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Here’s an extremely long and overwrought post about Deerhunter’s Monomania that I’m about to lay on you guys. Hopefully some of you read it and it stirs up some discussion. Here we go…
Let’s get this out of the way, Deerhunter is my favorite band by a long shot and they have been for a long time. I first heard them shortly after Turn it Up I'm an idiot!!! came out. The first time I heard “Adorno”, I got excited. It was in the middle to late period of the Dance-Punk craze and I thought it obliterated the Rapture’s “House of Jealous Lovers” with its nastiness. It was more punk than dance, noisier, rawer, that bassline, “so self-destructive.” I knew right away that this band was going to be more than a local favorite. If any of you remember DC++ as a way to download music, you may have come across me raving about them constantly during that time (much like nowadays on Inforoo). Then the “Strange Lights” single from the forthcoming Cryptograms LP was posted on the Deerhunter Myspace and I was officially a rabid fan. Every release they've put out has special meaning to me. I love every one of them, some more than others (I’m talking about Halcyon Digest, but more on that later).
Although Monomania was the most I have ever anticipated any album ever, I knew nothing about it. There were no hints, no snippets, no live shows road testing the material. There was a Spin interview with Bradford Cox some time ago about being into turn of the century music that no one would actually believe would end up on the record. Late last year I saw a show by a “new band” as Bradford said called Night Masks. The lineup consisted of Bradford Cox (vocals, guitar), Locket Pundt (guitar), Frankie Boyles (bass), and Paul McPherson (drums). Frank kept a simple steady through the Cox/ Lox assault of some kind of union of garage, krautrock , and noise rock guitars. After I learned of Josh Favurer (bassist) leaving the band, I thought what I saw could have been the Deerhunter’s new direction with a new lineup in a secret show guise. Nope, Deerhunter surprised me again.
We all got a taste of the new album from Deerhunter’s bizarro live performance on Fallon. A friend of mine joked around about how Bradford is going to take the opportunity to make it weird and he did. The next day we laughed thinking about how the vast majority of the Fallon audience probably has no idea who Deehunter is, and this weirdo with bandaged fingers is acting like the biggest rock star in the world.
This brings me to a huge, key difference between Monomania and other Deerhunter albums – swagger. This time out we get big chords, big strums, sing along choruses, and tunes to tap our fingers and shake our hips. There’s in your face guitar rawk, beer dranking, bar band ditties, lounge music, a style that could only be made hip by a high dose of over confidence, and early Strokes- like cool. We’ve heard Deerhunter go into Strokes territory before on Rainwater Cassette Exhange. Something I find funny about this is I had a conversation with Bradford Cox after a show from Thee Oh Sees and we were talking about Bonnaroo. He started giving his very negative opinion of the Strokes (anybody who has read a Bradford interview knows this guy can is opinionated and likes to ramble). I said, “But their first two albums are fantastic.” He then went into spiel about how “The first two albums!” are so great.
Under the noise and 8-track production, Monomania is very much an Americana roots rock album, but not in the popular mainstream landscape sense (Mumford, etc.). Tracks like “Pensacola”, “Dream Captian”, and “Sleepwalking” feel more traditional. But don’t get me wrong, nothing here is so traditional and straightforward that it’s boring. Deerhunter don’t allow for that and always keep things interesting. In fact, Monomania has the most punk attitude we’ve seen from the band since Cryptograms.
By what I've read on the internet the past couple weeks, I think I’ve come up with a consensus of sorts. Those that came to Deerhunter early, really enjoy Monomania, while those that came late, want more Halcyon Digest or consider this to be a grower of an album. Something that I find very interesting to me personally, is how oppositely Monomania has affected me from the Halcyon fans. Halcyon Digest was the only Deerhunter release that I wasn't head over heels for me. I found it very good, but perhaps too shiny and perfect in a way that took away Deerhunter’s early punk spirit. But after spending time with Monomania, I've gone back to Halcyon and it finally clicked with me. Maybe because now I know it wasn't a permanent change and they would go back to being the raw band that I love, I fully accept the album for what it is.
Also, Monomania was not grower for me. From the get go I thought this may be their strongest release, yet. But, every time I listen to it I have a new favorite song. This thing is so jammed packed with hooks; any one tune can stay with you for hours. There are 10 tracks, hell, maybe all 12, that any one person can claim as their favorite song on the album and they wouldn't be wrong. Monomania is that strong. I will say this though; “Monomania” is one the best songs they ever put together and “T.H.M.” is one of the most interesting songs to come out in some time.
The only criticisms I can come up with don’t say anything negatively about the actual music and there are two. First, The Missing doesn't sound like it belongs on the album. It’s a fantastic song and a treat we have come to expect on Deerhunter releases where we get to hear Lockett Pundt (Lotus Plaza) take the spotlight. But the dreamy production doesn't exactly fit with the rawness found on the rest of the album. Second, Nitebike, also a great song, sounds more like something to be found on an Atlas Sound record since it sounds pretty much like solo Bradford Cox. But, I’m just nitpicking here. And, oh, I miss the nasty low end of bassist Josh Fauver.
Monomania marks yet another change in sound from Deerhunter, something you should expect by now. Every one of their albums doesn’t necessarily try improve the sound of Deerhunter, they shift stylistically. One of the most exciting parts about waiting for the album to come out was wondering what it type of sound it would have. It turns out it sounds glorious. Monomania may very well be their best album and if it weren't for how much Cryptograms already means to me, I would call it my favorite. Strong words for a band with a discography as terrific as good or better of any band of the post 2000’s.
Good write up dude. Interesting to hear your take because of how big of a fan you are.
The Missing is my favorite track on the album if that says anything about my preferences.
Thanks!
My quip about it is nothing to do with is not being a great song. As the "token" Lockett track it just doesn't fit as seamlessly as on previous albums. "Agoraphobia", "Neither of Us, Uncertainly", and "Desire Lines" all have perfect placement. Speaking of "Desire Line", it has always been my favorite on Halcyon Digest. My wife's, too. Fun fact: Lockett is my wife's rock star crush. She once saw him outside of her hair salon and she tried to bring him in by giving him a free haircut coupon. That dirty skank.
Good write up dude. Interesting to hear your take because of how big of a fan you are.
The Missing is my favorite track on the album if that says anything about my preferences.
Thanks!
My quip about it is nothing to do with is not being a great song. As the "token" Lockett track it just doesn't fit as seamlessly as on previous albums. "Agoraphobia", "Neither of Us, Uncertainly", and "Desire Lines" all have perfect placement. Speaking of "Desire Line", it has always been my favorite on Halcyon Digest. My wife's, too. Fun fact: Lockett is my wife's rock star crush. She once saw him outside of her hair salon and she tried to bring him in by giving him a free haircut coupon. That dirty skank.
Yeah I love Desire Lines too. Basically, I meant that I like the dreamier stylings of Deerhunter, although I do enjoy Monomania.
I've only discovered Deerhunter right before their amazing Bonnaroo appearance, and I quite enjoy Monomania
I was a little worried this was going to be a trashing when you prefaced it by saying you were a big fan. Haha.
I've seen many great Deerhunter performances, but their Bonnaroo set was one of their best. They seriously brought the krauty jams with them. I still can't hear the phrase "How about that?" without thinking about that night. Bradford was telling a story about someone from Muuur-feees-borr-o and then repeatedly asked "How about thattt! Dude is so weird.
And, no way would I trash an album as great as Monomania!
I've been considering becoming completely obsessed with Deerhunter for a while now.
No better time than now. On your Deerhunter journey, remember don't forget the other, somewhat lesser talked about releases, such as Fluorescent Grey, Weird Era Cont., and Rainwater Cassette Exchange. Turn it up F*****t is not exactly essential, but it's cool to see where they were early on.
It's a lot grittier than their last release, which I LOVED. Definitely not a bad thing but there's not as many catchy tracks as their were on Halcyon. Just such a solid album, as was Microcastle. I'm sure it'll sink in soon but after the last 3 or so listens there's quite a good chunk that hasn't been as impressive to me as their last efforts. I do however love Back to the Middle. Really solid track. There's always one track on their album that seems to stand above the rest for me. For instance Revival on Halcyon or Agoriphobia on Micro.
Wish they were playing Roo this year Or atleast Atlas Sound.
Thursday June 9th, 2011 was my first day at Bonnaroo ever. This was a time before i know inforoo existed, and was dlightly more shut in when it came to my musical tastes. I remember i was excited to see Band of Skulls. I liked The Walkmen. I didn't really know what to think of Deerhunter at the time, I hadn't really explored the Bonnaroo line up such as I do now, but decided That Tent was suitable for my first night. Thinking back now, I think my feelings of euphoria and the surge of excitement of realizing I was actually there really clouded my memory of this set, (tho i remember creaming my pants snd being pretty blown away, but that happened a lot that weekend). then pile on the rest of the memories of my 1st Roo, and here we are. After reading your post, I picked up Cryptograms, and I think this is the first time since that night that I have listened to Deerhunter. Yeah yeah, I know, how's that possible, you guys talk about them soo much, I guess I just kept putting it off. Monomania is preordered,
This article discusses Bradford Cox's antics that he is known for. What I find more interesting, is that we finally get a little more information about the departure of bassist Josh Fauver. pitchfork.com/features/articles/9122-deerhunter/
Monster, I've never listened to Deerhunter. I'm gonna give them a try today. What album should I start with?
They were amazing last night! Great great show with plenty of extended, reverberated jamming. The setlist was about 75% Monomania, but as you said it's a great album. They opened with Cryptogram!
Suggested start is Halycon Digest, then Microcastle. Microcastle is my favorite. I bought the Microcastle/Weird Era combo vinyl last night, and Bradford, Moses, and Lockett all signed it after the show. They were very nice and normal people
Edit: They were all nice, cool, hospitable people. I don't know if they can be considered "normal" necessarily. If anyone is concerned by his appearance as Connie Lungpin on Fallon, he looked as healthy and nice as I think he is physically able to look. On stage, he didn't look frail at all. He had a strong stage presence.
Monster, I've never listened to Deerhunter. I'm gonna give them a try today. What album should I start with?
I usually start off all of my friends with Microcastle. It's got great extended guitar rock jams that blow people away as well as the dream pop that so many would later fall in love with on Halcyon.
This is pretty close. It would vary slightly day to day, except for Spring Hall Convert, which is my favorite song ever. 1.Spring Hall Convert 2.Nothing Ever Happened 3.Monomania 4.Lake Somerset 5.Saved by Old Times 6.Wash Off 7.Neon Junkyard 8.Desire Lines 9.Cryptograms 10.Calvary Scars II
Or atleast Atlas Sound.
