Why There Are Mountains

Why There Are Mountains is an independently released studio album by the indie rock band Cymbals Eat Guitars. The album was initially self-released, then re-released after the band signed to Sister's Den Records in late 2009. The LP version of the album is currently only available via Insound.

Personnel
The following people contributed to Why There Are Mountains

Cymbals Eat Guitars

 * Daniel Baer – keyboards, piano
 * Neil Berenholz – Bass
 * Joseph D'agostino – guitar, vocals, composer
 * Matthew Miller – drums, percussion

Recording personnel

 * Kyle "Slick" Johnson – engineer, mixing, percussion, producer
 * Dave McNair – mastering

Additional personnel

 * Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen – trombone
 * Matt Gasiorowski – trumpet
 * Marika Hughes – cello
 * Megan Weeder – violin
 * Lizzy Yoder – vocals

Reception
Why There Are Mountains received mostly positive reviews from critics. The album currently has a 78 out of 100 rating on the review aggregate site Metacritic, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".

Ian Cohen of Pitchfork Media gave the album an 8.3/10, writing "Why There Are Mountains ends up being like any great result of wanderlust—here, the journey is the end not the means; fortunately, that gives Why There Are Mountains astounding replay value." The album also received a "Best New Music" designation in the review.

The album has appeared on a few end-of-year albums lists. Pitchfork Media named Why There Are Mountains the 43rd best album of 2009. It was also named the number one album of the year on The Daily Cardinal's list of the Top 15 Albums of 2009.