After a string of solid and consistent releases, Deerhoof have gained a reputation for being one of the most fun bands in modern indie rock.
The Runners Four is their latest and most acessible album.
Deerhoof
Chris Cohen - Bass
John Dieterich - Guitar
Satomi Matsuzaki - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Saunier - Drums, Keyboard
In an age where the majority of bands often take three years or more between albums, it's refreshing to see bands like Deerhoof, who present us with solid albums year after year. Deerhoof aren't the only ones either. Bands like Xiu Xiu (who two Deerhoof members are involved in), Sufjan Stevens and The Fiery Furnaces have a similar work ethic. After releasing three sucessful albums;
Reveille,
Apple O and
Milk Man, Deerhoof underwent some changes before releasing
The Runners Four.
The Runners Four still gives us that same cute and chaotic sound that make Deerhoof who they are, but it is treated with an indie rock sensibility. There is a lot more diversity on
The Runners Four. And really, at nearly 60 minutes and a whopping 20 songs, you'd certainly hope so. Instead of the randomness that dominated earlier records, where a song could entirely change directions at the drop of a hat,
The Runners Four concentrates on making more actual songs. Still, there are plenty of changes in dynamics and tempo to keep fans of the chaos from earlier works happy. Being their most electic and focused album yet,
The Runners Four is extremely solid proof that a band can progress in style without losing what made them so good in the first place.
The Runners Four often switches from loud blasts of noise, to fun electronic passages, to soft finger picked acoustic parts. Being a lot more eclectic, there is also a wider use of instrumentation, including a greater use of male vocals. The childlike innocence which makes their sound so much fun progresses throughout the record until album closer "Rrrrrrright" where it is most dominant. The vocals and instrumentation have improved from Deerhoof's earlier releases. Despite all of it's acessiblity,
The Runners Four sure isn't the easiest record to get into. It is an enormous 20 songs, as well as retaining a lot of the weirdness that was featured on early Deerhoof recordings. With a back catalogue as impressive as Deerhoof's, it would be a stretch to call
The Runners Four their best record yet. It is, however, easily their most electic and it is certainly a step forward for the band. With the progression the band has undergone,
The Runners Four can safely be considered as
one of Deerhoof's best albums.
Pros
Improved and more catchy sound
Keeps all of the elements that made Deerhoof's earlier albums so good
Plenty of material gives the record good replay value
Cons
Fans of earlier work may wish for more of the pandemonium that dominated earlier works
Many listeners will find the length daunting
Reccomended Tracks
Twin Killers
Scream Team
Lightning Rod, Run
FINAL RATING: 4/5
