Another Kranky missive is a new ep by Deerhunter. Percussive, loosed
grooved and held down keyboard loop lines, layered vocals with a
quiet-loud-quiet style dynamic. Makes me feel like delving further into
their back catalogue. Their list of instruments make them sound like a
studio bound affair, but, forth track "Wash Off" sounds like a good
live proposition- chiming fx, crushing beats, repetitive vocals and
wall of sound chorusing appeals. (PS this is f***ing ace!!- Phil)
5 ...according to our Phil on 20 December 2007.
Single of the year then. I realised this was gonna be our single of the year about 4 months ago when I played it about 30 times in a row and drove the wife mad. This is by far one of the finest 4 track EP's I've heard in years and it takes me back to the days when bands like My Bloody Valentine were around making not only great singles but great B sides. You'd get excited about a bands B sides cos you knew they'd be good. These days it seems like bands have one song and the whole marketing is around that. Sure there's the odd exception but in general this is sadly the case these days.
So why is 'Fluorescent Grey' so good? Recorded after the Cryptograms sessions it follows on from the end of the album where the band are doing their more upbeat thing. The title track of the EP sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. When the wall of sound guitars come in, the stomping Mary Chain esque drums and the ethereal almost shoegazey vocals hit you in the face you''re floored. Well I am... the melodies, the guitars, the vocals... this tune has it all. Then we shift a gear down to Dr Glass which has a Blonde Redhead ish vibe to it along with some lazy sounding organs. Another great tune! Hang on though, 'Like New' comes a popping in and is a perfect blend of Sonic Youth and the Cocteau Twins with a heavy shoegazey feel to it. I love that tune.... Finally the EP ends with Wash Off which is pretty much like 'Dirty' era Sonic Youth. It completely rocks and you'll be singing the words "I was 16" for weeks to come. I really can't recommend this EP enough. It's CD only though if you're a vinyl head you can find it tacked onto side 4 of the Cryptograms album. This is some of the best and most exciting guitar music to come out of America in a long time (for me anyway!)
Love this record? Hate it? Tell us.
Sound clips for Fluorescent Grey by Deerhunter: on CD single at Norman Records UK. CD single, Kranky, KRANK 107, £7.69.
Fluorescent Grey’ is an mini-album of four new songs by Deerhunter recorded while mixing Cryptograms. This recording arrives on the heels of the well received aforementioned sophomore album. While exploring themes not especially dissimilar, the mini album functions in many ways as an epilogue to both the LP and the accompanying well-reported anxiety surrounding it’s creation. The band now has a clean slate to explore something entirely new in the future. The CD also includes a bonus Video for ‘Strange Lights’ from ‘Cryptograms’, directed by James Sumner.
Tracklist: 1. Fluorescent Grey 2. Dr. Glass 3. Like New 4. Wash Off
Other items by Deerhunter
Cryptograms Deerhunter CD, £9.99 Sorry - sold out.
