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[Touch Me Im Sick]

What albums should I download to start off with?

[Tom]

Friend Opportunity is incredibly accessible.

[Touch Me Im Sick]

I've heard Panda Panda Panda already, pretty neat song.

[imapiratearg]

Runners Four or Milk Man.

[october1983]

Friend Opportunity is a great place to start, as well as a great album, but man...Runners Four,

[Thrillho]

Don't be ridiculous, NO-ONE listens to Deerhoof on THIS forum. 

[Be My Head]

Runners Four would be my choice for a first album. Twin Killers fucking kills live too

[Oli]

I still think Apple O' is my favourite but Revielle is an absolute masterpiece. The Eyebright Bugler is 42 seconds of genius.

I'm looking forward to the new album, Offend Maggie, that's out in October. Deerhoof are also positively phenomenal live.

[squawk]

Runners Four would be my choice for a first album. Twin Killers fucking kills live too

I concur very wholeheartedly with both of these statements

[imagist42]

guys I think deerhoof tries too hard

that's all I'm sayin

[mattgcn]

I just listened to "The Runners Four" today and I'd recommend it hard right after Friend Opportunity (if you enjoy it, that is).

[Melodic]

Man do I hate Deerhoof. I understand the whole "bad is good" thing that we constantly preach here, but Deerhoof is just so terribly inaccessible.

[october1983]

The amount Deerhoof tour is kind of terrifying, sometimes. There was a point last year where they kept popping up on bills for gigs around London. Considering they're from the states, the frequency with whic they played in London alone was phenomenal, and I don't think we saw much more of them than any other large city might have expected to. The only other band I can remember being quite so relentless in a similar time period was Dirty Projectors. Both those bands deserve all kinds of respect just for being so goddamned hardworking.

[valley_parade]

I think Deerhoof have the rocking out thing down pretty well, but I cannot stand that woman's voice. I'd likely be a fan, otherwise.

[Oli]

Man do I hate Deerhoof. I understand the whole "bad is good" thing that we constantly preach here, but Deerhoof is just so terribly inaccessible.

There is a huge difference between unconventional and bad. Obviously they are not for everyone and that's fine, but trying to argue that they aren't talented is a big crock of shit.

[greenMonkey]

Yeah, have you seen Greg Saunier play drums?  If that's not talent then I don't know what is.

[imagist42]

I thought my meaning was pretty clear. I wasn't suggesting that being hardworking was a fault, more that I think they try so hard for that quirky, unconventional sound and it just doesn't work for me.

I know they are really talented and dedicated and respectable people. I wish I could play drums like Greg Saunier. Just, every time I listen to them I feel they are dedicated to the wrong thing.

[Be My Head]

To be fair, Greg doesn't have great control and goes a little crazy live sometimes and starts letting sticks fly. But most of the time he plays some really sweet beats, yes.

[Alex C]

I think Deerhoof have the rocking out thing down pretty well, but I cannot stand that woman's voice. I'd likely be a fan, otherwise.

This. Twin Killers has an incredible groove, but her voice is like stabbing my ear drums with an ice pick.

[imagist42]

I thought my meaning was pretty clear. I wasn't suggesting that being hardworking was a fault, more that I think they try so hard for that quirky, unconventional sound and it just doesn't work for me.

No they don't. They're a rock'n'roll band.

One of their singers is Japanese I guess? Is that really "quirky"?

The vocals are pretty quirky (and it's not just the Japan in them, dude), in that you might find them oddly endearing or wind up extremely put off. But you'd really call "The Pickup Bear" a conventional rock'n'roll song? It is basically only in the last few albums that you could call their songwriting something other than unusual (notice everyone recommending Friend Opportunity and Runners Four as opposed to, say, Half Bird), but as I've said in past discussions about Deerhoof, my idea of the band was admittedly soiled by then.

Look, I'm not saying it is terrible to like them. In fact they probably deserve admiration more than a lot of other bands that get it. But that thing they do? It is not for me.

[squawk]

I don't know why people have a problem with Satomi's singing voice. It isn't intolerably bad or anything, just slightly weird! Once you get past the initial "oh god what the hell is this" phase you can tell that she is actually a pretty good singer, but she also has a lot of fun just soundin' like a fobby kid for some reason. Sometimes when she's making weird noises it seems like they utilize her voice as another instrument.

[Oli]

The vocals are pretty quirky (and it's not just the Japan in them, dude), in that you might find them oddly endearing or wind up extremely put off. But you'd really call "The Pickup Bear" a conventional rock'n'roll song? It is basically only in the last few albums that you could call their songwriting something other than unusual (notice everyone recommending Friend Opportunity and Runners Four as opposed to, say, Half Bird), but as I've said in past discussions about Deerhoof, my idea of the band was admittedly soiled by then.

I'd say one of the main differences between halfbird and later albums like the runners four is in production values rather than song style. Obviously there are differences in style but not to as large an extent as I think you're implying and I think it's largely due to growth as a band and the changing line-up. I really don't see any deerhoof tracks as any more unusual or inaccessable than a lot of hardcore or indie pop.

[blanktom]

Deerhoof are the new Slint.

[TheFuriousWombat]

      wha?
      /
 

[hapaxLegomina]

Thanks guys. Thanks for reminding me how much I occasionally love Deerhoof. Now I have to go get MORE. Jeez.

[squawk]

a bloo bloo blooooooo

[valley_parade]

Sometimes when she's making weird noises it seems like they utilize her voice as another instrument.

But I already have Sigur Ros to do that for me. 

[Melodic]

Man do I hate Deerhoof. I understand the whole "bad is good" thing that we constantly preach here, but Deerhoof is just so terribly inaccessible.

There is a huge difference between unconventional and bad. Obviously they are not for everyone and that's fine, but trying to argue that they aren't talented is a big crock of shit.

I'm certainly not trying to argue that they aren't talented, because they certainly are: I just can't for the life of me get into their music on any level.

PEE ESS: Maybe "bad is good" is a bad way to describe the music found here, but I will say that almost any music I've purchased as a direct result of these forums has only sounded good after repeated listenings. I had to crawl my way through Clap Your Hands Say Yeah for weeks before I actually liked them.

[Be My Head]

I know, personally, there are very few bands I love right off the bat. It usually takes a while, I listen to it, leave it for a while and then come back to it again later and I usually enjoy it a lot more the second listen.

[Aleril]

Should I see them live?

[squawk]

oh hell yes. well. i don't know who has seen them recently with their latest guitarist/material but they are excellent musicians and performers, as evidenced by the free untitled EP.

[FireAarro]

asdfdshghgh you will regret forever missing any deerhoof shows.

[Spluff]

I think Deerhoof have the rocking out thing down pretty well, but I cannot stand that woman's voice. I'd likely be a fan, otherwise.

I'd really like them without that voice. If she were an instrument, she'd probably be an out-of-tune kazoo.

[Touch Me Im Sick]

I'm listening to Friend Opportunity right now, and I will say this:

1) I don't get the hate for the singer's vocals. They're actually work well with the music.
2) They're awesomely uncovnentional
3) I think if Slint were on acid and had keyboards, they'd sound like Deerhoof

Good stuff thanks guys 

[Alex C]

I am genuinely baffled by the derision.

It's pretty baffling in my case. There's a certain timbre to her voice that causes an awkward feeling in my ears that can border upon the physically painful if it's played above a fairly low volume. I can actually like her voice for 90% of a song, and then she hits various notes and my ears kinda hurt. For example, in Twin Killers, the first couple of marks are at the 45-49 second mark and then again at 54-56 seconds; I've never managed to get farther in the song despite how much I enjoy the groove because Twin Killers is a particularly onerous example of the phenomenon. I am not exagerrating about the painful part; I have found deerhoof to be easier to listen to and can actually enjoy her voice somewhat if I hum along loudly or wear ear plugs. The end result is I don't know if it's some kind of psychosomatic thing or if I actually need to engage acoustic reflex to avoid the rough spots when listening to her. It's too bad, really; like I said, I can actually enjoy her voice when it isn't randomly electroshocking my ears.

[gardenhead_]

Guys: they released the title track as a single! Stereogum has it here: http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-deerhoof-offend-maggie_020151.html

It's fantastic as usual.

[tuna ketchup x]

Ooh, I can't wait to get home and download this!

I only own Friend Opportunity, but I like it a lot. I agree that Satomi's voice is being used as more of an instrument/accompaniment, and while my music tastes are usually lyrics-oriented, in this case I can get into the music without decipherable or sensical lyrics. It's challenging music, definitely, but somewhere around the third listen it clicked and I was like "this is pretty sweet!" But then, I like Plastic Ono Band too, so maybe I just have a higher tolerance for difficult Japanese singers. I should get more Deerhoof records.

I also think that "trying too hard" is just a phrase used by people who didn't think of doing it first.

[JediBendu]

Deerhoof is a band that, when you're 40, the younger generation will think you're cool for being into them when you were a kid.

I'm positive of it.

[michaelicious]

That new song is so good. I didn't think I could possibly be more excited for the new album.

[IronOxide]

I think Deerhoof have the rocking out thing down pretty well, but I cannot stand that woman's voice. I'd likely be a fan, otherwise.

I'd really like them without that voice. If she were an instrument, she'd probably be an out-of-tune kazoo.

I disagree with this analogy wholeheartedly on a basis of timbre. People are not thrown by Satomi's vocals because of a lack of ability or skill, she just has a purity (albeit thin) in her voice that people do not seem to take a liking to. If you listen, she sings with very little to no vibrato, and is generally flawless in her execution.

[FireAarro]

Actually I reckon she's often off pitch. Still love her though.

[Be My Head]

So I guess "Offend Maggie" has leaked recently. I've yet to listen, but I really wanna see them again, I hope they tour Canada for this one.

Anyone listened to it yet?

[Kai]

After ten minutes of debating with myself, I caved and downloaded it. I'm only in about two tracks, but oh man I am super pumped as it is.

[michaelicious]

I downloaded it too, but I haven't unzipped it. I think I might Do The Right Thing and wait to buy it.

[KharBevNor]

Man, OK, can someone please, please once and for all just clearly explain to me what people find so noteworthy about this bands drummer.

I could just dismiss them easily if it weren't for that. That just genuinely bugs me.

[Dimmukane]

I think he has ADHD?

It's more that he's fun to watch than anything else, I think.

[FireAarro]

Khar, are you denying that his playing style is unusual? I can't imagine how you could support that.

[tuna ketchup x]

Man, OK, can someone please, please once and for all just clearly explain to me what people find so noteworthy about this bands drummer.

Well, he's classically trained. And his drumming is, well, interesting. I don't usually pay much attention to the drumming on albums, but the two things that really stand out for me on Friend Opportunity are his drums and Satomi's voice. He isn't just there to keep the beat like so many drummers, he uses the drums as an instrument in their own right.

I can't wait to get the CD, I pre-ordered it from KRS. I don't know if there's still copies of it there, but the first 500 people to pre-order get a limited edition paper copy of the sheet music. Maybe I will try playing along with the record on my keyboard! (Since that is the only instrument I can read sheet music for.)

[KharBevNor]

Khar, are you denying that his playing style is unusual? I can't imagine how you could support that.

He hits the drums quite hard?

That's all I can pick up.

Also I don't feel like dissapointing you but the drums are not a classical instrument.

I mean he is not a bad drummer but nothing to wank on about.

[tuna ketchup x]

Also I don't feel like dissapointing you but the drums are not a classical instrument.

Wiki: In 1991, the classically trained Saunier, directly after graduating from conservatory, moved to San Francisco and joined a short-lived quartet called Nitre Pit, on drums.

And yes, they are.