This doesn't sound like the kinda album which will automatically win you over after one listen. Also, I'm not that much into Deerhoof because I haven't heard a lot of their earlier stuff, but The Runners Four rocked me, and that was after I heard a lot around here saying they couldn't stand Deerhoof because of the vocals.

I don't know their earlier stuff earlier. I'm a short-time fan, but completely adore "Runners Four." I'll continue to give it time. It wouldn't be the first album to take its time getting into.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
This doesn't sound like the kinda album which will automatically win you over after one listen. Also, I'm not that much into Deerhoof because I haven't heard a lot of their earlier stuff, but The Runners Four rocked me, and that was after I heard a lot around here saying they couldn't stand Deerhoof because of the vocals.

For me, it's only partly the vocals. Yeah, they're atrocious and unlistenable, but everything else is also an abomination.

I'll give you the vocals. They're obviously hit or miss, even Deerhoof fans know this and accept that most won't get it. But damn, to knock that rhythm section is just wrong. The drummer is hands down the best drummer in indie-rock today.

And yes, I realize that last statement is ridiculous after re-reading it.

Maybe the drumming is good; I don't usually notice that sort of thing, really and I never concentrated that hard when listening to Deerhoof. Mostly, I found out real quick that they weren't for me, and after (somehow) making it all the way through Runners Four, I gave up on them for good.

Yes, the drumming is in fact spectacular. I say this as a somewhat experienced drummer myself - the guy is definitely the perfect drummer for Deerhoof, as his chops are only equalled by his energy.

To tell you the truth y'all, I've really come around to Friend Opportunity. After the first couple of listens I too was pretty disappointed. This wasn't the Deerhoof I had grown to love. I can see what some of you guys were saying and had many of the same feelings myself. It's production is slicked out, featuring more electronics/drum machines and backing away from the spastic noisy jams and that great raw garage rock flavor of the past.

But I realized I was letting personal expectations of what the new Deerhoof should sound like get in the way of enjoying what was actually there. True, a part of me still longs for the noise-pop juxaposition of the past. And I don't believe this album is as strong as past efforts like Reveille or The Runners Four. But I can hardly fault the band for not making the same album over and over, or sticking to one sound. In it's own way Friend Opportunity is quite good: groovy, funky, infectious. "Kidz Are So Small" and "Look Away" are probably my favorite songs.

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Originally posted by Hophead:
I'll give you the vocals. They're obviously hit or miss, even Deerhoof fans know this and accept that most won't get it.

I understand that they seem to be divisive, but I truly cannot understand why. Ok, so they're not conventional. So what? What do people want, every singer to sound like Barbara Striesand or Frank Sinatra? Good god.

Really, I never considered any of the qualities of Satomi's voice to be off-putting or grating in the least. Sure, they register at a semi-high pitch. And true, they come off as childlike. However, I always thought that a positive thing. I think it's what gives the music it's pizazz: that interplay between Satomi's sweet sugary "twee" pop vocals and the art rock instrumentation. Besides, I never really considered her sing-song vocals to be traditonal singing in the first place, and don't understand why people speak about them like they would a traditional rock vocalist. The songs certainly aren't centered or structured around her vocals. Quite the opposite. The little phrases she belts out do a great job of playing on or adding to the instrumentation and giving the music a fun, upbeat, and melodic feel. I had no idea she was so hated by so many until I started reading forums like this one.

Here's the question. If the band replaced Satomi's vocals with a synthesizer or something that possessed the same pitch and timbre of Satomi's voice, would the criticism be "man, I could dig the band if not for that one annoying synth"? Or is it just that people are so hung up on vocals and so conditioned to hearing conventional singers that they cannot bring themselves to understand the power or effect or aesthetic of a vocalist with even a slightly different approach?

If Deerhoof changed vocalists and used a more standard singer they might be more popular, but I'm sorry, they wouldn't be nearly as good.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
For me, it's only partly the vocals. Yeah, they're atrocious and unlistenable, but everything else is also an abomination.

I'm sorry man. I just cannot relate to where you're coming from at all. I mean, I can somewhat understand those criticisms of the band's earlier work when they were much more dissonant and bombastic. Some just aren't accustomed to that sort of an approach.

However, The Runners Four!? Messy!? Unlistenable!? What? The instrumentation on that album certainly retained some of the band's quirikness (a good thing), but it was streamlined, focused, and downright refined. For the most part the guitar tones are clean and the riffs are lively, bouncy, and yes, catchy! Listen to the riff on "Twin Killers". This is an abomination? Pffft. This is a pretty standard little guitar riff if you ask me.

I dunno. I guess your statement just strikes me as being as bizarre as if someone said "d00d, I listened to the Pixies and their instrumentation was just so avant-garde. I just didn't get it."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Portable Joystick,

quote:

Originally posted by Portable Joystick:
To tell you the truth y'all, I've really come around to Friend Opportunity. After the first couple of listens I too was pretty disappointed. This wasn't the Deerhoof I had grown to love.

I couldn't agree more. Thanks, for saving me a lot of typing on this one. It's a grower.

Yes, definitely a grower. And I love it now! Very happy indeed.

I have to admit that after repeated listens the new Deerhoof has completely grown on me. Just like Runners Four which I also immediately disliked but then became great over time. Maybe this is a weird trend with Deerhoof and me, knee jerk reactions and then total love. I still don't like "Kids Are So Small" though and I maintain that it might be the worst Deerhoof song ever.

OK, you guys are convincing me to listen to the new one some more. I loved the last one, and that's the one EVERYBODY bitched about, but it reminded me of 1979. Great music to be had/heard everywhere. Yes, even Deerhoof. If I'd heard The Runners Four in '79, I'd have latched onto it ASAP.

quote:

Originally posted by jonathanbrisby:
I still don't like "Kids Are So Small" though and I maintain that it might be the worst Deerhoof song ever.

True dat. I think this song is a large part of the reason my initial reaction was negative. Once I realized it was only this one song that was bothering me, I got over it. If ever a song were B-side material...

Man, I really like "Kidz Are So Small". The synths and off-kilter rhythms are really cool.

The one song I really dislike on the album is "Whither the Invisible Birds?". A very boring ballad-y type tune. It's like a second-rate "Desapareceré" off Milk Man or something.

Did I mention they also make freakin' cool videos? I just checked out the "Perfect Me" on MySpace. Weee!

quote:

I still don't like "Kids Are So Small" though and I maintain that it might be the worst Deerhoof song ever.

"If I were a man, and you were dog... If I were man, and you were dog, I would throw a stick for you..."

This song is fucking genius.

That isn't sarcasm.

I am so there with "Kids are so Small!" It's prolly my favorite of all Deerhoof's songs. My favorite line is "If I were dog, and you were man... I would pitch a fit for you." It's great.

Above all, Deerhoof makes me happy.

Agreed. The "pitch a fit" line pretty much makes that song. If I ever make an album, I will name it "Pitch A Fit"...so assonant, so clever, aaaaa, just say it..."pitch a fit".

I love Deerhoof.

I'm seeing them live tonight. w00t. I'm excited to see how the new material sounds live.

quote:

Agreed. The "pitch a fit" line pretty much makes that song. If I ever make an album, I will name it "Pitch A Fit"...so assonant, so clever, aaaaa, just say it..."pitch a fit".

Interestingly enough that line was not written by Deerhoof. Look at the inside liner notes to the record, one of the only notations found inside credits that lyric to someone else. On top of that, have you guys never heard anyone say that before? It's a pretty common phrase. I'm just trying to figure out what you find so awesome about it.

Haha noooooo