WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009
What is the significance of Deerhunter? Nearly ten years into their prolific and indisputably successful career, I'm puzzled by this question as it's posed in excess from many music outlets, does Bradford Cox even know? The man is a tall gaunt misfit, a champion of the alienated, thus a rock star and a poet. But we're at the point where Deerhunter needs to either break the mold, or fold at being a band of the times. Rainwater Cassette Exchange is kind of like Microcastle lite. It goes down easy, it's worth many listens, and it's dependably Deerhunter of the late aughts. But it's not quite a revolution of their sound, or at least an indication, and that's what I was hoping to hear.
That doesn't mean it's complete garbage. Quite the contrary, actually, as it's rather enjoyable. The EP explores a few different Deerhunter styles; the laid back shuffle, their uptempo, post-punk grunge, and garage rock more akin to their Atlanta brethren Black Lips. Ever present is the distant croon of Cox, whose famous last words seem more and more haunting with each listen. Picking apart Bradford Cox lyrics is always a blooming onion of subtle despair and melancholy, which makes them that much more effective on the ear. - Joe Puglisi
