Deerhunter-10/1/10 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

With the release of Halcyon Digest now out to the public this past Tuesday and getting rave reviews. Deerhunter is already becoming one of the hottest acts in the indie music scene. On October 1, 2010, the band returns home to play at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. For me, this will be my third time seeing them. The big difference between my previous attendance to their shows were the fact that they were the opening act. Almost four years ago, they were just a quintet opening for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs just before they would emerge with their second album Cryptograms. Less than two years later, they opened for my favorite band in Nine Inch Nails just months before their third album Microcastle was to come out with the companion record Weird Era Cont.

While the first time I saw them, the band had technical problems while they were very loud. The second time, not only did they get proper equipment but also got a better reaction from the audience though it was very modest. Now as a four-piece (due to Colin Mee’s departure in 2007 and briefly replaced by Whitney Petty), the band is already riding a huge buzz despite the fact that the band isn’t getting a lot of press from the more major publications in Atlanta, notably the Atlanta-Journal Constitution that barely mentions the group. Yet, the band will be playing to a faithful audience as they will be joined by three other lesser-known acts from Georgia. From Atlanta are Hollow Sounds and Dust Bunnies and from Athens, Henry Barbe.

At 8:30, Henry Barbe started with a 10-song set. The first two with a harmonium while the remainder was with a 3-string acoustic guitar. The last three songs were with an electric. The reaction was modest though did drag due to Barbe’s simplistic performance as it was a bit boring at times though the reception was decent. The second act at around 9:15 were the duo known as Dust Bunnies, a dreamy, shoe gaze group that played a seven song set. Three of which were covers of songs like Leonard Cohen’s Bird On A Wire, Bobby Darin’s Dream Lover with drum samples of the Jesus & Mary Chains’ Just Like Honey in the background, and to close their set was a cover of the Velvet Underground’s Sunday Morning. Featuring a female violinist and the vocalist playing keyboards and a theremin with psychedelic visuals as their back drop.  They definitely stood out and got a great reaction.

The third act is Hollow Sounds, an experimental/post-punk band featuring former Deerhunter guitarist Colin Mee on vocals/guitars/keyboards. The band played an 8 song set where at times, the rhythm guitarist wasn’t heard for the show (as I was in right front of the stage). They got a very good reception while I screamed just before they played “Are you from Stars Hollow?” as Mee replied “Yeah”.

After their performance with all of the other acts equipment out of the way to make way for Deerhunter. The curtains closed, as myself and others peered through under the curtains, where the band was doing sound check as they were playing some material including the bass line to a couple of Jane’s Addiction songs in Mountain Song and Three Days. Then the nights closed out as Deerhunter came on stage opening with Desire Lines.  While the noise of guitars drowned out a lot of the vocals, notably guitarist Lockett Pundt for the two songs he sings. The band made up for it with swirling lights and lots of enthusiasm during their set. Notably with bassist Josh Fauver moving around a lot along with vocalist/guitarist Bradford Cox.

A lot of the songs played were from Halcyon Digest. Two of which in Helicopter and He Would Have Laughed had Cox played an acoustic guitar with noise pedals for effects. Other songs played were Lake Somerset, Never Stops, and the title track for EP Rainwater Cassette Exchange. After a nine-song set, the band took a break with fans yelling for an encore where they got a surprise. For one night only, Colin Mee returns the band to play the three-song encore. It definitely got crazier and during the last song where everything got way overboard. With Mee playing upside down, Fauver dancing around, drummer Moses Archuleta keeps playing the drums, and Cox and Pundt both making a pose. Something incredible happens that can’t be put into words.



The fans suddenly were on stage (myself included) and man, that trumps all sorts of concert experiences. After all, fans just want to be part of the band so why not join them on stage? Just because a band is on stage doesn’t mean they’re better than you. After all, they’re playing to a group of fans admiring they’re favorite band. There is no barrier between band and fans. Deerhunter proved it that night and fans got something they will never forget.



This show more was more than just a concert but a celebration of Atlanta’s best band finally getting some recognition and coming home to the fans that adored them. And in return, they give them an experience like no other. Karen O was right, going to a Deerhunter is like a religious experience. Seriously, this is the band to go to see and it will definitely unforgettable. After all on October 1, 2010, Deerhunter became kings that night.

Henry Barbe: 3/5
Dust Bunnies: 4/5
Hollow Stars: 4/5
Deerhunter: 5/5

Set List: Desire Lines/Hazel St./Never Stops/Rainwater Cassette Exchange/Don’t Cry/Revival/Nothing Ever Happened/Fountain Stairs/Helicopter/He Would Have Laughed

Encore (w/ Colin Mee): Lake Somerset/Dr. Glass/Strange Things

Deerhunter Reviews: Cryptograms - Fluorescent Grey EP - Microcastle - (Weird Era Cont.) - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP - Halcyon Digest

Related: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-10/14/06 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle) - NIN/Deerhunter-8/13/08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza-The Floodlight Collective)

© thevoid99 2010

Deerhunter-Halcyon Digest

Since breaking through into the indie music scene with their 2007 sophomore album Cryptograms, the Atlanta-based ambient-punk band Deerhunter has become of the most exciting bands in recent years. EPs such as Fluorescent Grey and 2009’s Rainwater Cassette Exchange along with full-length albums in 2008’s Microcastle and Weird Era Cont. has made them darlings of the indie scene while the band was also selected to open for Nine Inch Nails for their 2008 tour on several shows. While side projects such as vocalist Bradford Cox’s Atlas Sound and guitarist Lockett Pundt’s Lotus Plaza has kept the group busy. The band continued to tour with other acts while making a new album with famed Animal Collective producer Ben H. Allen for their 2010 album Halcyon Digest.

Written and performed by Deerhunter with production by the band and Ben H. Allen, Halcyon Digest is an album that takes Deerhunter’s hypnotic, dreamy ambient-punk sound to new heights by adding electronic elements to their sound.  With the band, that also includes bassist Josh Fauver and drummer Moses Archuleta, expanding their sound. The record includes appearances from Bill Ogelsby and Chris McPherson to help broaden their sound. Lyrically, Bradford Cox delves into the world of nostalgia and death. Particularly the recent death of garage rock artist Jay Reatard in early 2010. Even as guitarist Lockett Pundt even sings on a couple of tracks to add his takes on the themes of the album. The result is a haunting yet extraordinary album by Deerhunter.

The opening track Earthquake is led by a slow, sputtering drum machine track that is followed by Lockett Pundt’s flourishing guitar wash as Bradford Cox sings in a calm, dreamy vocal. Featuring waves of guitar swirls and esoteric lyrics, the song is definitely a chilling yet shoegaze-inspired opener that delves into the band’s unique, ambient-punk sound. Don’t Cry is a mid-tempo track with driving guitar riffs in both acoustic and electric with a steady, bouncy rhythm section from Moses Archuleta’s drums and Josh Fauver’s bass. The song’s lyrics and Cox’s vocals delve into the loss of teenage innocence as it features a coda that slows the song down with a folky presentation.

The album’s first single Revival is a slow but upbeat mid-tempo track with bouncy rhythms and melodic chimes from guitars and keyboards. Cox’s soothing yet raspy vocals are filled with strange yet ghostly lyrics about nostalgia. Even as it shows the band’s ability to create something that can balance the unconventional with a dose of melodic pop. Sailing is a ballad led by soothing guitar strums by Pundt with warbling background noises as Cox sings in a calm vocal style with ethereal-laden lyrics that is filled with cosmic imagery. Memory Boy is an upbeat, bouncy track led by Pundt’s chime-swirling guitar melodies with chugging strums from Cox as he sings in his soothing rasp. Carried by the sparse but steady rhythm of Archuleta and Fauver, Cox gives the song a nice pop sensibility while it features some troubling lyrics of loss.

Desire Lines is a six-minute, forty-five second mid-tempo track led by Pundt’s melodic-chiming guitar track as he sings the song with his own dreamy vocal style. Featuring Archuleta’s steady yet pummeling mid-tempo drumming, Fauver’s heavy bass line, and Cox’s driving rhythm, the song really belongs to Pundt. Even as the song is filled with swirling guitars that includes an extended guitar solo as it is one of the album’s standout tracks. Basement Scene is a chilling track led by warbling wind sounds, a slow rhythm, and washy guitars as Cox sings haunting lyrics. Filled with nightmarish imagery along with themes of fear, the song can be described as the Everly Brothers meet the Velvet Underground in a grand way.

Helicopter is an electronic-laden track with chiming keyboard flourishes, slow clap beats, and swirling guitar textures. Cox’s esoteric lyrics matched with his somber vocals is really one of the album’s centerpieces. Even as it revels in Cox’s fragile persona as it is one of his best vocal performances with the band joining in to give a slow yet chilling performance with live instruments. Fountain Stairs is a bouncy, upbeat track sung by Pundt as he is accompanied by a calm yet steady rhythm and haunting lyrics. The shoegaze-inspired track is definitely reminiscent of early My Bloody Valentine as it includes a wonderful, wailing guitar solo from Pundt.

Coronado is a strange, upbeat track that features Bill Oglesby on saxophone and Chris McPherson on 12-string guitar. The upbeat yet raucous track has Cox sing in a growling rasp with eerie lyrics about death as it’s a song that revels in the chaotic presentation of the late Alex Chilton. The album closer is He Would Have Laughed which is a seven-and-a-half minute tribute to Jay Reatard. Led by a chiming harps, sputtering electronic-bass tracks, and swooning synthesizers, it is a song that revels in sadness. Featuring Archuleta’s slow, rumbling bass drums, Cox’s vocals as he reveals in the sense of fear and longing as the song features an extended coda of swirling chimes and swooning keyboards that serves as a fitting end with Cox playing an acoustic guitar asking where are his friends.

Halcyon Digest is definitely a marvelous album by Deerhunter featuring some excellent work from Ben H. Allen. Fans of the band will no doubt be happy that the band didn’t stray too far from their previous records while taking on a more streamlined yet hypnotic sound. Even as they add more pop elements that makes it their most accessible record to date. Audiences new to the band will no doubt be amazed by this band though Cryptograms remains their best work so far. In the end, Halcyon Digest is an album that definitely proves that Deerhunter is a band worth seeking out in the age of overly-processed mainstream pop music.

Deerhunter Reviews: Cryptograms - Fluorescent Grey EP - Microcastle - (Weird Era Cont.) - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP

Related Reviews: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-10/14/06 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle) - NIN/Deerhunter-8/13/08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza-The Floodlight Collective) - Deerhunter-10/1/10 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

© thevoid99 2010

Deerhunter-Rainwater Cassette Exchange

 Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 6/16/09

2008's Microcastle along with its accompanying bonus disc entitled Weird Era Cont. helped give Deerhunter much acclaim as they were considered one of the best indie bands in the genre. After getting some attention when they were personally selected by Trent Reznor to open for Nine Inch Nails on some dates, the buzz continued to thrive as the side projects of its individual members like vocalist/guitarist Bradford Cox's Atlas Sound and guitarist Lockett Pundt's Lotus Plaza managed to get attention as well. The Atlanta-based band, now a quartet that includes bassist Joshua Farver and drummer Moses Archuleta following Colin Mee's departure in late 2007, continues to delve into individual projects and the band as well. In 2008, the band went into a Brooklyn studio with producer Nicholas Vernhes to record a five-song EP that would showcase the growing sounds of the ambient-punk band entitled Rainwater Cassette Exchange.

Written and performed by Deerhunter and produced by Nicholas Vernhes, the Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP is a five-song EP of brand new material recorded from a 2008 session at a Brooklyn, New York studio. The five songs show the band's strange, esoteric, ambient-punk song taken into newer heights while adding more melodic sensibilities to their sound. The result isn't just some new transitional phase for the band but also the band's growing ability in songwriting and performance as they are becoming one of the most exciting bands to come around in the past few years.

The record opens with its title track, a loopy, melodic-swirling track filled with bouncy bass lines and guitar riffs with tingling percussions in the background. With Bradford Cox's dreamy vocals filled with esoteric lyrics, Moses Archuleta's thumping drums come in along with Lockett Pundt's soft, ringing guitar swirls. The song is filled with amazing production and layers of instrumentation in the guitars, bass, and drums as it's clear that this is a different record from the band than in their previous work. The first single Disappearing Ink is an upbeat, guitar-driven song with fast, charging guitar riffs and bouncy rhythms which includes Joshua Farver's wobbly bass line. With Cox's dreamy vocals and eerie lyrics, it's a song that shows new complexities from the band as it's an intense cut that is dream-like but also with a punk-like energy that most bands couldn't replicate.

Famous Last Words is a bouncy, upbeat song with thumping bass lines and drum parts that plays to Cox's raspy, nasally vocals filled with lyrics relating to death. With Pundt's ringing guitar solos along with swirling synthesizers in the background, it's a song that is carried by its superb production and the performance of the band itself. Games Of Diamonds is an acoustic cut with hollow percussions flourishes from Archuleta's bongos and smooth, washy acoustic guitar riffs. With some soothing, ethereal keyboards in the background, it's Cox's vocals filled with imagery-laden lyrics that really shine. Of all the songs in the record, this cut is the real standout as it shows a new versatility in the band with Pundt singing along to the chorus as he plays some amazing riffs to the acoustic guitar.

The last track on the record is Circulation, a thundering song with rumbling bass drum beats and arpeggio-swirling guitars filled with driving shoegaze-inspired guitars. Along with pounding bass lines, it's Cox's raspy vocals with its weird, dreamy lyrics along with Pundt's accompanying vocals that help the song. Even as its production help build up the track in the beginning as its ringing guitar melodies and intense performances with crashing drums and swirling guitar layers take shape into the song making it a fitting closer.

While it's only a record that lasts for 15 minutes, the Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP is still an amazing record from Deerhunter. For fans of the band who have been following them for the past few years will no doubt be amazed by the new material the band has created. With a new wave of bands coming out of Atlanta like Mastodon and Manchester Orchestra among others. It's clear that Deerhunter are the most interesting of all as they continue to push their ambient-punk sounds to new heights while not delving too far into the mainstream. In many respects, this is the band's most accessible record to date while it definitely ups the ante for what they could do next. In the end, the Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP is one of the 2009's best records from Atlanta's very own Deerhunter.

Deerhunter Reviews: Cryptograms - Fluorescent Grey EP - Microcastle - (Weird Era Cont.) - Halcyon Digest

Related Reviews: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-10/14/06 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle) - NIN/Deerhunter-8/13/08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza-The Floodlight Collective) - Deerhunter-10/1/06 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

(C) thevoid99 2010

Deerhunter-Microcastle

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 10/1/08

2007's Cryptograms and Fluorescent Grey EP put Deerhunter in the critical spotlight as the records drew attention from critics including Pitchfork Media. The Atlanta quintet, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Bradford Cox, guitarists Lockett Pundt and Colin Mee, bassist Josh Fauver, and drummer Moses Archuleta were riding the critical wave as well as attention of other bands as they opened for bands like TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fiery Furnaces, and most recently, were personally selected by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails to open for NIN in the band's 2008 Lights in the Sky tour for some dates. Though 2007 would see the departure of guitarist Colin Mee as he was replaced by Whitney Petty in 2008, Deerhunter did return to the studio in late 2007 as a quartet to record their third full-length album entitled Microcastle.

Written, produced, and performed by Deerhunter. Microcastle is an album that takes Deerhunter's unique sound of shoegaze, noise-driven rock with explorations into ambient music along with minimalist arrangements and Bradford Cox's complex, esoteric lyrics. Filled with more disjointed guitar melodies and drones along with unique rhythms and such. It's an album that is more simplistic and adventurous as Cox, Pundt, Fauver, and Archuleta create an album, though not as noise-laden as Cryptograms, that is potent and mesmerizing.

The album opens with the one-minute, twenty-two second intro-track entitled Cover Me (Slowly) with its slow, wailing guitar shimmers from Bradford Cox and Lockett Pundt's guitars with washy rhythms, thundering rhythms from bassist Josh Fauver and drummer Moses Archuleta. The track serves as a build-up for the next song on the album, Agoraphobia. The mid-tempo, arpeggio-laden song is led by its bouncy rhythm and layers of arpeggio guitar melodies as Bradford Cox sings soothingly with his fragile-laden vocals and such. With its simple rhythm and presentation, it's the band delving into something more melodic with an extended coda of arpeggio, soft-fuzz laden guitars. Never Stops is a bouncier track with scratchy guitar washes and Archuleta's thumping drums with a soft, blazing guitars as Cox's soft vocals lead the way. With its haunting lyrics, Pundt's wailing guitars and bouncy rhythm definitely shows the band taking a more mature approach to their sound.

Little Kids is a smooth, rhythmic track with washy, arpeggio guitar riffs and bounce-laden riffs as Cox's smooth, high-pitch raspy vocal style lead the track. With Cox's unique lyrics filled with child-like imagery and a pounding track that comes out towards the coda, it's a great little song. The album's title track is a serene ballad with Cox singing quietly with a soft, guitar strum in the background as after two minutes, it becomes a full-on band sound with pounding drums and wavy guitar riffs. Cavalry Scars is a short acoustic track with smooth plucks and Cox's atmospheric vocals filled with esoteric lyrics and dream-like vocal backgrounds. Green Jacket is a two-minute, dream-like track led by a piano accompaniment and sliding guitar chimes as Cox sings fragile, child-like lyrics with his raspy, dreamy, high-pitch vocal style. Activa is a short, near, two-minute track with percussion tings, acoustic accompaniments, and Cox's soft vocals filled with distorted background.

The first single Nothing Ever Happened is an upbeat, bass-pounding track led by Josh Fauver's bass and Moses Archuleta's rumbling beats with Cox and Locket Pundt's wavy guitars riffs. With its moody lyrics and Cox's smooth, high-pitch vocals, it's a track that has the band's unique noise-laden sound but in a more simplistic, rhythmic style that is almost poppy in a good way until a coda of noisy guitar fuzz solos and slides. Saved By Old Times is a bouncy, blues-inspired number led by a simple blues riff and thumping rhythms as voices appear during the song as the band continue to perform with Cox's unique vocals and esoteric lyrics.

These Hands is a washy, dream-like track led by its swift, rhythm guitars and a mid-tempo rhythm with Cox's low-sounding vocals with an atmospheric guitar/vocal background. Cox's esoteric lyrics are filled with imagery as it's a soothing song for the band until its warbling, loopy coda of strange, atmospheric noises. The album closer Twilight At Carbon Lake is a moody, haunting track with arpeggio-laden guitar melodies, smooth rhythms, and Cox's eerie, haunting vocal style filled with dreamy lyrics. The song starts to pick up a bit in rhythm and performance with its warbling guitar riffs and Cox's soft, high-pitch wail. Then comes this crashing coda with crashing symbols and beats with pounding guitar riffs as Cox wails through in this amazing end.

While not as noise-laden or as powerful as both Cryptograms and the Fluorescent Grey EP, Microcastle is still a much-worthy follow-up to those records. The album also proves that Deerhunter's recent critical success is no fluke and well deserved while also prove they're the real thing thanks to praises from more famous acts including Nine Inch Nails. Thanks to the band's unique sound of shoegaze, dream-pop, noise, and such along with Bradford Cox's amazing lyrics. Deerhunter is definitely a band on the rise and should be given attention. Though not as not as the duo of Cryptograms and Fluorescent Grey EP, Microcastle does prove that Deerhunter is a band to watch out for.

Deerhunter Reviews: Cryptograms - Fluorescent Grey EP - (Weird Era Cont.) - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP - Halcyon Digest

Related Reviews: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-10/14/06 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle) - NIN/Deerhunter-8/13/08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza-The Floodlight Collective) - Deerhunter-10/1/10 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse

(C) thevoid99 2010

Deerhunter-Fluorescent Grey EP

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/8/08

Following the release of 2007's Cryptograms, Deerhunter were on the verge of critical success as the indie, Internet site Pitchfork named them one of the best new bands of 2007. Their status was furthered even more when the band released a four-track EP entitled Fluorescent Grey. The sixteen-minute EP consisting of four tracks produced by Chris Bishop that enhances the band's unique, shoegaze sound along with their abrasive take on noise-rock and ambient music. With songs written by the band along with lyrics by Bradford Cox. The four-track EP is a wonderful accompaniment to the band's brilliant sophomore album.

The opening title track opens with a piano melody and thumping rhythm from Moses Archuleta's drums as Cox sings the song with his dark, descriptive lyrics. With jangly guitar plucks from Colin Mee and Lucky Pundt and a bouncy bass line from Josh Fauver, the track serves as a smooth yet rhythmic track until waves of noisy guitars emerge to create a chaotic sound with Cox's dreamy vocal leading the way. Dr. Glass is a more rhythmic song with thumping bass drums by Cox and percussions by Archuleta as a soothing keyboard track is playing as an accompaniment. With jangly guitars playing behind in the background, Cox sings as he channels his soothing vocal style through his eerie lyrics while the washy rhythm guitars continue to accompany the sound.

Like New is a dreamy track filled with waves of distorted, washy guitar tracks and melodic plucks as a smooth yet mid-tempo track is heard along with thumping bass lines as Cox sings in his cool, haunting vocal style. The song is truly a shoegaze song with a hypnotic style led by Cox's vocals as the guitars continue to create ethereal soundscapes that is truly powerful. The record closer Wash Off opens with a distorted jam that later becomes into a full-fledge song with a thumping back beat from Archuleta's drums and Fauver's pounding bass lines. With its jangly plucks on the guitar, Cox starts to sing as the song gets more intense as Cox becomes more menacing in his vocals. With Mee and Pundt's guitars becoming more intense and the drums get more confrontational, the song becomes a full-on rocker with spurts of distortion and Cox's vocals as he keeps singing "I was 16" throughout the song as it softens and then goes into full-on chaos.

While the EP is just over 16 minutes and with only four songs, the whole record itself is perfect since it plays up to the unique sound of Deerhunter. Yet, playing as an accompaniment to the album Cryptograms. The two records together as a whole makes for one unique listening experience that proves that they're one of the best new bands to come out of Atlanta and in the American indie music scene. The Fluorescent Grey EP also confirms that they're also worth the critical hype that they've been receiving as fans await for their new record coming in 2008.

Deerhunter Reviews: Cryptograms - Microcastle - (Weird Era Cont.) - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP - Halcyon Digest

Related Reviews: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-Atlanta, GA Tabernacle 10/14/06) - NIN/Deerhunter, Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena 8/13/08 - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza-The Floodlight Collective) - Deerhunter-Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse 10/1/10

(C) thevoid99 2010

Deerhunter-Cryptograms

Originally Written & Posted at Epinions.com on 5/6/08

Atlanta's Deerhunter is one of the new bands emerging from the indie music scene thanks to critical buzz, word-of-mouth, and support from other bands. The band led by its singer and main songwriter Bradford Cox is known for their noisy live show and Cox's abrasive stage presence. Also featuring drummer Moses Archuleta, guitarist Locket Pundt, bassist Josh Fauver (who had replaced original bassist Justin Bosworth who died from skateboarding injuries in 2004), and guitarist Colin Mee (who left in early 2008 and recently replaced by Whitney Petty). After 2004's self-titled debut that's also called Turn It Up Faggot, the band went on the road where in 2005, they recorded their second album that would give them the critical breakthrough. After a tour with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in late 2006, the album entitled Cryptograms was released in January 2007.

Produced by Chris Bishop with the songs written by the band with lyrics by Bradford Cox. Cryptograms is a unique album that mixes shoegaze, ambient, and no wave with Bradford Cox's unique lyrics ranging from dream-like experiences, mental illness, and other strange subjects from the unique singer/multi-instrumentalist. With five instrumental tracks and loads of strange songs, it's an album that is truly confrontational yet hypnotic. The result is one of the most fascinating releases of 2007 that is truly worth the critical buzz.

A near three-minute instrumental intro with layers of trickling water, croaks, and other noises that is followed by a warbling bass line and guitar feedback that starts to emerge as sounds of guitar and keyboard sirens start to arrive. The title track then appears to be accompanied with the same warbling bass line from the previous track with Moses Archuleta's sputtering drums that is followed by melodic guitar riffs from Locket Pundt and Josh Fauver's bass lines. With Bradford Cox singing through a distorted yet haunting vocal style, he sings very descriptive lyrics as the song starts to go into full, noise-rock mode with Pundt and Colin Mee's guitars. The song intensifies as Cox's vocals gets more intense as does the song. White Ink is a five-minute instrumental track appear after the water trickles start to fade with enchanting, shoegaze-inspired guitars emerging as it plays hypnotically with melodic plucks in the background.

Lake Somerset arrives with pounding bass lines by Fauver and distorted vocals by Cox for this bouncy, throbbing track with rhythmic drum tracks and jangly plucks from Pundt and Mee's guitars. Cox sings through his distorted vocals as Fauver's bass line throbs to the song's crashing, mid-tempo intensity as noisy guitars arrive with Cox still singing through undescribable lyrics as the song continues to intensify. Providence is another shoegaze-inspired instrumental with swooning guitars and washes that creates a moody, ambient tone that is hauntingly melodic and soothing as an acoustic instrument played by Cox is accompanying the main instrumentation as more trickles of water appear in the coda. Octet is an eight-minute track that opens with a hypnotic yet dreamy sound of keyboards, water, and guitar flourishes that is later followed by soft, pounding bass lines as it creates a bouncy rhythm that is accompanied by Archuleta's hi-hat taps. With wailing vocals in the background, the track begins to intensify as Cox starts to sing through his growling distortion of vocals as everything starts to come together with wavy guitars by Pundt and Mee.

Red Ink is another dream-inspired instrumental with xylophone chimes and bells by Cox that is accompanied by soothing, shoegaze-driven guitars as it creates a hypnotic tone with wavy guitars and keyboards to lead the entire track as it starts to create a fuzz-like sound. Spring Hall Convert is a haunting song led by melodic guitar plucks and Cox's soothing vocals that feature troubling, yet descriptive lyrics that is accompanied by its soft, yet pounding rhythm through the drums and bass. The song is probably the album's big standout as Cox's vocals reach into a soothing yet haunting quality along with its melodic guitar track as the rhythm guitar intensifies slowly to maintain its haunting rhythm. Strange Lights arrives with a fast washy guitar track and a bouncy rhythm led by a pounding bass line and mid-tempo drums as Cox sings with a clear yet double-tracked vocals through Chris Bishop's crisp production. Cox's descriptive vocals is filled with dreamy imagery as his vocals are purely hypnotic as it plays true to the song's shoegaze-inspired style.

Hazel St. opens with a melodic bass line by Josh Fauver as it creates a smooth yet momentum-building track for a bouncy rhythm with upbeat drums and melodic guitar riffs through plucking chimes and waves of noise. Cox's eerie vocals shine in the song as he sings descriptive yet haunting lyrics as the song maintains an ethereal yet hypnotic tone that is truly dream-like. Tape Hiss Orchid is a near, two-minute instrumental of guitar textures and soothing waves that is truly inspired by the shoegaze genre of the late 80s and early 90s. The album's closer is the haunting song Heatherwood that opens with a reverb guitar melody that plays out through the unique drum beat that is followed by shaking percussions. Cox sings with his dreamy vocals and haunting lyrics as he leads the way along with a bouncy bass line and melodic guitar plucks as Cox continues to sing as he sings the words, "Was not seen again" as those words close out the album.

With Chris Bishop's crisp yet layered production the album is truly one that has the band creating a unique sound that isn't overly pretentious, doesn't stray into bloated, art-rock pretenses. Instead, it's an album that is truly haunting and adds a tone that is soothing yet dream-like. The result is truly solid as Cryptograms along with Fluorescent Grey EP is a record that is just amazing to hear in an age where most bands just try to create the most endearing, polished piece of music to be played on radio. What Deerhunter does is take the sound of British shoegaze and add a bit of noise and atmosphere that's more in touch with American indie rock for something is extremely unique. In the end, Cryptograms is an album that must be heard and Deerhunter proves that they got a bright future ahead of them.

Deerhunter Reviews: Fluorescent Grey EP - Microcastle - (Weird Era Cont.) - Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP - Halcyon Digest

Related Reviews: (Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Deerhunter/Imaad Wasif-Atlanta, GA Tabernacle 10/14/06) - NIN/Deerhunter-Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena 8/13/08 - (Atlas Sound-Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel) - (Atlas Sound-Logos) - (Lotus Plaza--The Floodlight Collective) - Deerhunter-Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse 10/1/10

(C) thevoid99 2010