It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water
The Microphones · 2000
41 min · 11 tracks · indie rock
A haunting blend of lo-fi textures and introspective lyricism, evoking a dreamlike state of memory and nature.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Glow — Spanning over eleven minutes, this track embodies the album's thematic exploration of fleeting moments and emotional depth through its gradual build-up and shifting dynamics.
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Ice — In under two-and-a-half minutes, Ice captures a stark imagery of coldness that contrasts beautifully with the album's warmer tones, showcasing Elverum’s lyrical brevity.
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(Something) — This track encapsulates the essence of vulnerability found throughout the album, blending minimalist instrumentation with poignant reflections on existence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of lo-fi textures and dynamic shifts creates a unique listening experience that rewards repeated plays.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half introduces more ambient and experimental soundscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in 'The Glow' and 'The Breeze'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- meditative reflections on nature
- patient moments of introspection
- short tracks for quick thoughts
- subtle dynamics for headphone detail
- immersive atmosphere for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeks high-energy engagement
- prefers straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 26, 2000, It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water is The Microphones' third studio album. At this point in their career, frontman Phil Elverum was refining his sound following the critically acclaimed The Glow Pt. 2 from 2001, which would follow this release. This album marks a pivotal moment where Elverum began to explore more abstract themes and experimental production techniques.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mount Eerie· Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Glow
Imagery shifts from personal memories to expansive natural landscapes, creating a sense of nostalgia melded with awareness.
This transition highlights the interconnectedness between personal experience and broader environmental themes, emphasizing Elverum's skill in weaving intricate narratives.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Pull 4:53
- 2 Ice 2:19
- 3 Sand 1:52
- 4 The Glow 11:06
- 5 Karl Blau 1:43
- 6 Drums 3:18
- 7 The Gleam 2:52
- 8 The Breeze 2:00
- 9 (Something) 4:34
- 10 Between Your Ear and the Other Ear 3:13
- 11 Organs 3:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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