Album Review: Deerhunter Finds the Fluorescence in the Junk with “Monomania”

By: Shannon Reid (@allisplural) –

Atlanta, Georgia-based indie rockers Deerhunter are back with a 90’s garage sound that is heard on their new album, Monomania.  It’s a sound that will have fans claiming that they’ve gone back to their grungy-fuzz rock roots; but gender-bending lead singer and guitarist Bradford Cox wouldn’t dream of being that predictable.

Since 2005 the original members have been collectively climbing in popularity among listeners, strongly due to the songwriting of Lockett Pundt and Bradford Cox. To give you an idea of their increasing headway, Ben Allen, who engineered and mixed Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and Fall Be Kind, exercised his magical influence to help produce their last album Halcyon Digest. Needless to say, spells were cast in a pop-rock, psychedelic, shoe-gaze fashion that had fans howling with affection and tongues craving glory for the group.

Between Halcyon Digest, released in 2010, and Monomania, Deerhunter recharged during a short hiatus; Cox revisited some solo material set aside for his personal project Sound Atlas and when the band reformed he brought his deeply personal work to the other members. The result is a complete collection of dark confessions filled with private relationship struggles, his heart aggressively vulnerable if not bleeding with confrontation; the rushed riffs and fire branded beats will have you hooked.

Monomania has the internal flavor of dirt and passion. It’s an intentional gritty turn away from their recent rock-pop sound, a blatant escape from indie pretty boys and everything boring and expected. Long time bassist Josh Fauver left the band, instigating two new additions (Bassist Josh McKay and guitarist Frankie Broyles) that inevitably play into the band’s new vibe. Seasoned fans of Deerhunter will recognize their signature guitar fuzz and its transformation into scuzzy live-wires will stirr them. The real surprise comes through Cox’s anti-nonchalant inflection; Lyrics are stripped down, to the point and angsty. Tracks like “Leather jacket II”, “Dream Captain” and “Neon Junkyard,” have true garage band feel. Nothing is smoothed over or dreamy, but don’t fear, shoe-gaze vibes are still intact. The dirtiest track, “Monomania” will pierce through your earbuds leaving good taste to be reckoned with while the drum work suggeststhe sound of loose change in some punk’s dirty jeans, rattling back and forth as he (or she — respectfully) confronts conformity.

It’s important to note that while Cox’s self-exploration ignites fluorescent flares, Pundt maintains a spatial atmosphere with his strong influence coming through on  “The Missing.” While egos are at play this is not an album that you will walk away from wearing your girlfriend’s skinny jeans; you’ll be wearing her dress instead.

Essential Tracks: “The Missing,” “Blue Agent” and “Neon Junkyard.”