Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity

It’s hard to imagine what the songwriting process is like for a band like Deerhoof. Their collaborations of inconceivable guitar riffs, Greg Saunier’s chaotic drum patterns, orchestral organs, and child-like keyboards underneath singer/bassist Satomi Matsuzaki’s adorable vocals suggest that Deerhoof have created their own version of music theory in their pajamas.Though their songs are as unpredictable and fun as they come, they all tend to contain traditional Deerhoof elements that make them recognizable as one of their own.

On Friend Opportunity (Kill Rock Stars), this San Francisco trio proves they are still capable of creating new and exciting work. Friend Opportunity takes 2005’s intimate, yet well thought out album The Runners Four and combines it with the more structured and sing-song songwriting of 2004’s Milk Man.

Mostly recorded in guitarist John Dieterich’s bedroom (with some help from Jay and Ian Pellicci at Tiny Telephone studios) Friend Opportunity is nostalgic and innovative. It is their most accessible album to date, as it contains a variety of signature Deerhoof sounds while remaining cohesive.

Perfectly packaged in a ten-song format, it consists of ecstatic noise you can dance to (“+81”) while songs like “Matchbook Seeks Maniac” and closing track “Look Away” display their ability to make droning guitars sound pretty. Though their songwriting craft remains a mystery, there’s no doubt you’ll want to take part in their most recent pajama party.

– Kristine Capua
Deerhoof (Kill Rock Stars)