Deerhunter - Microcastle

Deerhunter
Microcastle
(10.2008, Kranky)
File Under = Instant classics

It seems that it is becoming increasingly uncertain whether a given band will be able to deliver a viable follow up to any breakthrough success. Deerhunter left us with promise after by following up Cryptograms with the Fluorescent Grey EP, but you never know, you know? Oh happy day! Deerhunter has done it with Microcastle. They have outgrown their awkward teenage stage and grown into their only slightly less awkward young adulthood. Fortunately, with Bradford Cox at the helm, it is the kind of endearing awkwardness that garners giddy fanaticism rather than uncomfortable silence. With this maturing growth has also come a more confidently stripped version of the goodness of Cryptograms, which for me sat squarely on the second half of that disc. Frequent FG readers know that I’m all for quality drone and textured soundscapes like the ones found on Cryptograms, but it was those anxious pop songs that really won me over when I first heard Deerhunter. With Microcastle, those most delicious and more widely regarded moments are on display throughout and carry an additional little umph in the songs structure department. I mean seriously, is there a much better musical moment than the climactic closing minute of “Microcastle”? The band has set a new standard for themselves here and if their current track record is any indication, things will only be getting better in the future. If that rings true, Deerhunter is bound for the same kind of indie stardom hawked by contemporary staples like The National or Arcade Fire. If that turns out to be the case, it will be attention well earned.

-Mr. Thistle