The Magic, the band’s aptly named 13th album, is the loosest, most expansive Deerhoof LP in some years.
On The Magic, Deerhoof bring it just as much as they do in their live shows, which, over a dozen albums into the band's career — and given their live prowess — is a spectacular feat.
The Magic is a superb pop album. It doesn't relinquish substance for catchiness and doesn't dive head-first into reckless abandon throwing any semblance of cohesiveness to the dogs.
It's in this fine balance between control and abandon, tension and resolution, that Deerhoof thrive. The Magic is not their best album, but it's an excellent Deerhoof album, and they are the greatest of all time at what they do.
Whether soaking up dizzyingly kaleidoscopic noisepop with ragged chunks of R’n’B or simply encasing gnarly riffs in super-sweet bubblegum, Deerhoof’s chutzpah and audible glee are enough to ensure that The Magic is yet another triumph.
The group’s trademark alchemical blend of punk, noise, electro and the unexpected is stamped all over the LP.
This is one of the most striking aspects of The Magic: that it’s perhaps the most varied record the band have delivered since Friend Opportunity or The Runners Four.
Even if The Magic doesn't always hold together, it still delivers moments of pure anarchic fun.
Within the context of Deerhoof’s oeuvre, The Magic is a bit of a back-to-the-garage reset that doesn’t approach the heights of career apexes Friend Opportunity and Runners Four, but offers a fresh energy that rewards the converted.
There's no escaping a diminishing ability to knock listeners to the floor.
It ain't the best but it's catchy, weird and fun. I can dig it, some excellent grooves here too.
As opposed to many records this year, Deerhoof sets out to create anything but a traditional indie rock/noise pop record. Its obscure and abstract production mixed with its interesting and at times often humorous lyrics, makes the album a peculiar listen. The album is extremely shallow and one dimensional at times. The songs 'This ain't no life for me' and 'Model Behavior' are perfect examples of the aforementioned creative deprivation. The songs fluctuate between being amusing and ... read more
It ain't the best but it's catchy, weird and fun. I can dig it, some excellent grooves here too.
As opposed to many records this year, Deerhoof sets out to create anything but a traditional indie rock/noise pop record. Its obscure and abstract production mixed with its interesting and at times often humorous lyrics, makes the album a peculiar listen. The album is extremely shallow and one dimensional at times. The songs 'This ain't no life for me' and 'Model Behavior' are perfect examples of the aforementioned creative deprivation. The songs fluctuate between being amusing and ... read more
1 | The Devil and his Anarchic Surrealist Retinue 3:14 | 100 |
2 | Kafe Mania! 2:43 | |
3 | That Ain't No Life to Me 1:52 | |
4 | Life is Suffering 3:36 | 100 |
5 | Criminals of the Dream 5:00 | 10 |
6 | Model Behavior 2:35 | |
7 | Learning to Apologize Effectively 3:15 | |
8 | Dispossessor 2:09 | |
9 | I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire 1:36 | 0 |
10 | Acceptance Speech 3:00 | |
11 | Patrasche Come Back 0:47 | |
12 | Debut 2:54 | |
13 | Plastic Thrills 2:01 | |
14 | Little Hollywood 2:56 | |
15 | Nurse Me 2:41 |
#39 | / | Louder Than War |