album of the week: 3.1

Deerhoof vs Evil

Polyvinyl (2011)

why you'll love it: Positive and colorful songwriting approach.

why you'll hate it: Too short, the singing still scares most people away.

If you felt an ominous disturbance last year, an inexplainable feeling of something askew, It may have been Deerhoof's departure from Kill Rock Stars. It's hard to imagine Deerhoof's last 5 albums being released on any label but KRS. 2012 is right around the corner! I'm sure Nostrodamus mentioned something about "After one become two, a noisy melody will point in a new direction." And what's this? The Polyvinyl logo! Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria!

Or Deerhoof Vs Evil could be business as usual. The message of this new venture into the unknown is a great big DON'T PANIC. Deerhoof vs Evil is pretty much a love album. Sarcastic and atonal, as usual; but also quite warm and welcoming. There are a lot more instruments (especially acoustic ones), and a more positive atmosphere; but this is surely a result of the direction intended for the album, and not a result of the label change. Right off the bat, they throw everything at you in "Qui Dorm, Només Somia", almost to give fans that "oh my god, what?" reaction. You can breathe a sign of relief as the song continues. Unpredictable song structure, and Satomi Matsuzaki singing in Catalan. Discomfort has never felt so comforting.

For a Deerhoof album, this album is quite easy on the ears; but is certainly doesn't offer the accessibility to newcomers Friend Opportunity (2007) had. Unless you are an addict that can only get satisfaction out of their most abrasive material, this album is a real treat for the fans. It's very fun without compromising anything they usually do. For the first time, I've taken an immediate shine to some of the lyrics, especially in "I Did Crimes For You" and "The Merry Barracks". This is a short album, especially after I found myself throwing away a couple really slow songs. "No One Asked To Dance" justifies itself for its mariachi kind of instrumentation; but not so much "Almost Everyone, Almost Always". I never have been able to get into Greg's songs. I think "Cast off Crown" is the only one of his I've ever really enjoyed.

Despite its length, I enjoy this album a lot. Every Deerhoof album has its own story to tell. Some have made a bigger artistic splash, like Milk Man (2004). Some are just Deerhoof being Deerhoof, like The Runners Four (2005). The heavy themes of love/destruction, kindness/chaos on this album sum up the band quite well. I'm not sure if Evil gets defeated here, or if I want to see either side win. Their relationship is like Batman and The Joker. From Satomi's cherished and hated voice, to Greg's catchy but unpredictable drumming style - if there was no radical juxtaposition in Deerhoof songs, they wouldn't be any fun!