What can be said about the San Francisco quartet Deerhoof that hasn’t already been said?
A lot.
They’ve already been coined “one of the best bands in the world” and they’re admittedly “pop” through and through. Think you have this one pegged? You don’t.
As drummer Greg Saunier puts it “Stick with us and the bad guys with guns will never catch up…” That statement is proven within their sound again and again. Deerhoof is so far ahead of the game, there is a very real possibility their latest release Breakup Song will fly miles over the head of mainstream consumers. I don’t say this in a pretentious way, but in complete honesty. The abstract, experimental dance music makes The Mars Volta feel conformed. The technical breakdowns and space-rock that forms the backbone of this record is anything but predictable or monotonous.
The front of Breakup Song should come with a giant yellow sticker boldly stating “WARNING: Listening to this record out of context or under the wrong circumstances may cause blank stares and confusion.” Like interpretive dance, Deerhoof’s sound is deeply seeded in vast experimentation and detailed chaos. Few tracks (“Mothball the Fleet” and “To Fly or Not to Fly“) could be considered “safe” by a truly understanding standard. As for the rest of the album, it is better reserved for background music to a large party than to the reflective solo listen. Deerhoof is noise, experiment rock and they won’t shy away from that. They are proud to craft their sound under these titles and it shows in every beat.
It should come as no surprise that Breakup Song is being released on Polyvinyl records. Polyvinyl takes chances, they aren’t afraid to release incredibly original artists. Deerhoof is not new, they’ve been at it for almost two decades but remain encompassed in originality. Their music continues to evolve and expand. You cannot even begin to guess what is going to come next, you simply have to bow the experience and let yourself be sucked in to the labyrinth of monumental sound.