Deerhunter – Rainwater Cassette Exchange

Well, Deerhunter are swiftly becoming this generation’s Pixies. Bradford Cox may not be the demented wordsmith that Frank Black once was, but there are definitely parallels. It’s not just the lyrical fixation on Biblical violence, the use of dynamics, or the theremin in “Famous Last Words.” It’s the compressed songwriting.

Pop and its investers have always been fond of brevity, especially with radio hits from the 1960s (an era to which Deerhunter owes a great debt). But in the case of the group’s career trajectory, the Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP marks a welcome foray into concision. If Microcastle, which tidied the ambiance of Cryptograms, hinted at discretion, then this release embraces it. There are no interludes, suites or reprises here, just naked songs.

It’s not just shorter song lengths, though. Like Pixies, Deerhunter’s strength isn’t virtuosity, it’s knowing what parts to play, and when. Moses Archuleta’s drumming has never sounded so punchy, so immediate, especially on the EP’s highlight, “Circulation.” The same goes for Josh Fauver and his wonderful melodic bass lines. No song is lost inside effects pedals (though they’re all sticky with delay), and these songs are cleaner because of it. The band, and Cox especially, has discovered that simple can be weird too.

Deerhunter – Circulation

Related posts:

1. “Logos” is More of the Same, But Better
2. Song of the Day – Parts & Labor