Deerhunter Cryptograms
There are placid bands, and those that froth; Deerhunter balances the extremes, and a river […]
There are placid bands, and those that froth; Deerhunter balances the extremes, and a river runs through it (figuratively, sure, but semi-literally, thanks to Cryptograms‘ burbling undercurrents). Seeing as this five-piece hails from fresh water-challenged Atlanta, however, any regenerative tributary is more likely just the white noise of Interstate 75. Deerhunter could end up on every hipster’s 2007 rock road map, as the band culls influence from The Jesus & Mary Chain (“Cryptograms,” “Strange Lights”), the bristly bliss of Sonic Youth and Acid Mothers Temple (“Lake Somerset,” “Hazel St.”), Animal Collective/Grizzly Bear affectations (“Providence,” “Spring Hall Convert”), even shimmering spots of U2 (if produced by Darren Emerson with Alan Moulder) on “Octet.” Live, the band still indulges in reedy derangement, but even at its most unhinged, Cryptograms is cohesive-showing Deerhunter’s ability to pile on as much kindling as klang.