Album suggested by Derian
Listened to from May 14-21, 2024
Our music club tipped off Season 3 by delving into the enchanting and entrancing album, The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain by Tapir!. This 2024 folktronica / post-rock masterpiece was unanimously met with high praise, solidifying its place as a highlight in our explorations so far as a group. When putting forth the album for the club, Derian described it as the quintessential folktronica album, saying, “I get goosebumps at so many moments on this record. I love electronic music, but since it’s all mechanical, I find it can feel cold sometimes. This album’s warm folk sound contrasts so incredibly well to give it a highly emotional and down-to-earth feeling. It’s just pure bliss.”
As Derian highlighted, the album exudes a charming and pleasant tranquility being rooted in folk, but balances out with moments of intense, immersive soundscapes that becomes heightened due to its mechanical elements. These dynamic shifts enrich the listener’s journey, which reflects the album’s conceptual pilgrimage in search of a mythical mountain believed to hold the answers to life’s greatest questions. Along the way, the pilgrim encounters a series of hardships, from unholy creatures, to stormy seas, and eerie forests, each adding layers of depth to the narrative, all while enhancing the experience of the listener.
Divided into three acts, the album unfolds as follows:
– Act 1 (The Pilgrim)
– Act 2 (Their God)
– Act 3 (The King of My Decrepit Mountain)
Act 2 emerged as a collective favourite, with Track 2, “Broken Ark,” significantly standing out, captivating the group with its poetic lyrics and the incredible depth of its production. Other favourites from the group included “Swallow,” “Gymnopédie,” “Eidolon,” and “Untitled.”
The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain by Tapir! is a mesmerizing journey as it beautifully blends serene moments with intense passages, crafting a cohesive and immersive experience. Its depth of narrative, as well as production, makes it an album that rewards multiple listens, and is one of our favourite albums of 2024 so far. We hope you’ll give it a listen as well!
Here’s what some of our members had to say about the album:
Colton: “Tapir! has managed to create an album that’s both ambitious and accessible, packed with rich soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics. It’s an album that rewards repeat listens, revealing new details each time.”
Kyle: “The contemplative concept of the mountain as the pilgrimage’s end destination and a higher power holding all the answers to life, makes the album’s progression all the more captivating and the conclusion deeply rewarding. This album is an all-time favourite already for me.”
Liv: “Overall, I think the album is polished, creating a unique, ethereal, and heartfelt atmosphere that only gets better with more listens.”
Emily: “The narrative driven intro songs to each act are so strong, and serve such a great purpose. I love how they set the tone of each section, and help us visualize the little pilgrim and his journey.”
Here are some stand out lyrics that caught the ears of our members:
Swallow
“On my way home, I caught a swallow
With broken wings and a face that’s narrow
Its heart still beats and it calls me over
It talks me out and it takes me over
It calls my name and it says it backwards
Then he flies away and leaves without words
And before this day, I spoke in reverse
Now I know my name and it no longer hurts”
Untitled
“Now my mouth is dry, and tastes like lead
So I’ll sing for you instead”
My God
“Maybe it was Maybelline that put you at a loss”
Listen to The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain:
Follow the Band:
Check out the band’s My Life Is Big x state51 Factory Session for a live performance of songs from the album. A beautiful show, Tapir! ushers in the atmosphere of the record in this detailed performance that includes interpretive dances, pilgrims, and harsh atmospheric conditions.
Soundwave Society Music Club 
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