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Originally posted by BContrat:

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Originally posted by Tyler:

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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.

Oh, failed to notice that. Thanks for the pick up.

The vocals on Deerhoof albums shape the music so much that it would be hard to get into the band without an appreciation for them. I think they are one of the best bands around. They aren't just a distillation of the past twenty years of indie rock, they actually have rough edges.

The new Deerhoof record, "Friend Opportunity," has leaked.

I heard a song off of Prefixmag that is amazing. Deerhoof is wonderful.

I'm not sure what to make of it so far. I definitely miss Greg Saunier's careening guitar explosions. The first three tracks kind of fall flat because of it. I'm not writing it off yet though.

For me I immediately noticed the guitar riffs and drum patterns were stellar. However, when the vocals came in the first thing I thought of was Jigglypuff (OMG I made a Pokemon reference, someone shoot me) singing.

As someone else mentioned in the thread though, I just tried to imagine her voice as more of an instrument than something tossing words at me. Because there are maybe 5 or 6 lines on each album that I can make out. Other than that it's just notes being played from a very unique instrument.

Damn. The majority of you have awful taste in music.

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Originally posted by AllHandsOnTheBigOne:
Damn. The majority of you have awful taste in music.

Much thanks to AllHandsOnTheBigOne for telling us what we couldn't tell ourselves. Now if we can all gather for a big group cry, maybe we can work through these issues.

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Much thanks to AllHandsOnTheBigOne for telling us what we couldn't tell ourselves. Now if we can all gather for a big group cry, maybe we can work through these issues.

You're welcome. I mean, I'm just sayin'. If Deerhoof is too abrasive and progressive for you, I can't even imagine how shitty your music taste is.

Go away, or quit being an ass. There's plenty of message boards out there to be a prick on. These are pretty congenial for the most part.

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Originally posted by AllHandsOnTheBigOne:

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Much thanks to AllHandsOnTheBigOne for telling us what we couldn't tell ourselves. Now if we can all gather for a big group cry, maybe we can work through these issues.

You're welcome. I mean, I'm just sayin'. If Deerhoof is too abrasive and progressive for you, I can't even imagine how shitty your music taste is.

I like Deerhoof, but there are perfectly valid reasons why someone wouldn't. Letting someone know that their taste in music is shit isn't quite productive... at least in my opinion. I'll give you a pass and say that your evening of smoking pot and listening to the Mars Volta was interrupted by your mean old biology teacher giving you homework, and I'll excuse your crankiness and anger towards me.

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Originally posted by Collective Unconsciousness:
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.

What I love about Deerhoof is that they have a unique enough sound that I don't go, "God, not more indie rock!" when I hear them.

I only skimmed this thread, so I apologize if I am being repetitive, but from someone who DOES think they are one of the best bands in the world (or were as a foursome), here's my take:

If you can't get past the vocals, that's fine. I can't stand the blandness of most indie/emo boy singers, so I totally understand. Your Deerhoof is my Smashing Pumpkins or At the Drive In.

If you've only heard Runners Four, that's your problem. I don't know what all the fuss is about that album, though I'm glad they are gaining recognition. Seems to me like a slightly less interesting version of their previous work. Listen to the single "Holy Night Fever," from Reveille. For me, that's the Deerhoof essence: a catchy, childish hook against changing time signatures and jangly noise rock. If you can appreciate that song, check out the rest of that album, Halfbird, and/or Apple O. If you can't get into Holy Night, then you can stop trying.

And finally, yes Deerhoof is very much a live band. The many performances I saw of the 4 players were some of my most amazing live experiences. They move and breathe like one organism-- I'd never seen a band so tight and well rehearsed playing such compicated music. And the white guys go so far into "the zone" it's incredible, while the singer usually stands stiff as a board (though she does these cute dances to certain songs). All in all, a very embodied band, very rewarding live. It's downright tragic that they are just a trio now.

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Originally posted by blankfrank:
The vocals on Deerhoof albums shape the music so much that it would be hard to get into the band without an appreciation for them. I think they are one of the best bands around. They aren't just a distillation of the past twenty years of indie rock, they actually have rough edges.

Thank you-- your's is a more succinct description.

Also, where might I find Friend Opportunity? Thanks.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Deerhoof!!!

I've been listening to their albums obsessively lately, very much rediscovering their older material which I haven't listened to in a long, long time. Songs like "L'amour Stories" and "Top Tim Rubies" remind me of why I fell in love with them in the first place and newer tracks like "Green Cosmos" and "Kidz are So Small" indicate that the band is, well, still out of control and showing no signs of running out of ideas any time soon.

Oh, and to boot (and yes I know it's been said a million times already), they are one helluva live act. Like whoa.

I'd rethink that running out of steam thing. After the departure of guitarist Greg Saunier, the new record Friend Opportunity is EXTREMELY weak. let me put it this way, you know all those awesome bombastic guitar riffs and higher pitched out of control pseudo-jazz inspired riff? Well they're pretty much gone.

I know it isn't out yet but it's been leaked. Try Soulseek.

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I'd rethink that running out of steam thing. After the departure of guitarist Greg Saunier, the new record Friend Opportunity is EXTREMELY weak. let me put it this way, you know all those awesome bombastic guitar riffs and higher pitched out of control pseudo-jazz inspired riff? Well they're pretty much gone.

I know it isn't out yet but it's been leaked. Try Soulseek.

I have Friend Opportunity and I don't see them running out of ideas whatsoever. Admittedly, they're not nearly as raw as they were on their early records, but they're every bit as imaginative. To cite one example: "Kidz Are So Small," during which Satomi sings "if I were a man / and you a dog / I'd throw a stick for you!" is playful and bizarre and catchy as hell -- everything you come to expect from Deerhoof. True, the amount of spaz-outs has diminished, but the sound is still unmistakably theirs.

Oh, and Greg Saunier, probably the most incredible drummer still working today, hasn't left the band. It was bassist/guitarist Chris Cohen who, unfortunately, has parted ways.

Tear

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Platypus Quest,

My bad on the member changes.

As for Friend Opportunity all I can say is that I respectfully disagree and I forsee extremely bad reviews for it in the near future. The lyric you cited specifically is in my opinion one of the worst the band has ever come up with. The guitar parts which were fun at one time are now just blah to me without Cohen and there are parts where it simply just doesn't cut the mustard on any level. There were only two songs on the whole thing that really stack up to me, "The Galaxist" and "Look Away" and even those just sound like Deerhoof maintaining the usual.

Well, I have to disagree with you on "Kidz Are So Small".... I think it's wonderful.

"The Galaxist," which you mentioned, is perhaps my favorite song on the album, however.

I think the album will be greeted with quite good reviews actually. I might prefer the production on Friend Opportunity to that on Runners Four, though I would still argue that the latter is overall a better album.

After Cohen's departure, I was concerned that his absence would leave a noticeable void in the band's sound. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The band sounds just as full as ever.

I think the new album is just swell!

I'm not feeling this album at all. Its streaming here.

I've got to agree with who said above that bad reviews are coming with this one. There's a couple of good tracks, but I really miss the big, raw guitars in empty space from "Runners Four." The melodies are weaker as well.

I don't get what's not to like about this album, especially if you've been a fan of the band in the past. I think the record is fantastic, every single song, and when I see them live Friday night, I fully expect to be blown away.