Let's talk about the new album... or the leak anyway. I'm not sure if this is the final mix of the album, my hunch is that it isn't, but these songs seem much more instantly accessible than "Cryptograms" and the "Flourescent Grey" EP. I only have a few listens so far, but the accessibility could be either good or bad for me at this point. My initial reaction is that it's good, but i also thought Vampire Weekend was good on first listen (about a week later, not so much), so I'm being more cautious about albums that catch my attention right away.
This could be a best-of-the-year contender, but that's based on just a few cursory listens. Between this and Atlas Sound, this Bradford Cox fella sure is prolific. Weren't these guys on a "hiatus"? So much for that i guess.
Posts: 378 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
This could be a best-of-the-year contender, but that's based on just a few cursory listens. Between this and Atlas Sound, this Bradford Cox fella sure is prolific. Weren't these guys on a "hiatus"? So much for that i guess.
I'm glad I didn't lavish praise on Atlas Sound. One, because I wasn't too big a fan. Two, because I knew Cox would have something bigger in store for us (ooh, if I was still in eighth grade, I'd see a great joke there). Anyway, it's been a banner year for Castles so far, Crystal or Micro.
********************** Metal-Archives POTD
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I'm looking for Russian Militant Black Metal. Semi-good production is a plus, as are clean vocals (if kept to a minimum). Also looking for vocals in Russian. Basically like a Russian version of Absurd...
Posts: 929 | Location: Ain'T it stiLl obvious? | Registered: 22 August 2006
So far Turn It Up Faggot has been my favorite Deerhunter release. But Cryptograms was a very solid listen and I'll definitely keep an ear out for the new record. Just hope it's better than Atlas Sound.
Most of Microcastle is pretty incredible. I don't think the first half of "Saved By Old Times" holds up well though. The second half of the song shines but the first half is some strange blues-cum-sound collage thing that doesn't seem well thought out enough. The rest is pretty flawless though, I love "Agoraphobia" and "Twilight at Carbon Lake."
Originally posted by JGlass: Does anyone else hear some Spoon in the first couple tracks and some AC in the last couple tracks of Microcastle?
Yeah I suppose I can sorta see that. Interestingly I posted a while back here that those 2 were my favourite bands currently, heh - and the start and ending is awesome. What does the middle of the record sound like? I'm trying to decide if the album woulda been better without it.
And ya, this record makes the Atlas Sound record sound like half finished song skeletons. Which it is.
I too am not a big fan of Atlas Sound, though i beieve some songs are worth hearing. I'm just glad Deerhunter's hiatus lasted about 2 months rather than 2 years. Deerhunter is definitely much better to me but i tend to like "Bands" better than one-man-bands.
Does anyone else think this isn't the final mix of the album? It sounds kind of like a rough mix, but maybe that's what they're going for. I like it either way, so it'll nudge itself into my consciousness.
And Deerhunter most certainly could be the new Sonic Youth, eventually, but i don't think they're quite there yet. Nothing compares to Sister or Daydream Nation or, hell, even Dirty in the Deerhunter discography, so i think that may be a pre-mature accolade at this point. They have the makings of a band that will eventually end up in the indie canon... But it's just a bunch of good tunes in my book, so whatever.
Posts: 378 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
I think Cox has learned a lot from his dalliances with clean,uninfected laptops. There was obviously a mandate on minimal, loop-like drumming put into place right around the same time as the one about making an art-pop album. The slower songs are there for a reason, so if you don't like them, you should look deeper then merely track-by-track yea-or-nay analysis. If you still prefer the busier tracks after that... I can kind of see where you're coming from.
Well, as someone who has a tendency to listen to an album as a whole and not pay as much attention to tracks, I'd say the middle section with the slow songs is well placed and does a lot for the album as a whole.
I need a lot more time. At first, I thought this was top 3, then top 10, then barely top 20, and now, after seven or so listens, I think it's between top 5 and top 10. Of course, that could change.
Originally posted by JGlass: Well, as someone who has a tendency to listen to an album as a whole and not pay as much attention to tracks, I'd say the middle section with the slow songs is well placed and does a lot for the album as a whole.
I agree with this. It widens the album. The one niggling complaint I'd consider leveling regards the overall simplicity. I feel like a heretic to my own church saying that, but I almost wish the album had a bit more sonic depth. That can't be right though.
Well ambient interludes, ambient middle sections and ambient anything doesn't really interest me, but I see where you guys are coming from as it being part of the album and the pacing. Then again, 3 great songs would also have widened the album
Anywho, Twilight at Carbon Lake is easily the best album closer i've heard all year.
