Communication Breakdown

In that easily bypassed crevice of bands you’ve never heard of and noise-rock you’re not quite sure can be considered music, Deerhoof is the type of band who maximizes all parameters to esoteric. Their most recent endeavor, the 12th studio album, Breakup Song, brings us 11 tracks of obscure harmonic experimentation in a style only Deerhoof could properly execute.

Where does one start on a Deerhoof album? The title track rings in Breakup Song with heavy grinding guitar and haunting vocals chanting, “When you say it’s all over… anyway.” The repetition of phrases, as well as rhythmic loops, provide a surreal backdrop for the arbitrary instrumental progression wackiness throughout the album. Dissonance is abundant and roams freely on every song like a grazing gazelle. Standout track, “The Trouble with Candyhands”, begins with jazzy horns before abruptly switching over to catchy guitar, piano, and cutesy chorus’; but the overall motif of the album is its weird factor.

One thing you can count on Deerhoof for is to deliver some of the most experimental harmonies available. Their brand of noise –pop is made unique by way of Satomi Matsuzaki’s j-pop reminiscent vocals. While not necessarily a bad album by any respect, Breakup Song is absolutely an esoteric niche. Whether this sounds like your kind of thing or not, bonus points are awarded here for disregarding all tangent musical paradigms.