Some very compelling music has come out so far in 2008, from all corners of the sonic universe. But few have sounded as strange yet accessible as Deerhunter’s Microcastle.
I pondered the excellently weird compositions of Bradford Cox and his merry San Francisco band for Metromix. And it was good.
Deerhunter, Microcastle
[Scott Thill, Metromix]
Like “Cryptograms” before it, “Microcastle” rewards repeat listens. It takes time for the ambient spacetracking of “Little Kids,” which sounds like it stepped off a time machine launched from the stoned ’60s. That same Beach Boys-meets-Pixies vibe permeates the entire effort, especially on the deliberate downward strum of the dynamic “Never Stops.” Meanwhile, “Nothing Ever Happened” is a head-bobbing post-punk stomp that keeps on giving, and “Twilight at Carbon Lake” is a multi-movement winner whose guitar-heavy climax closes out “Microcastle,” one of 2008’s best efforts, with a refreshing bang. MORE @ METROMIX