Customer Reviews

Advisory Committee

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mirah tugs at the listener's heartstrings. At first, her voice sounds like one belonging to a young girl, but then she dives deeper and shows you, without trying, how devastating she can be.
Perfectly placed loud crashes in the title track balance well with lighter melodies such as "Recommendation."
"Cold cold water," "After you left" and "Monument" are so well-written that it's easy to feel Mirah's heartbreak even if you've never felt your own. Sometimes she's almost whispering on "Body below" but it sounds like she's right in your ear, so it's a lovely experience.
Absolutely the best album I've heard in years.

I knew I had to get this when I first heard opening track "Cold Cold Water" as the first track on a mixtape. With it's immaculately detailed almost ennio morricone-sounding epic orchestral backing mixed with Mirah's own confident but fragile and low-key vocal style, it brings to mind a much-less-pretentious Bjork (no offense, I like Bjork...). I was initially dissapointed that the rest of the album is much more minimalist, mostly alternating between simple folk-ish acoustic guitar numbers and almost synth-pop-like keyboard and drum machine pieces, but ultimately the album is still appealing thanks to unusual instrumental touches (the violins and pump organs that give "light the match" an exotic gypsy-folk feel, the steel drums in the title track), and most of all Mirah's sensual lyrics, gorgeous melodies and warm singing.

Mirah's music is almost like a genre unto itself which is why she's so unconventional and unknown to most everyone. At the same time, no two song sounds the same, which means that the listener could adore one track and abhor the next. When first listening to the tracks, it's hard not to think "this music is... strange."

Mirah's voice is incredibly simple-- it sounds like a person singing lightly to herself under the assumption that no one else is listening. Her voice has almost a sweet, breathy naivete about it. Very rarely does she sing with different emotion, but when she does she's fabulous: In "The Garden," Mirah's agony is incredibly convincing. I would've liked to hear more songs with the same longing sadness.

On the complete contrast, I can't count the number of instruments used throughout the songs because there are so many. Sometimes the instruments would make a dark, heavy feel to it through strong percussion and minor chords from a choral sound (Her first track and possibly the best, "Cold, Cold Water" is a good example). Other times, the feel would be like a street beat based on the clever use of synthesizers like on the track "Recommendation." On some songs, Mirah's vocal sweetness is highlighted by tracks where a guitar is the only instrument used. One of my biggest complaints with her album is the reliance of technological sounds-- "Body Below"'s first 1:15 is nothing but a monotoned heavy sound with no drive or direction.

Mirah's album is a worthy gift to someone with tastes akin to "Neutral Milk Hotel," "Great Lake Swimmers," and "Anja Garbarek." Indeed, this is one of those albums that makes a nice addition for anyone who prides themself on having good music that no one's ever heard of. If you're one of these people then buy this to add to your reputation as the person with great taste (albeit a little strange) in unknown artists.

I could go on for hours at how wonderful Mirah's voice is. Or how it fits every song she plays on. Especially Cold Cold Water. It in itself is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard from the Microphones crew (Phil and his friends). Buy this, along with the Microphone's the Glow pt. 2 and Mirah's old album, You Think It's like This but it's really like this. This is what music really is. This is what music should be.

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews for this one. On to the review though - I really liked Mirah's first record, You Think It's Like This But Really It's Like This, and Advisory Committee I like even better. Phil Elvrum agains helps out, and again does his usual nice recording and mixing job. If you haven't heard Mirah yet her vocal delivery is along the lines of early Liz Phair, but more convincing in a way. And a few tracks, like "Special Death", are so PJ Harvey it's not even funny. But I'm not complaining. The melody in "After You Left" is great, but "Cold Cold Water" is my favorite track on the record. Not sure if the title is meant as a reference to the Beach Boys or not, being that it's "cold" instead of "cool." Really amazing production throughout, but the set up on "Cold Cold Water" really gets me. "I'm so number one that it's a shame / That you let other numbers in the game." I might have to agree.

"I'm so number one that it's a shame...that you let other numbers in the game." Mirah's lyrics are crossed between a teen poet's diary entries and something totally other-worldy. If her voice doesn't capture you immediately, the almost hypnotic quality of her music will. Perfect for days when you're alone and it's raining. Or whenever you feel like it. Weather really has nothing to do with it.

You've heard this before, but not like this.

How could I possibly give negative criticism about this album?...I can't. The best word I can use to describe this collection of songs is,..."sweet." It makes me want to take her over and over and over (lyrics from "make it hot"). It is tender perfect music for the ambivelent queerish relationship. It makes my body feel a certain way that I cannot describe. So, I suggest checking it out and feeling it for yourself. You'll like it. I promise...which is something I rarely do.

'Advisory Committee' is almost like the opposing gender's response to the Microphones 'The Glow Pt 2', which isn't the least bit surprising given Phil Elvrum's production on this record. Mirah, aka Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, has collaborated with the Microphones in the past (both in the studio and on the road), giving her the neccessary springboard to launch a substantial solo career of her own, beginning with her first full-length, 2000's exceptional lo-fi indie pop Y'ou Think It's Like This But Really It's Like This'. Her second full-length, 'Advisory Committee', represents a welcomed departure in her sound, adding a more musically complex side this time around. While Elvrum's instantly recognizable atmospheric production adds immeasurably to the overall impact, Mirah's girlish, wistful vocals (she's also credited with the majority of instruments used) are clearly leading the way here. A good example of this is on the epic "Cold Cold Water", the Bjork-esque "The Garden", or the surprise sing-along chorus at the end of "Light the Match". Ultimately, 'Advisory Committee' leaves you wanting more, leaves you wishing the highest points reached just a bit higher, and most importantly, leaves you curious as to where she'll go next to accomplish these things.

it takes a couple of listenings to to figure out which songs are the catchy ones and which ones are the genuinely good ones. but either way, all of the songs have this unpolished sound that makes it feel as if you're listening to her around a campfire or something, even with all the special effects. 'make it hot' 'recomendations' 'after you left' 'sun' and 'body below' are my personal favorites.

'Advisory Committee' is almost like the opposing gender's response to the Microphones 'The Glow Pt 2', which isn't the least bit surprising given Phil Elvrum's production on this record. Mirah, aka Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, has collaborated with the Microphones in the past (both in the studio and on the road), giving her the neccessary springboard to launch a substantial solo career of her own, beginning with her first full-length, 2000's exceptional lo-fi indie pop 'You Think It's Like This But Really It's Like This'. Her second full-length, 'Advisory Committee', represents a welcomed departure in her sound, adding a more musically complex side this time around. While Elvrum's instantly recognizable atmospheric production adds immeasurably to the overall impact, Mirah's girlish, wistful vocals (she's also credited with the majority of instruments used) are clearly leading the way here. A good example of this is on the epic "Cold Cold Water", the Bjork-esque "The Garden", or the surprise sing-along chorus at the end of "Light the Match". Ultimately, 'Advisory Committee' leaves you wanting more, leaves you wishing the highest points reached just a bit higher, and most importantly, leaves you curious as to where she'll go next to accomplish these things.