After isolating himself for five months in Norway, Phil Elvrum reemerged in 2003 with a batch of new songs that he would later perform acoustically (mainly) throughout the rest of the year. The new songs, generally speaking, were more introspective and somber, but were still trademarked with Phil's unnerving execution, clever narratives, and reluctance to conform to the verse-chorus-verse paradigm. Although the new songs were closer to the simplistic style of 2001's The Glow Pt. II rather than the epic grandeur of 2003's Mount Eerie, they were obviously from the mindset of a different Phil. I was lucky enough to catch these new songs at the Babylon in Minneapolis, MN, a performance that has since proven to be one of the most moving and rewarding experiences of my life.
Unfortunately, Live in Japan, the last album to be filed under "The Microphones" moniker, doesn't come close to reflecting the experience I had in Minneapolis. While some songs do a descent job at conveying the indescribable intimacy of a Microphones show ("Great Ghosts"), Phil's playful stage presence ("My Favorite Things" and "Silent Night"), and his interest in creating infinite versions of songs ("The Blow, Pt. 2"), others come off as mediocre recordings that would've fit on any old bootleg. And though the tracks that feature Phil's friends helping out (Calvin Johnson, Kyle Field, The Mools) are certainly interesting, they seem to underscore the fact that songs intended for a live setting do not always translate well on record.
As you can see, the problem I have with Live in Japan has to do more so with the live album format rather than the songs themselves. (In fact, Phil's newest material, which includes many more in addition to the ones on this album, are by far my favorite he has ever penned.) I certainly do not expect or wish that live recordings will someday supplant the live performance, since that is neither logical nor even possible, but it's a bit disappointing when this officially-released album doesn't even surpass my Department of Safety bootleg. It just seems that live albums are only successful at taking songs out of their original context and creating a pseudo notion of "being there" while we celebrate in its nostalgic illusion. Although there are certainly positive outcomes to recording live performances, they too often give the wrong impression to those who haven't experienced the artist or artists live. In the end, this album is mainly for collectors.
1. Great Ghosts
2. The Blow, Pt. 2
3. Universe Conclusion
4. We Squirm
5. My Favorite Things
6. Silent Night
7. After N. Young
8. Climb Over
9. "I Love You So Much!"
10. I Have Been Told That My Skin Is Exceptionally Smooth
11. Thanksgiving
More about: The Microphones
