Review Summary: Deerhoof combine their previous two albums into something not entirely new, but still great.
Who is Maggie?
That's the question I found myself asking while listening to this record along with "Offend Who?" and "This isn't as good as Friend Opportunity or The Runners Four". What exactly did Deerhoof do to offend this very person? Although an answer isn't given, what is given is another solid release by Deerhoof.
The record starts fittingly enough with one of the best tracks on the album. "The Tears and Music of Love" starts with a ear pleasing riff and doesn't stop with the catchy melodies that don't shy away from Satomi's sugar coated vocals that tend to have a dividing effect when it comes to listeners. Although about two minutes in one of the biggest problems comes in; it gets boring. Although this won't be as apparent on the first listen, multiple listens of this this album reveal a lackluster sense of replayability. Although this by no mean kills the record it does make it one that you won't be playing on an endless loop.
The following tracks follow a familiar formula, catchy melodies that get old. The next track "Chandelier Searchlight" starts off well enough more of Satomi's "Hello Kitty" vocal stylings but doesn't really go anywhere except repeating melodies and the chorus line over and over again. Luckily, there are some tracks that tend to break from this trend of monotony.
The title track begins with guitar work that although not unknown to their sound, is a fitting change to the record. Tracks that help keep interest include 'Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back" which is probably the most love/hate tracks on the record. Some will like the incredibly cutesy vocals and lyrics ("Bunny jump Bunny jump"). I personally love these songs as I tend to be a rather immature individual but odds are if a Mastodon fan picks up this record and starts on this track, there bowels will most likely be emptied (I mean this in a bad way, unless of course that's your thing).
Other noteworthy tracks include "This is God Speaking" Deerhoof's token experimental track, not something you'll listen to over and over again much like most of this record but still good if you want something different, "Family of Others" which features a male vocalist which helps to change this up a bit.
Although not their best effort as evident by the monotonous nature of the record on repeated listens, this record still succeeds due to Deerhoof's signature charming sound mostly due in part to Satomi's vocals. This record won't win any new fans over but fans of Deerhoof would be ashamed to miss this record.
