In 2004, Elverum abandoned the "Microphones" name to begin recording as Mount Eerie, briefly returning in December 2007 when he began selling a new 7" single by the Microphones ("Don't Smoke" / "Get Off the Internet") on his website and at concerts.
In 2020, Elverum returned to the Microphones name once more to release the project's 14th album Microphones in 2020. Microphones members/collaborators include Karl Blau, Dennis Driscoll, Kyle Field aka Little Wings, Mirah, Khaela Maricich aka The Blow, Adrian Orange aka Thanksgiving, Adam Forkner and K Records' founder, Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and the Halo Benders.
Feedback
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the triangle
And including a lot of large number
Of related instruments in between
Bells of all the sizes, College
Snare drums, tambourine
Company and a campaing of cong
Followed by a set of chains
Something′s in my head
When will I ever let it out?
That song is something we all love
It's born when we sing and shout
We all sing songs of feedback
Whenever we′re in love
We all have voices for speakers
Feedback just floats in the air
It's fast and it flies everywhere
Microphone loves the speaker
They never get to me
Singing the songs of feedback
Nothing has ever been so sweet
The Microphones' song Feedback is a poetic exploration of sound and its various components. The lyrics describe a range of instruments, from the bass drum to the triangle, emphasizing the importance of each and every one in creating a rich, complex sonic experience. The inclusion of bells, snare drums, tambourines, and more, showcases the vast variety of sounds that we can use to communicate and express ourselves. The verse then shifts to a more introspective tone, as the singer struggles with the desire to release the thoughts and emotions that they hold within their mind. This connects back to the theme of sound, as the act of creating music can often serve as an outlet for these pent-up feelings.
The chorus reinforces the idea that music is a powerful force, capable of uniting people and generating positive emotions. Feedback, in particular, is presented as a symbol of the connection between the singer, the audience, and the technology that enables them to share their voice. The distinction between the "microphone" and the "speaker" speaks to the idea that sound is not just about what we say, but how we say it, and the context in which the message is received. Overall, Feedback is a meditation on the ways in which sound shapes our lives, and the profound impact that it can have on our emotional well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Ranging from the bass drum
Starting from the deep percussive bass sounds
To the triangle
To the high-pitched, bright tinkling sounds
And including a lot of large number
With numerous instruments
Of related instruments in between
Of various supporting instruments in the middle range
Bells of all the sizes
Different sized bells are included
College
A college bell is also in the mix
Snare drums, tambourine
Snare drums and tambourines are also part of the mix
Company and a campaing of cong
A group of congas and drums are present
Followed by a set of chains
The percussion sound continues with the addition of chain sound
Finally, a roll on geometry
The pattern of sound continues until it reaches a climax
Something's in my head
There's something in my mind
When will I ever let it out?
When will I finally express it?
That song is something we all love
That melody is something everyone loves
It's born when we sing and shout
It's created when we sing and shout together
We all sing songs of feedback
We all express our emotions through music
Whenever we're in love
When we are consumed by love
We all have voices for speakers
We all have a voice to express ourselves
Feedback just floats in the air
The sound of feedback takes on a life of its own
It's fast and it flies everywhere
It moves quickly and spreads all around
Microphone loves the speaker
The microphone enjoys working with the artist system
They never get to me
They never let me express my true self
Singing the songs of feedback
Expressing myself through music
Nothing has ever been so sweet
There's nothing sweeter than being able to express myself through music
Writer(s): Kanye West, Katherine Rachel Mills, Cydell Charles Young, Darius Jenkins, Noah D. Goldstein, Cheshmazar M. Sarfaraz A. &, Chancelor Bennett, Marcus Byrd, Malik Yusef El Shabazz Jones, Ernest Brown
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.