Claustrophobic With Cox
September 20th, 2010
The first video from Deerhunter‘s forthcoming Halcyon Digest (out Sept. 28 on 4AD) has been released. “Helicopter” is one of the sumptuous new songs on the band’s fourth album and can be found by visiting halcyondigest.com and clicking through twice. I say claustrophobic because frontman Bradford Cox’s greasy mug fills up most of the camera’s eye space, overlapped with what looks to be a grainy, chopped up tour travel diary (note the prayer to the porcelain god) and other distorted imagery. It waltzes in as easily one of the more thoughtful ballads the band has written yet.
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The early talk on the record is that it resembles more of an Atlas Sound offering than one devised by Deerhunter, but I’m not sure that’s entirely true. The two are linked by Cox’s whims, obviously, and these songs sound (maybe) less band-oriented than many tracks found on Microcastle or Cryptograms, but I wouldn’t read too much into any claims that his bandmates are on the fringe (or the “outs”, god forbid). Pundt, Archuleta, and Fauver have all been key components of the Atlanta ghost-rock band from the beginning. We even get to hear guitarist Pundt lead the vocals on “Desire Lines” and “Fountain Stairs”. That said, this album won’t remind you too much of those previous two records—go back and listen to the Flourescent Grey EP and you’ll find your similarities—but it will certainly cement your fandom (should you allow it).
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You can also stream the album over at NPR for the time being. The Guardian will have it from the 22nd and on. Pre-order it here.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:03 am
Music for Songwriters said:
The album is finally here!…can’t want to get my hands on it!…I am so excited!…
October 27th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Seattle Subsonic » Deerhunter (with Real Estate!) Tonight At The Showbox : Seattle's Music Blog said:
[...] I don’t have much time today, but it’d be a big fat FAIL if I didn’t mention the Deerhunter show tonight at the Showbox Market. The Athens, GA band is touring in support of their latest album, Halcyon Digest, whose little throwback poster promo idea I fell victim to back in July. The band’s 4th LP is not quite on par with previous releases Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. or Cryptograms, but that’s mostly because the band took a slightly different route this time around. Eschewing the veils of smeared noise and ambient interludes, Halcyon Digest is much more straightforward in its method. “Revival”, “Don’t Cry” “Memory Boy”, “Fountain Stairs” are all fun, soulful pop ditties and the band’s love for that 50s bubblegum sound is tightly tethered throughout. It’s not without it’s weird moments, thankfully, with the noisome, shaky “Earthquake”, the eerie ghoul-pop of “Basement Scene”, and the richest, most emotional song they’ve penned yet: “Helicopter”. Watch the psychotropic faux-claustrophobia video for that one here. [...]