Deerhoof, Mountain Moves, A Review (2017)

Deerhoof, Mountain Moves, A Review (2017)

By: Ghost Writer

Rock N Roll Animal

Little by little, Deerhoof has managed to build a steady reputation as one of the most musical unpredictable acts in modern music, always delivering a good record despite where they are headed to, their latest recording titled Mountain Moves is another feast of interesting head spinning sounds, and the fact that they are also including some musical experimental heavyweights as collaborators makes things even better, opener Slow Motion Detonation includes Argentina's avant garde diva Juana Molina in an impossibly beautiful song, Molina's vocals are a perfect complement to Satomi's and the brand of string magic that Molina's also brings to the mix is breathtaking, for Son Cordino the band makes use of its usual mix of dissonant and dreamy sounds, with Satomi brilliant as ever enduring the sometimes brutal musical treatment their cohorts are able to create, it’s an exciting mix of beauty and ugliness, of pure sound and noise, of good and pure evil, walking together and divided just by a very fine thread.

I Will Spite Survive is a true highlight featuring input by Wye Oak member Jenn Wasner, the combination of solid drums, fierce guitars and charming keyboards is a total winner and the band is able to deliver a total music a delight, and then getting around the legendary Laetitia Sadier for Come Down Here & Say That, undoubtedly Sadier is able to give Deerhoof a complete new dimension and it isn't hard to recognize now the band as a heir to the beautiful musical legacy Laetitia's band, the timeless Stereolab once created, and with a brave move that takes the band to a totally different place with their cover of legendary Chilean singer Violeta Parra and her all time classic Gracias a la Vida, a risky decision moving them to almost Robert Wyatt like sonic territory.

For Begin Countdown the drums of extraordinary drummer Greg Saunier act like the center of attention, an almost psychedelic job that would left the Flaming Lips screaming for vengeance, again the band playing to their strengths and delivering a robust piece of music full of details and unexpected turns, barbed wire guitars and Saunier's explosive drumming, right before moving into pure pop perfection along rapper Awkwafina on the groundbreaking and mind bending Your Dystopic Creation Doesn't Fear You, for some this might be a dream, for other a complete nightmare and that's exactly what the Deerhoof magic is all about.

And if Saunier gets plenty of space to set his drums into motion, At That's Me fives enough room for John Dietrich and Ed Rodriguez guitars to shine on, and for the title track the band is able to get the mighty Matana Roberts and her almighty saxophone, adding a touch of afro magic to the chaotic piece that at times reminds me of The Stooges circa the Fun House era, just to leave some listeners on the verge of mental collapse with the heavy rockabilly like rumble of Freedom Highway, not for weak hearts, Mountain Moves is a monumental work, full of beautiful moments and risky moves that Satomi and company are able to work out in such a perfect way, this is a band that deserves more attention than the one they get, but honestly I still prefer them as the wonderful underground gem they are.