“Microcastle,” the third album from Atlanta-based Deerhunter, has drawn some hefty comparisons. The obvious talking points among these references are My Bloody Valentine, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead. While they may not directly sound all that much like Radiohead, Deerhunter has much in common with Thom Yorke’s crew — the music of both bands can be regarded as experimental and dynamic, and both have a front man who looks perpetually emaciated.
Deerhunter is not, however, like any other act we’ve seen emerge from the Atlanta music scene in recent history. Labeled by many as ‘ambient punk,’ they incorporate a wide range of genres from noise-rock to post-punk, creating a unique sound that even the nearby music Mecca of Athens, Georgia (R.E.M., Of Montreal) has never before witnessed. Their live performances have been referred to by Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs as bordering on “a religious experience.”
Deerhunter’s debut album mostly consisted of songs which melted into drawn-out ambient noise; their second release seemed to be at its best when it flirted with structure. With “Microcastle”, the band has harnessed the raw instrumentation of their previous efforts to craft beautifully damaged pop songs such as “Never Stops,” an upbeat track that mixes fuzzy garage rock with the spacey nature of ambient rock. At a slim three minutes, it is the highlight of the album.
“Agoraphobia” serves as a testament to Deerhunter’s development from drawn out ambient music into a band capable of writing songs that fit into heavy rotation at college radio stations around the country. “Nothing Ever Happens,” “Saved By Old Times” and “Agoraphobia” are all catchy standout tracks, but the album is solid from top to bottom; to only highlight certain tracks is a disservice to the remainder of the album.
“Microcastle” trims away the long winded fluff which plagued Deerhunter’s first two records, leaving an album that is intricate and subtle without inducing boredom from the listener. It’s clearly their best effort yet as a band, and one of the best albums of the year.
