Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
2010
Album Summary
Halcyon Digest is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Deerhunter. It was released September 27, 2010 to universal critical acclaim. It was the band's first album distributed solely by 4AD worldwide (previously 4AD only handled overseas distribution while Kranky handled it within the U.S.) The album was produced by the band and Ben H. Allen, and was recorded at Chase Park Transduction studios in Athens, Georgia with engineer David Barbe. The final track, "He Would Have Laughed" was recorded separately by Bradford Cox at Notown Sound in Marietta, Georgia and is a tribute to Jay Reatard.It is the band's last album to feature bass guitarist Josh Fauver.
WikipediaHere's a band I didn't know anything about prior to today. Very indie. I was in a band once that had this same indie feel and I wonder now if the guitarist/singer was a fan. The first track sets the tone for the album in an unfortuate way. It's a 5-minute mishmash of rhythmic noise, sulky guitars, and shoegaze vocals. While the album does pick up from time to time, the rythmic noise elements and shoegaze vocals remain constant irritants. These lyrics are so far into their own navel that they can see their backbone. The album is self-indulgent and self-important to the point that it loses all connection to the audience and listening to it begins to feel uncomfortably voyeuristic. That said, the album is saved from a one-star by the fact that there are a few tracks that still manage to connect and because the recording production is top-notch. It really is very well produced. But you can only polish a turd so much. No matter how shiny it is, it's still crap.
Does this bump in the whip? No. Does this make me stare out onto the road, my skin itching as I slowly drive into the gray amorphousness that swallows me, suspending me in space while time is slowed to the point where I can feel each millisecond seep into my skin, settle into my bones before it slides up my throat as I croak out the melodies to these songs, my body stretching forward as I feebly try to make contact with my loved ones, who sit just outside of this slow-time and no space as the grayness slowly digests me, breaking down each of my memories until I the only things that occupy my minds are the words to these songs? Yes. This music seems to have its own temporality, like a voice is reaching out from somewhere I’ve never been, but somehow know, a nostalgia that feels more like an eerie horror than an old home. From the off-kilter percussive throbbing of “Earthquake” to the murmuring introduction of “Sailing” to the moaning that punctuates the beginning of “Basement Scene”’s chorus to “Helicopter”’s clacking which seems to rebound into itself, so much of this album feels like it is enlisting me into its own slanted rhythm, a rhythm just off beat with mine. At certain moments, it feels like I’m touching a time completely different from mine, not in the sense of a past or future, but a different sort of present, a present that moves slower, labors over every moment. Even the faster songs, like “Don’t Cry” and “Revival” and “Desire Line”, feel disjointed, feel like a world of their own. The closing song seems to me to sum up the whole of the album in its final seconds, which simply cut away just as it feels that the song is building to a conclusion, a demonstration that the music is ever so slightly distended, just a shade out of sync, recorded in a margin of time that suddenly closes itself off before we get the chance to hear what the music is fading towards. A beautiful album. 9/10. Fucking incredible.
Oh my god. I don’t know how I’m supposed to get into music that sounds like the musicians are bored out of their minds even while making it. There are two tracks that DON’T do this and they’re nothing special.
Hello! Feminist Killjoy here... I spent a lot of this listen making a mental list of some of the female artists that I hope are coming up. (We've been listening for a month and we've heard exactly one.) So, while this album wasn't unpleasant to listen to, it had me wondering if maybe Deerhunter's dad was on the judging panel? And this isn't to say I think they're bad. If they lived down the street and played the local clubs, I'd think they are awesome. I'd be super proud of them for making stuff. But I found most of this unremarkable in the grand scheme of music and I can't help but wonder who was passed over to include it in the 1001. My rating of them is low perhaps because I'm mad at the list-makers of the world. Songs I enjoyed: Earthquake, Desire Lines, He Would Have Laughed. (And I've listened to these three several times now and like them more each time. I'm glad I've heard them. They are good.) Song I actively disliked: Basement Scene
This couldn't be more hipster indie if it were wearing flannel and suspenders, a pork pie hat, and a ridiculous beard while drinking an IPA and planning a cross-country road trip. No, thank you.
I liked this one way better than most of the others. It sounds like someone left a Weezer or Sonic Youth album out in the rain for a week. It just SOUNDS filthy which is neat.
I dug it. Definitely leans heavily alt/indie, but there was some nostalgia in it as well, at times reminding me of the more diverse Beatles albums.
Fucking amazing indie rock. A good portion of distorts and effects while maintaining the melodic strum of the guitar in the calm of the storm. Good vocal parts where it just feels right. Psychedelic rock like the old days.
Mellow songs, catchy vocals and crisp tones. Definitely stands out as a distinctive and enjoyable album.
Highlights - Revival, Sailing, Desire Lines Halcyon Digest piqued my curiosity from the get-go, establishing a sense of wonder. It settled on a shoegazer-like, progression of dreamy and foreboding, reverb-heavy guitars...Revival is a strong, upbeat number that can be found at home in vintage clothing shops and hipster bars that sell $8 pitchers of PBR. Sailing is an auditory achievement that obviously takes the listener on a sailing trip conveyed by samples and the artist's drifting vocals. It's clear Deerhunter draws inspiration from low-fi pop acts such as Stereolab and Lush (Is it coincidence that Lush and Deerhunter both have different songs called \"Desire Lines?\")
Listened to this several times. Like some individual tracks by them but doesn't do a whole lot for me really. Favorite track is the last one. I like some of their more recent albums more.
It's an alright album, definitely feels like something to put on during a come down period.
I first listened to this album around 5 or 6 years ago. I didn't like it and I don't remember why. Perhaps it sounded a little too 'indie' for me. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset. I never checked anything else out by them and always thought of them as the bad Deerhunter (as opposed to The Dear Hunter, a band that I love). Today I enjoyed the album from the start and I gave it a few listens. Overall it has a melancholy vibe to it but there are a few upbeat tracks that keep the album interesting. The opening track reminded me of something else that I'd heard before but I couldn't put a finger on what and that really clicked with me for some reason. Memory Boy, Desires Lines and Helicopter also made a strong impression but the closing track, He Would Have Laughed I am on the fence about. There's something about it I love and something that annoys the s*%t out of me I wish it didn't have such an abrupt ending, especially when Spotify likes to get into a related track after the song but that isn't it and I don't blame Deerhunter for that. Maybe I'll figure it out someday. This is one that hovers between a 3 and a 4 and I probably won't decide until I click the button.
Soaked in reverb, lost in time. Why does the name Deerhunter pique my interest so quickly? Let the mystery unfold slowly. Remove the mask Scooby doo, who is haunting this fair ground ride...
I listened to this album numerous times. While I liked the overall vibe of the album, it felt like it all blurred together to the point I couldn't tell you much about it, except the fact that it ends very abruptly. It took a lot of listens before I stopped checking to see if something went wrong.
Helicopter was the best song. I probably could of read a haiku about baked beans though and that would of been the best song so it’s not saying much. Oh little baked bean How you taunt me on the plate My fork can’t stab you
This is right up my alley. Like a good indie movie soundtrack or something.
beautiful album. Very much of my taste. Glad I listened to this one all the way through
From what I heard, this was so atmospheric and intense and nice in an odd way. My favorite Deerhunter sound so far!
Me encantó. Lei año 2010 y pensé "ah nuevisimo" y despues cai que pasaron 10 años. Tiene un monton de capas de cuerdas superpuestas que con buenos auriculares te derriten el cerebro cuando les prestas atencion. Amo este tipo de arreglos, y el disco está remil bien producido. Las voces tambien son excelentes, un callback muy bueno a Arcade Fire o a Jesus and Mary Chain si querés ir un poco para atrás. La verdad me voló la cabeza. La tema tica del disco es otra cosa que me gustó, creo que es el primer disco que habla mas o menos de como es descubrir musica nueva y sentir felicidad al respecto. Faveadisimo.
I love it. Great album. While I would say that all of these tracks are highlights, the highlights of the highlights are: 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10.
кайфовое инди, сигаретс афтер секс? лёгкий туманный приятный звук. нескучные аранжировки, откисалово, одно из немногих, что тут понравилось
Great album. Really enjoy pretty much all Deerhunter up through this album. Desire Lines was one of my favorite songs from this era. 5/5
was massively into these in the early 10's, dropped off the radar a bit but still sounds great
I heard this in 2010 and loved it and i still listen to it every once in a while and love it. Seen them play live 4 or 5 times and loved it. Its beautiful, its crushing, it is cute, it's rough it is almost perfect. Fav tracks: helicopter, he would have laughed
This kind of music is right up my alley and I liked every song but it gets a five mostly because I listened to it while on a really relaxing walk on the first nice day in February. Immaculate vibes
Four stars and a half An all-time classic, and an album which still holds its own years after it was released. As is usually the case with those classic albums, I won't write a full-blown review here given that others have already written wonderful stuff about them and there's not much I can add that I feel could be relevant and interesting. Halcyon Digest is just a timeless gem for anyone who has even a remote interest in indie-rock. Go and listen to it a.s.a.p. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 944 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 26 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 15 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important to me): 16
Heard this for first time around 2014. The last track is my favorite, and I don't think there is a bad song on the album.
A very lovely, beautifully intricate and well produced piece of contemporary indie/psych pop. Excellent cover art as well. Added to my snow playlist. Helicopter is an incredible tune.
Alternative rock, 2010. One of the greatest albums of the 2000s because of its production and its composition. Listeners of every generation could enjoy this LP because there is a strong connection between classic and original. All the songs are perfectly disposed during the tracklist and the project feels like a true masterpiece: songs like "Desire Lines" and "He Would Have Laughed" are a prove of it.
Un álbum con un sonido muy experimental, el cuál recuerda a las canciones de los Beatles en diferentes aspectos, con un buen uso de sintetizadores y guitarras
At the time of writing this, I haven’t finished listening, but what I’ve heard so far makes this an easy 5.
few things make me happier than a really, really good alternative album - 10/10
I really liked this. I went through and listened to their whole discography today.
When I first heard this album at 19, it was one of those experiences where I just kept saying to myself, “you can make a song like this?” It is still a sentiment I feel today. I come back to this one nearly every year. It is one of my most heavily played albums, and yet I am constantly finding new things to love and appreciate. The tripped out anxieties filtered through a dreamlike (and sometimes nightmarish) lens have always been incredible relatable to me, and the sonic soundscape only echos those feelings. Even as I evolve and change as a person, this album still remains relevant. A strange mix of the beauty and fears found in life, Halcyon Digest will be an album I’ll never grow tired of, and one that I think should be heard by anyone feeling a little lost and introspective.
Fitting that I get this considering that the tenth anniversary of the album's release has passed. Very cool sounds all around. Favorites include Desire Lines, Helicopter, Fountain Scene and He Would Have Laughed.
Good mix of ethereal and surf rock sound. Kind of surprised with how much I enjoyed this. I always thought I thought Deerhunter was boring, but this was nice.
I remember not being super fond of Deerhunter, so I'm coming into this album with mixed feelings. Felt like The Strokes, but I know DH is their own thing. I dunno, man, it was fun album to listen to. Kinda dreamy / sleepy vibes.
This record is pretty solid. Weird noise pop with some catchy tunes but a decent amount of filler in my opinion. I’ve listened to this record before and I think I fell out of favor with it. Favorite song: Revival Least favorite song: Basement Scene
Strong start. Love that combo of up-front drum machine with very twangy acoustic guitar. I've definitely heard the first track. This sounds great. Distorted vocals and noisy elements are awesome, this is definitely up my alley. Deerhunter have described themselves as "ambient punk" according to Wikipedia, which I can see from this. Some of the tracks don't hit as hard, but "Earthquake", "Don't Cry", and "Helicopter" are very good. They all don't hit as well as those though, but still about a 3.5 to 4* for me.
Slow and chill, this is an album that can turn people off with it's pacing and use of echo, sometimes feeling like you're in a chamber all by yourself with nothing to do. Fortunately, I like this kind of music, and tend to seek out calming stuff. Favorite songs are Desire Lines, He Would Have Laughed, and Coronado. Least Favorite is Earthquake.
Catchy indie music with echo-y vocals and good beats. Highlights: -Revival -Sailing -Helicopter -He Would Have Laughed
What a beautiful album. It's like a sea of friendly existential dread. Knew of this band but had not listened to them much if at all. Looking forward to exploring them more, and if this album is any indication I will be a new fan.
this was wholly unexpected - i'd never heard the name before, and while i immediately liked the album name, that was all i knew. i really love this album - i love the prodigious reverb, i love the weird repetitions, i love the vocal style...i'm genuinely surprised and delighted
Really enjoyed the vibe and flow of this album. It has a vibe and feel to it that never felt redundant. Just sort of flows from one track to the other with ease.
This is a really great album - I hadn't listened to it all the way thru since it's release. Helicopter is on a couple of playlists. It reminds me of a time when I used to walk around more and listen to music in this genre. Big headphone music (I might end up saying that often). Reminds me of LA and the energy there in the oughts. Reminds me of : Tame Impala, Dept of Eagles, Animal Collective... Favourite Songs : 1) Helicopter 2) He would have laughed 3) Desire Lines (this comes with some contention) Underrated Songs : 1) Revival It's a great band album tho - there's something optimistic and cohesive about it. It's not dark side, but listening all the way thru is proper. Bandmates liking each other I bet : 9/10 Sound(s) : 9/10 Album as an experience : 8.3/10 This album ultimately makes me miss an energy that I felt in LA. It's experimental but polished. Just like Gabriel.
Oh, this wasn't at all what I was expecting - I thought it was going to be pretty abrasive noise rock. Is that because they have some other albums in that vein, or am I confusing them with another band? Who knows! I really liked this - lovely blend of psychedelia, shoegaze, and a little bit of dream pop. Will definitely be revisiting. Fave track - "He Would Have Laughed" at the moment. "Desire Lines" also stood out... Gonna give this 4 stars but feel it could become 5 with more listens
Ah I'm just a sucker for lo-fi folky stuff from my college days. If I were being completely objective, this would probably be a 3, but it gets a nostalgia bump for me.
I like the way it sounds but it wasn’t interesting enough to hold my attention super well. 7
Pensar en Deerhunter és pensar en Primavera Sound. Banda sonora indie de la darrera dècada, amb un grapat de bons àlbums, amb atmòsferes inspirades de guitarres i veus que divaguen entre el punk i el dream pop. Aquest "Halcyon digest" és un dels més coneguts, i té alguns dels seus temes més populars. Feia anys que no l'escoltava sencer i continua sonant fresc i evocador.
Like a low 7? Idk, didn't pay that close of attention because I was cooking
reminds me of the postal service at times. Has it’s moments but a lot of it is kinda boring. 7
I really liked this, even though I'm not sure why, and found it hard to describe - AOR but good?
A very enjoyable listen that I will need to go back and revisit more than once
Very slow and melodic instrumentals, along with some deep vocals and a vibe that gets amplified by it’s album cover