Deerhunter at Lee's Palace; Wednesday November 12, 2008

Deerhunter at Lee's Palace; Wednesday November 12, 2008

Deerhunter is an ever-evolving band. One that has every aspiration to stray one way but just as able to run the opposite direction. It took their new album to pull me in as a listener, but i've always been taken by their live show. Earlier this year i saw Bradford Cox's solo project called Atlas Sound at the Horseshoe Tavern. Atlas Sound sounds very similar to Deerhunter. They opened the show with the tune “Cover Me (Slowly)”. I could not have thought of a better opener. It was no coincidence that it is also the opener on the latest album 'Microcastles'. The album came out close to a month ago, just enough time to get a feel of the music but people are still on edge at the show. It's pretty remarkable that this band can pretty well sell out Lee's Palace, they're bigger than I thought they were. Anyways, the song “Agoraphobia” is a straight up pop rock song, that flirts between vocals and a guitar part that follows through the entire song (with the exception of the chorus). Recorded Cox's vocals sound flawless, dare i say a bit Brit-popish. “Agoraphobia” follows an incredible intro that bears a title that shares words from the chorus of “Agoraphobia.” It's pretty epic, in a brief minute or so it builds, flourishes and diminishes, bleeding into the tune “Cover Me”. I really respect what Cox does with his voice. It's really different computer stuff aside. He's pretty innovative. In that first uncredited track Cox nearing the end of the tune has a voice bit that could easily fool a listener into thinking that it isn't a person but another instrument. He does it a bunch on both of their albums.The third tune they played was “Crytograms.” A prime example of a completely different direction in which Cox has led the band. His voice is emotionless and stale in this song. The guitar sounds like something out of a Smith's song, one that i wouldn't particularly care for. Live they put this together really well. Before this song, a few guys in the front row yelled for Cox to turn up his vocals, he immediately prompted the sound guy to do so. I wish that my two favourite songs could have had more vocals. The tune “Cryptograms” was strong enough to have an entire album named after it, i'd be a little wry to do so. This song does absolutely nothing for me. 'Microcastles' has a huge burst of clarity that 'Cryptograms' seriously lacks. Of the people i have spoken to about 'Crytograms' and interview with the band, there's a general consensus that the album fosters emotions. Cox himself claimed that you have to be in a certain mood to listen to his music. I think 'Microcastles' does not share that trait in the way 'Crytograms' does. 'Microcastles' is a bunch more accessible that 'Crytograms'. A very technical paragraph.“Never Stops” is a solid song. It has a pulsating beat to it that keeps people into it, whether they know it or not. I love when artists make the instrumentation to subtly reflect the words and intentions. There's a point around the middle of the song where Cox says: “Never Stops....” and there's a pause. On the album this is done perfectly, life it's a little messy, but the intent to stop was there. I adore the song “Microcastle,” it's slow, almost dead. Cox's vocals meander with the music, straying directionless. The beginning of the song is minimal with very simple guitar parts. The lead guitar follows his voice throughout, mimicking the same melody and sound, a very pretty minute detail. It eventually builds up into a grand music bit about half way through the song. It's ushered in by a solid drum beat throughout. My favourite tune of the night was “Twilight at Carbon Lake.” A ridiculously slow and drab ditty that is very fragile sounding. It has an old vibe to it that sets it apart from the other songs on the album. Live he used much less tools to alter his voice, it sounded a bit more natural. Cox said in an interview that he has recently tried to emulate an older sixties soul sound. He followed that statement by saying that when he tries doing something it sounds completely different. I get the sound he was trying to go for, it's reflected a bunch in the trailing guitar lines and the lazy vocals. He does pretty well for an odd looking white guy. From his speaking voice one would never know he could do so much with it. I think juxtaposing two “Noise Rock” bands—Deerhunter and their openers Times New Viking. I would draw a big comparison to the tight sound that Deerhunter has, Times' sound is sloppy. Personally, I am really bored with girls in rock bands who can't hold their own. The girl in Times can't sing and she putters on her synth throughout the set. I feel the same way about Crystal Castles' Alice Glass. Times New Viking are noisy but they don't have a good enough sound to make concise noise. They've joined the helvetica trend glorifying a font, watch out American Apparel!Deerhunter's sound is as i said before very tight. Deerhunter is a five piece group but put together so well. I really dug Atlas Sound when i saw them, but it's clear that Atlas Sound is Cox's solo project. A different energy and feel that Deerhunter puts forth.

November 13, 2008