FRIEND OPPORTUNITY - DEERHOOF
Much like 2004’s “Milk Man,” Deerhoof’s new set reinvents what it means to be “accessible” for the trio. Experimental elements like startling dissonant chords in “The Galaxist” or the held-tilting formlessness on “Whither the Invisible Birds” rear their heads amid recognizable pop, rock and dance arrangements. Satomi Matsuzaki’s toy-like voice, combined with authoritative power chords and skronky guitar effects, make modern dream-pop tracks out of “+81″ and “Matchbook Seeks Maniac.” All in all, the effort has more space, less atmosphere and gets right to the point — that is, until you get to the final song, the 11-minute-plus “Look Away.” It lopes along with a number of loosely themed instrumental vignettes that seemingly go nowhere. It’s as though the band won’t allow itself to be too predictable. Billboard
