I've read statements like this, first from Pitchfork, and then also Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.
And usually, their fans are really big FANS - like obsessive and posessive of this band that they really seem to love.
Obviously I can't deny sincerity to fans - but I have absolutely no shared sentiment on Deerhoof AT ALL. It's not like one of those bands that I just "don't get" or "doesn't appeal to me, but is good". I fail to see how this is a good band in lyrics, music, and most especially that godawful singing.
For some reason when I first heard Apple O', I liked it, but I can't remember now what I could have ever heard in it. I went through that album and Runners Four today, and it was painful.
Help - am I missing some skillful music-making in Deerhoof, somehow???
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BContrat,
I've only heard their latest album, and it was one of the worst things I've ever heard.
-------------------------------------------------- I have no race prejudices, and I think I have no color prejudices nor caste prejudices nor creed prejudices. All that I care to know is that a man is a human being—that is enough for me; he can't be any worse.
Posts: 4605 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
I really like Deerhoof. I can definitely see how some people are turned off by them though. My girlfriend has forbidden me to play them in the car because she hates the vocals so much. I really don't think there is anything to "get" or "not get" about them. I think they're just one of those bands that is sort of polarizing in the respect that some of the same things that I find "cute" or "fun" about them, others find completely annoying. Personally I think it's highly enjoyable, energetic, slightly noisy pop. I completely respect your opinions to hate or love them for whatever reason though.
"One of the best bands in the world" would certainly be a pretty big stretch, but I have only positive feelings about what I've heard here and there. I intend to buy an album of theirs one of these days.
The singing's unusual, for sure, but I have no problem with it.
Posts: 688 | Location: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: 01 January 2005
Oh yeah. Maybe I should go on the record as saying this too. Regardless of my love for Deerhoof, I do not think they are "one of the best bands in the world."
I've never been able to get into any of Deerhoof's albums. Not a single one. Yet I saw them live in 2005, and it was one of the best shows I've ever been too. The band is really talented (especially the drummer). Next day, I went home and put on one of their records, and switched to something else minutes later. Maybe they are a better live band than anything else...
I have only recently got into Deerhoof through the Runners our. For me it was one of those bands that I had heard mentioned often but never really paid attention too. I kind of blew them off...I didn't think her voice was bad just slightly annoying. But Deerhoof are ridiculously good and highly original. The Runners Four really is a great cd, much more accesible and cohesive than their past stuff. They were always a great unique band, and hopefully their next album will prove that they are one of the best bands in the world. The Runners Four was definetely one of the best cds of 2005. Oh and about her voice...ok everybody I know feels that way. "Musically these songs are awesome but why that voice??" Just give her a chance its definetely a grower. Raving Lunatic: Worst things you ever heard? Come on stop being so ridiculously hyperbolic and dont listen to deerhoof as background music to your surfing the web. and Ninja: you liked them live but can't listen to their records? Why? its the same songs.
I feel like I've got a dagger stabbed into my heart!!! There are many of you that I TRUSTED! You fellas got me into Black Dice, Akron/Family, and The Microphones!!! And then you go off and say you hate Deerhoof!! Stabbed in the back!!
I'm kidding, of course...Deerhoof is a band that I've loved for the past few years. I definitely can understand the dislike of the vocals. Actually, although I didn't hate them at first (despite their being sort of grating, I actually found them more comical than anything else). But after listening to them more and more, I began to try and look at the vocals as another instrument, and once I did that, I actually started to love the vocals. I don't even know what her lyrics are half the time...sometimes I don't even know if she's speaking in Japanese or English. But for me, it didn't matter. I don't even pay attention to the lyrics....as I said, I listen to the vocals as if it was just some kind of keyboard or something.
What I LOVE about Deerhoof is their ability to beat the crap out of you with some of the most intense and ridiculous drumwork and guitarwork. If you listen to the guitar riffs on Apple O' (or, rather, the guitar riff on the bridge/chorus on "Spirit Ditties of No Tone," I just don't understand how someone can't be blown away). Their guitarwork is so creative...mixing post-punk riffs and timings with classic rock melodies. And their drummer, IMO, could join any jazz trio in the world and play his ass off. What clinched the drumwork for me is seeing them live...the drummer's ENTIRE drumkit consists of a snare, a bass drum and a highhat. The guy does more with that little set than any drummer I've ever seen do with gratuitously large kit.
BContrat, maybe i've convinced you, maybe I haven't. But go listen to the guitarwork and drumwork on Apple O', Reveille, and Runner's Four....if you don't think that the drumwork and guitarwork isn't creative and skillful, then maybe you need to learn how to play the drums and guitar, and try and play that stuff. I'm sorry if you already do play guitar or the drums (and if this sounds like an insult), but seriously, I think you'd be very hard-pressed to find a guitarist or drummer that would say that those elements of Deerhoof aren't skillful.
Hopefully my many ALL-CAPS words above can convince some others. Please don't let me down!
Originally posted by ericg75: I don't hate the music, but I cannot get past the singing. Her voice just grates on me. It's an immediate dealbreaker for me.
I think we've agreed on this very point in another thread.
Il n'y a pas de hors-texte.
Posts: 3139 | Location: FoCo | Registered: 07 January 2005
I actually enjoy the vocals but maybe that is because I get really bored with indistinguishable vocal styles. Sure its a learned appreciation but I'm definately greatful for it now.
Deerhoof are incredible.
I think whenever a band gets tagged with a "Best band in the world" description it almost always is in reference to their live performance and Deerhoof sits very well in that category so the acclaim in that sense is understandable.
For those looking to have that same energy committed to tape you obviously have another thing coming. I don't know one band with live acclaim that doesn't receive at least one record review saying "this doesn't capture the energy of their live show but..."
Like Clap Your Hands or going way back to Talking Heads, the vocals must be appreciated on a different level. It's the raw honesty, emotion, and energy of the vocalists that are attractive, not whether they can hit exactly the right notes. If I wanted that, I'd go to the Opera.
Originally posted by ezkcdude: Like Clap Your Hands or going way back to Talking Heads, the vocals must be appreciated on a different level. It's the raw honesty, emotion, and energy of the vocalists that are attractive, not whether they can hit exactly the right notes. If I wanted that, I'd go to the Opera.
I think it's more the timbre of her voice, not her ability to hit notes. There are lots of sub-par singers whose work I enjoy. You mentioned two of them in your post. I don't think Satomi Matsuzaki is a bad singer necessarily, I just find her voice irritating. She sounds like a cross between Isobel Campbell and Andy Kaufmann's Foreign Man.
----- Use all your well-learned politesse or I'll lay your soul to waste.
Posts: 5924 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I think it's more the timbre of her voice, not her ability to hit notes. There are lots of sub-par singers whose work I enjoy. You mentioned two of them in your post. I don't think Satomi Matsuzaki is a bad singer necessarily, I just find her voice irritating. She sounds like a cross between Isobel Campbell and Andy Kaufmann's Foreign Man.
Exactly. I was going to say something like that - because I DO love CYHSY, Bright Eyes, Talking Heads
deerhoof makes me want to blow my eardrums out... I think they are horrible, I would never go to any of their shows. Im disgusted they think they are indie rock.
deerhoof makes me want to blow my eardrums out... I think they are horrible, I would never go to any of their shows. Im disgusted they think they are indie rock.
You want to hate on Deerhoof, okay, fine. However, being that they are on an independent label (ex: Kill Rock Stars) I think it goes without saying that they are an indie rock band, to dispute that is to be blatantly erroneous.
Originally posted by ezkcdude: In his defense, I think that was his unconscious self speaking.
What does that mean?
Well your unconscious means your impulses, the primal things that we try to tame/keep-in so we don't look like asses all the time. (Freudian). And it was a joke based on his username.
most especially that godawful singing.
