that melody and song structure give way to abstract conceptualism.
  8. Flak Magazine
    30
    Save for a few scenes, it's a complete tragedy. Or a comedy.
  9. Pitchfork
    89
    This is a massive artistic statement from The Microphones, and though it may be cryptic-- even overwhelming at times-- it remains warm and open, thanks to the stunning intimacy that has consistently been the group's hallmark.
  10. Dusted Magazine
    90
    It seems that every element previously employed by the Microphones is recycled here in masterpiece capacity.
  11. PopMatters
    90
    Concept albums can often be difficult affairs, more geared towards scratching their creators self indulgent itch than providing listeners with an enjoyable experience. While Mount Eerie is not on the same level as The Wall or Tommy, it is a remarkable effort by a brilliantly talented band.
  12. AllMusic
    80
    Mt. Eerie is a truly stunning album, managing to be deeply beautiful and unnerving, as well as deeply thoughtful, without ever seeming pretentious or heavy-handed.
  13. The A.V. Club
    70
    Elvrum gets bogged down in telling the story, to the detriment of the songs themselves.
  14. Junkmedia
    40
    A disappointing concept album with large patches of trivial explorations and experimental noodling.

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Most Shared Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. ChairmanMeow99
    Mar 29, 2012
    10
    Maybe I'm biased about this album, with The Microphones/Mount Eerie being my favorite band, but this album is great. While not being forMaybe I'm biased about this album, with The Microphones/Mount Eerie being my favorite band, but this album is great. While not being for everyone and may be difficult at first, after a few listens its magic begins to show. It begins how The Glow pt. 2 ended and and ends with Elverum discovering the face of the universe. The concept makes it cheesy, but that is what keeps it from becoming pretentious garbage. Even if it was serious, it would be some of the best pretentious garbage I can have ever listened to. A+… Full Review »
  2. poln
    Dec 14, 2004
    10
    this cd is genuine, a very personal work with a lot of deepness.. it takes a while to get into it, but once you do.. you'll be amazed by this cd is genuine, a very personal work with a lot of deepness.. it takes a while to get into it, but once you do.. you'll be amazed by it's unique beauty… Full Review »
  3. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 29, 2021
    8
    Absolutely fantastic slow burn of epic proportions. Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclicalAbsolutely fantastic slow burn of epic proportions. Weaving together themes like mortality, the universality of mankind, and the cyclical eternality of life and not having it all come out as a pretentious mess of self-important prognosticating and vaguely simplistic truisms places Elvrum in the rarified air that few outside of Brian Wilson have ever attempted to reach… Full Review »
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