Reviews (page 3 of 8)
This is very good stuff. Weirdly, though I’ve always been about music like this, even in the 2010s, I haven’t dug into Deerhunter much. I might have to rectify that.
I really liked it! I didn’t expect to, but it was good!
I like this album a lot, but I think it has maybe the most questionable start of any great album I can think of. The 1-2 non-punch of "Earthquake" and "Don't Cry" are perhaps the worst way they could've started this album, and I wouldn't blame people if they bailed at this point. However, on track 3, we finally get cookin'. I think they have a pretty cool aesthetic. Much like Panda Bear, it's sort of a modern psychedelic twist on surfy 60s music. Highlights for me are "Revival", "Desire Lines", "Helicopter", and "Coronado". 4.5 stars.
On balance a pretty nice, lush n scraggy procession of Pitchfork indie psyche pop. Some cool combinations of tones like on the dankly celestial opener Earthquake which has tingly harp-like guitar over a crushingly slow n whooshy glitch beat that does amass somewhat epically. Album isn’t exactly banger loaded and the music n drab singing does get a bit too threadbare and tumbleweedish at times but there are enough interesting highlights and overall it is still quite a cool n quirky listen.
Good chill rock. Was close to a 5
Wait this isn't their funny name album? Favourite Songs: Earthquake, Revival, Desire Lines, Helicopter. Least Favourite Songs: Don't Cry, Fountain Stairs.
The more I listen to this album the more I like it. I should try listening to their other stuff.
Chill album with some not so traditional sounding songs, I enjoyed this one.
This album grew on me as it went on. I think I'll really enjoy it after repeated listens.
Really like this mix of alternative. Lots to come come back for on this album
Excellent use of psychedelia, good musical ideas executed well, and lots of rewarding sonic layers. Going to put this in the rotation
Great album. Never once wanted to skip a song or wish it was over
Ok, I have never heard of Deerhunter before this album and had no idea what to piece together what I was getting into. For some reason, I thought it was going to be some overly long showcase album filled with nothing but slow songs that chug on forever. What I ended up getting, however, was indie rock. Surprisingly catchy indie rock. This was a pleasant surprise. It’s a sort of weird balance between this mellow ethereal pop and catchy alt indie beats. Sure, it’s definitely very indie… maybe too indie. And it might be a bit full of itself. But overall this was pretty good. Nice first impression from Deerhunter, hope that there’s some more from them here. Favorite track: Helicopter Other hits: Revival, Don’t Cry, Desire Lines, Memory Boy, Fountain Stairs, Coronado, He Would Have Laughed
Ethereal, groovy, and just the right amount of spookiness. Kinda like some sorta lost David Lynch soundtrack. I mean, it’s pretentious and twee, too, and I don’t know if I’d listen every day. But the melodies sure are hauntingly beautiful.
Favorite one so far
Revival Desire Lines Helicopter
Not all songs work, but it's a very interesting album full of ideas. Favs: Helicopter / Coronado / He Would Have Laughed
Thought I wouldn’t like it after hearing the first two tracks, but it got better and the second half of the album slapped. Helicopter was my favorite!
Not sure what to expect here. Hm, Im rather enjoying this thus far. Yeah this was good!! 4 stars.
Its very good but I sort of wonder will I ever listen to it again.
Unfamiliar previously
This is really good. Really strong songs. Very well written with a lot of emotion and care clearly throughout the entire process. I enjoy this a lot. This album came out fifteen years ago and still feels fresh and new. Nowhere on the album is there a song that stands out as incredibly exciting, but they are all fantastic. Love it. 4/5
thoroughly enjoyed the album. Apart from the first song, it was very easy to listen to. The first song starts off slightly dark but the rest of the album was very calming. Would listen to again
I don't think I'm sad enough for this
This might be the only band on the list who I've seen live. Was very surprised to see these guys on here, but I'm really happy they included this one. I think they're really underrated. Some songs are reeeeally good and some are a little weaker. Still a veery solid 4. Might be a little biased tho :)
*Halcyon Digest*, the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Deerhunter, was released on September 27, 2010, to widespread critical acclaim [2, 3]. The album is known for its unique blend of pop sensibilities with the band's experimental and psychedelic roots [1, 4, 6]. It is considered a significant work in their discography and a defining album of the 2010s indie rock scene [2, 6]. **Themes** *Halcyon Digest* explores the themes of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time [3, 5]. The album's title itself refers to a collection of fond, and sometimes invented, memories, reflecting how people rewrite their pasts into a "digest version" of what they want to remember [3, 6]. This idea permeates the album, with lyrics often touching on the romanticization of the past, even if that past was not necessarily positive [3, 5]. The songs also delve into the ennui of adulthood, loneliness, and the search for meaning [2, 4]. The album also touches on themes of mortality and the struggle of growing older [2, 4]. **Music** The album showcases a shift from Deerhunter's earlier noise-rock sound towards a more refined pop aesthetic [2, 1, 4]. While still retaining their experimental nature, *Halcyon Digest* features more melodic and structured songs, often incorporating elements of 1960s pop [1]. The album's sound is characterized by its dreamy, ethereal textures, with shimmering guitars, reverb-drenched vocals, and subtle electronic elements [2, 4]. The songs range from upbeat and catchy tunes to more introspective and melancholic pieces, creating a dynamic listening experience [1]. Some notable songs: * **"Revival"**: The lead single, is an upbeat track with a summery vibe, showcasing the band's pop sensibilities with a clunky rhythm reminiscent of 1980s artists [1]. * **"Memory Boy"**: A Byrdsian power-pop track that evokes the golden age of 1960s pop [1]. * **"Basement Scene"**: A song with a familiar proximity to The Everly Brothers' "All I Have To Do Is Dream" [1]. * **"Helicopter"**: A dreamy and wistful song with swirling and washing sounds, considered a highlight of the album [1, 4]. * **"Coronado"**: A track that is comparable to The Strokes, accompanied by saxophone, adding a unique touch to the album [1]. * **"Desire Lines"**: A straightforward moment on the album with Interpol-esque guitar lines, addressing the challenges of growing older [1]. * **"He Would Have Laughed"**: A tribute to the late Jay Reatard, this song explores feelings of boredom and the search for meaning [1, 2]. * **"Sailing"**: A haunting, slow, and clean tune with a memorable chorus that evokes feelings of loneliness [8]. The album displays a wide range of styles, incorporating elements of dream-pop, shoegaze, and psychedelic rock [2, 4, 6]. The band's ability to seamlessly blend these different influences contributes to the album's unique and captivating sound [4, 6]. **Lyrics** Bradford Cox's lyrics on *Halcyon Digest* are often introspective and evocative, contributing to the album's thematic depth [4]. The lyrics often portray images of hopeful children and bored adults seeking salvation [4]. They also touch on themes of loneliness, mortality, and the challenges of growing older [2, 4]. While sometimes obscured by reverb, the lyrics add to the overall mood and tone of the album [4]. There is a sense of vulnerability and honesty in Cox's writing, which resonates with listeners [2, 7]. The lyrics often play with the themes of memory, and how our recollections can be altered, "a digest version of what we want to remember" [3, 6]. Additionally, some of the lyrics and riffs are a product of automatic writing, lending to the album's sometimes-subjective nature [8]. **Production** The production of *Halcyon Digest* is a key element of its success. The album was produced by the band and Ben H. Allen, and it was recorded at Chase Park Transduction studios in Athens, Georgia [3, 6]. Allen's production work is noted for its ability to soften the band's more abrasive tendencies while retaining their mystique [6]. The album has a warm and organic sound, with a focus on atmosphere and texture [1]. The use of reverb and other effects creates a dreamy, otherworldly feel that enhances the album's themes [1, 4]. The production allows the different musical elements to blend together cohesively, creating a rich and immersive listening experience [2]. **Influence** *Halcyon Digest* has been influential within the indie rock scene, cementing Deerhunter's place as a significant band [6]. The album's blend of pop sensibilities with experimental elements has been praised by critics and fans alike [2, 4, 6]. Its themes of nostalgia and memory have resonated with listeners, making it a timeless work [5, 6]. The album has been compared to other influential bands, such as Pavement, and it is considered a part of the indie rock canon [1, 3]. *Halcyon Digest* has also influenced the band's subsequent work, with some of their later albums continuing to explore similar themes and musical styles [6]. **Pros** * **Unique Sound:** The album successfully blends pop, psychedelic, and experimental elements into a cohesive and captivating sound [1, 4, 6]. * **Thematic Depth:** The themes of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time are explored in a thoughtful and engaging way [3, 5]. * **Strong Songwriting:** The album features a collection of well-crafted songs, ranging from catchy pop tunes to introspective ballads [1, 2]. * **Excellent Production:** The production creates a warm, atmospheric sound that enhances the album's overall mood [1, 4]. * **Emotional Resonance**: The lyrics and music evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to melancholy, creating a lasting impact on the listener [2, 4]. * **Critical Acclaim**: The album received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best albums of 2010 [2, 3, 6]. **Cons** * **Subjective Lyrics**: The automatic writing style of the lyrics may not appeal to all listeners, and may make some of the songs seem disjointed [8]. * **Reverb-Heavy Production:** While atmospheric, the heavy use of reverb can sometimes obscure the lyrics, which may frustrate some listeners [4]. * **Subdued Energy:** Some listeners may find the album's generally mellow tone to be lacking in energy compared to some of Deerhunter's earlier work [1, 2]. * **Not Consistently Psychedelic**: Although there are psychedelic aspects, this is not the most experimental or psychedelic record in the band's discography, and may disappoint listeners seeking something more overtly experimental [8]. * **Not For Everyone:** The mix of styles and themes may not appeal to all listeners, and it may require multiple listens to fully appreciate [2, 6]. **Conclusion** *Halcyon Digest* is a significant album in Deerhunter's discography, showcasing the band's ability to evolve while retaining their unique identity [2, 6]. Its blend of pop sensibilities with experimental elements, combined with its introspective lyrics and thematic depth, has made it a lasting work [1, 4, 5]. While it may not appeal to all listeners, its unique qualities and emotional resonance make it a worthwhile experience [2, 6]. The album stands as a testament to Deerhunter's creativity and their ability to craft music that is both thought-provoking and captivating [1, 2].
I've always liked what I've heard from Deerhunter. Feels like a solid representstion of the late 2010s indie music scene. So Ivknew a couple of these songs, but there were some new ones too. Earthquake in particular was a lot of fun. Dream pop that really carries you away (kind of sounds like something from the game Tunic). I think this will be the song I save since it was so new to me. But my favorite on the album is probably Desire Lines, particularly the last minute or so. Solid album.
not sure i love it but very solid
Need to listen to this one more. Enjoyed it overall, but also wasn't blown away. Standout Tracks: - Revival - Don't Cry - Desire Lines - Coronado
Another great modern minor classic. This hasn't really left the rotation since it came out. 4.5 🌟
lovely lovely. i always associate deerhunter with gen (they are her favorite band and her fanfiction handle is a song title of theirs lol) so i am fond of them for that reason alone, but i also think this is a beautiful record. i love the wistful tone both in the music and the lyrics. bradford cox is a really interesting guy, extremely idiosyncratic and obsessive—he’s influenced gen’s writing a lot, so i kinda listen to deerhunter as an extension of her work/mind rather than the other way around… my only thing is that sometimes this record feels a little pedestrian, like more or less bog standard 2010s indie rock but as i’ve mentioned before that is an aesthetic bias of mine that i find really hard to ignore. i think the album is strong enough to bypass the association in the end though. fav tracks: don’t cry; basement scene; he would have laughed; desire lines; coronado; helicopter
very beautiful!! I really enjoyed that. Idk why I'm at such a loss for words with my reviews lately but whatever. i'm just vibing out to everything with no comprehensive thoughts for some reason... Fav tracks: Don't Cry, Basement Scene, Helicopter
7/10. Inconsistent - But really loved some parts instrumentally
Nice indie
Don’t Cry - because it’s over, enjoy that it happened (idk the saying) I really like the vibe of this. The guitars have a sort of classic feel to them, some cool effects going on, and some unique percussion sounds. It’s a sort of album you can get lost in while doing something else that doesn’t draw your attention away too much, only a little. Like driving or doing some chores.
Fav song: Helicopter Moody and interesting the whole time. I enjoyed this one a lot, really up my street.
4/5. The aesthetic of this album alone is impressive, the sonic emptiness, feeling alone yet totally surrounded. I don't think this is a perfect album since some of the songs don't keep me interested but it is a more complex album than just indie pop so I do plan on revisiting. From what I did here, it was great. Best Song: Memory Boy, Desire Lines, He Would Have Laughed
I think this is a slight step down from Microcastle, but it’s still a very cool album. It plays up a bit of the psychedelic take on 50s style ballads, like in Basement Scene, and has the evocative layers of shimmering guitar that we expect from this band.
Gemma nascosta
Pretty good, enjoyed their sound.
Weird stuff inbound 🚨. I don’t know if the red lamp emoji translates but oh baby it’s on. Let’s see what this has to say. Odd glitchy music. Man. A little slow paced. Not loving this start. The music grows to be more interesting near the end. That’s cool. Hell yeah. When it increases in volume and the atmosphere suffocates. Very nice. Whoa. Distorted indie pop. I love this. Excellent melody, palpable eccentricity. Quality. Oh we’re sticking with the distortion. That’s very good news for dweebs like me. And I am indeed a dweeb like me. Another nice pop song with a fascinating sound. Dreamy, odd ballad. Really nice. Calm. This thing hasn’t missed. Right from the praying individual in drag, to the oceanic outro of this song. Well nobody’s perfect. Memory boy will be unremembered, and considering its attempt to be catchy and repetitive, I feel like that’s the worst thing I can say about it. Where is the buzz?? Where is the distortion?? Where is the intrigue?? I’m hunting for this as though it’s a deer. Man. Even my writing is off. I need tripe and this is trying to feed me it, but I can’t quite get it right. I have no “Desire” to hear “Desire Lines” ever again. Oh god it never stops. Ok. Here we go. This is very similar to that song that goes “dreeeeeaaaam,” that’s in every 50’s prom/high school scene. Pretty good. The six million dollar man goes to boathouse. We’re back baby. Esoteric references that couldn’t possibly be funny to anybody but me. This is a great song. The odd, drippy background music, the plucky guitar or ukulele thing. All great. This one was fine. Sort of floated by. Coronado. Is that the sopranos guy? Yeah let’s go with that. I love that nobody can respond to these. Anyway. Good song. A bit of a listless end at parts, it the beginning and end are great. Filled with soul and draw for me as a listener. How did I miss this? I can’t give it a 5 because it’s not perfect but I will absolutely be back to this one. Immense depth, rife with emotion, intrigue and enough oddity to keep me entranced for 48 minutes. The pop flourishes buried beneath an introspective murk make for a beautiful album. More of this. 4-4.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Don’t Cry, Revival, Sailing, Helicopter, Coronado
This was a very nice experience. Not a perfect record but very near to perfection. At its best it sounds just like some lost VU songs. Will definitely come back to Deerhunter.
I liked it, it was fun. It was not something I would hear every day, but I'd hear it again. It was comfortable.
I did not know Deerhunter, but this is a pretty nice discovery!
awful album cover but otherwise a really solid indie rock album
First listen: Interested to see how I feel about this on repeated listenings. The first couple songs didn't grab me much, and there are a few too many songs that drifted off into anonymous indie nothingness, but the highlights are *damn* good. Second listen: As suspected, this album grew on me. I initially scored it a high 3.5, raising it to a decently solid 4, and it could continue to rise in my estimations. I dig the sound overall, and I think Cox has the perfect voice for this genre. "Revival" and "He Would Have Laughed" are my personal standouts at the moment, but I genuinely like every track to one degree or another. 4/5
Great chill album
I found myself liking this album more and more as it progressed. It wasn't anything like my memory of Deerhunter, which I always associated with noise-pop. I'm already interested in giving this a second listen.
3.6
This.was the record that really made me a fan of this band, going back to their older stuff I was truly hooked. It's a shame this might have been their peak because everything after this was good but never great. I hope they regroup and put out something magical again and soon!
Halcyon Digest is the fifth studio album from Deerhunter, and one of the band's most successful album. On release, it met with widespread critical acclaim, and was on a few alt-rock "album of the year" lists. The band uses effect-laden guitars and harmonic vocals to pop songs with a broad but delicate sound. Their songs have a chiming, cheerful sound, even when expressing somber thoughts like "I don't want to get old."
Very nice
It's like if Radiohead and Arcade Fire had a kid who was raised mostly by uncle Interpol. Thing is, Interpol has a weird neighbor, Animal Collective, that the kid loves so the kid grows up idolizing the weirdo and that shapes their journey into adulthood. I think I prefer the back half of the album to the front but this is a solid album. Loved the style, some great creative choices in Revival and Desire Lines, along with Helicopter. Great balance of ups and downs. Fav Track: Desire Lines
Interessant zu hören. Eingängige Melodien. 4/5
I've really liked this album for years, but it's one I rarely listen too. It just doesn't stay with me for some reason. But then every so often, I'll hear Desire Lines or Helicopter on the radio and think, "Hey, that was a really good album". So while it's not perfect, it is very interesting and imo, one of the best "Indie" records of that time period. It kind of scratches the itch that I always wanted Animal Collective to scratch for me (they never did though). I do like this sort of dreamy, shoegazy stuff in general though - can see how it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
It was good, but I wasn't particularly hooked. I may revisit this one at some point. 'He Would Have Laughed' wins for my fave from this album.
Well this is quite refreshing in the sense of, we've had a few albums in a short period of time by quite individual indie artists (that do sort of sound similar). I liked Memory Boy the best, although Basement Scene (with the nods to The Everly Brothers) was good. Again, reminds me a lot of Sufjan Stevens. Sort of conceptual, but each track does stand alone. Weirdly eerie in places, spooky - I really like the fuzzy production. He Would Have Laughed outstayed its welcome - I will not get on board with a song longer than 5 minutes.
Acc quite relaxing, good for studying
Dreamy and decent, but also bordering on lethargy here and there. Following on the quietly and steadily engaging "Desire Lines," "Basement Scene" is downright woozy. "Helicopter," maybe the best cut, is fuzzily ethereal, with a melody not far removed from a lullaby. "Fountain Stars" also strong, if not mind-blowing, which applies to the record as a whole. 3.6 for a very soft 4.
4 - this is kinda a critic’s album, not for me but I thought it was pretty good and unique. Makes me think what other “modern” albums from around this time got cut so this one could be put in
Mellow and a bit nostalgic, with simple, airy melodies, with a laid-back vibe. It's easy to get lost in, one that's easy to come back to again and again.
Halcyon Digest is another album that brings back all the nostalgia of the early 2010’s for me due to its heavy rotation back then. It ranks as my second favorite from Deerhunter, my favorite being 2008’s Microcastle. Singer, Bradford Cox, suffers from Marfan Syndrome, which is a genetic connective tissue disorder that I recently discovered I may have a mild case of. I can’t help but think about this every time I listen to Deerhunter or Bradford’s other project Atlas Sound now. I also remember when this band was somewhat of a local Atlanta band on the rise and we would see them at shows around the city supporting other local bands in the many small bars and venues we frequented. There’s many influences that come to mind for this album, artists like Bowie, Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and many others given the diverse styles presented here. The fear, heartbreak and loneliness present through out the album’s lyrics are sometimes so raw and personal that they can be a little uncomfortable. But that honesty is one of the things I love most about this band. I am also drawn in by the droning hypnotic states the band evokes through out. The first line in “Basement Scene” is an obvious nod to The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have To Do Is Dream” which is also a big influence on this band and a fitting reference given the album’s dream-like atmosphere. I recently mentioned how I always mistook that as a Buddy Holly song a couple reviews back, strange coincidence. I remember reading somewhere that all the pitched up direct to board guitars were inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s approach for tracks like “Landslide.” Songs like “Earthquake,” “Helicopter” and “He Would Have Laughed” showcase this harpsichord type guitar style beautifully. Overall, I’m a fan of all of the Deerhunter albums and I would agree that Halcyon Digest to be among the best, alongside Microcastle.
Once you hit "Sailing", Halcyon Digest becomes more digestible. The beginning is good too, but it definitely makes you think the album is going to be different than it is. Nice move, riding goofy foot at first while people are still attentively listening, and then moving a bit more mainstream before their attention wanes too much. "Earthquake" has a grandiose heaviness to it, but a whole album of it would be too much. Like Kid A's "Treefingers", it sets an atmosphere and then gets out of the way. I really enjoy the production on this, and the different take on shoegaze at first, and garage pop later on. The album evolves and changes and grows, and it grows on me too.
4.5 rounded down this surprised me in a rlly good way!! highlights: earthquake, don’t cry, helicopter (aug 22 2024)
Solid 4 - some really good tunes some for the playlists
a really neat indie album. from the first little bit, i wasn't sure i was going to fully enjoy this one, but the second half of the album really picked it up for me. good instrumentation and nice songs. the sound sometimes borders on cliche indie from the time period, but never overdoes it. just a pretty nice album from front to back.
Normally I would complain about how most of the 2010s picks on this list are obscure indie rock albums with low cultural impact, but I just got TPAB yesterday so I have no right to complain about that right now. Anyways, this album's good. It's not my favorite, but it's good enough for me to feel like it's someone's favorite. The sound is interesting. It's got an interesting genre blend. It's very indie, with a bit of a shoegaze-like feel to it. The vocals fit that as well. It's a good vibing album. There's some good emotion to it. The writing is pretty decent. This is just a solid indie rock album. Fantano gave it an 8, which I think is a bit high. However, I wouldn't put it that much lower. Maybe like a light 7 or something. I thought about giving it a high 3, but it's better to initially overrate an album than it is to underrate it. So instead, I'll give it a low 4/5.
Waited a bit too long to start this album, after a long work day, so I was a bit tired and didn’t initially like what I was hearing. But realized I liked it much more on the second listen through! Never heard the term shoegaze before, but the dreamy ethereal songs seem to fit the definition I found. I’m a fan of alt/indie rock like this, I probably heard some Deerhunter songs without even realizing.. 4/5
I’ve listened to this album a couple times before but it’s probably been well over a year since I returned to it at all. This listen has confirmed to me that it’s at least very good if not great. Several really standout tracks here be that Coronado, Fountain Stairs, or Revival. Not really a big dud in the batch either although some of them can kind of ride out or get a bit repetitive. The psychedelic effects on the songs is what really makes them standout I’d say. Adds an entrancing element to the songs and makes them more than just cute little folky rock tunes. Overall, it’s a solid record. Not one that’s got me coming back still but I did enjoy it more than I remembered.
Editing this to take back my original rating. I hated this album on my first listen, but over a year later... I finally get it. It's clicking for me now.
Such a great album.
83/100
This was a little different and better than what I was anticipating. It’s indie rock with a neo-psychedelia, dreamy, and ethereal soundscape. You have reverb-drenched guitars, with a mix of traditional and electronic percussion. The electronic elements are subtle, adding depth and atmosphere to the songs. The production is very crisp and clean. It’s not the best thing I’ve come across, but I’m definitely going to play it a few more times just to absorb it better.
I think I slightly prefer Fading Frontier, but I'll be damned if this isn't one of those rare albums that gets better and better as it reaches its final song. He Would Have Laughed is an unreal closer.
Real shocker here, I like a 2010s indie rock album. It's a bit surprising to me that I wasn't really familiar with Deerhunter before this, this feels pretty squarely up my alley and around the right time period (maybe just a bit early). The album has a real atmospheric and airy feel to it overall. The singer says it's "supposed to sound like a newsletter or bulletin board from somewhere mysterious," and I do kind of get what he means. Each song is like a different snippet of a memory, but there's a consistent airy sound that threads it all together. It's like the audio equivalent of looking through a light fog. This is also one that I feel like is going to just grow on me even more as I listen to it more. It's in "very good but not absolute top tier" for me after two listens, but it feels like it has staying power for me. I imagine if I found this one when I was in college it would've been in the rotation for years now. I missed out on a few years, but glad I heard it now. "Only fear can make you feel lonely out here" Favorite song: He Would Have Laughed Other: Earthquake, Don't Cry, Revival, Sailing, Memory Boy, Desire Lines, Helicopter, Coronado 7/17/24
Another band I wasn’t familiar with that I will get familiar with quickly now that I’ve dipped my toes in. This is the type of album you listen to when you go for a late night drive and reflect on your life. Beautiful, calming music. Solid 4 in my books here, folks.
I've heard this album before, and I've always been a fan. It has a bit of a unique sound, and feels like it has some quite meaningful lyrics.
Cool vibes. Inventive approach to songwriting. I sense some influence from David Eugene Edwards. I enjoyed this but git a bit bored toward the end.
I really enjoyed this! The only two misses for me were the opener, which felt a bit out of place since it seemed to promise something entirely different than what we actually got on the rest of the album; and the oddly-mixed slower ballad 'Sailing'. Aside from that, it was a really decent indie rock album. My personal faves are 'Desire Lines' and 'He would have laughed'. 4 stars
Floaty dreamy psych rock/pop. There’s a bunch of songs here I really like, but some of the quieter ones don’t do much for me. At first I didn’t see what was particularly interesting about this, but it grew on me throughout the day. Would need to listen a bit more to write a really quality review, but I enjoyed this. It’s just nice and comfortable.
Neo-psychedelia, indie rock. Great production, very dreamy. Love the themes. Definitely need to give this another chance, the gym wasn't the best place to listen to this. Will revisit. Strong 3.5/5
I dig this
Great example of how the mood you're bringing to the album totally determines how you hear it. I put this on earlier today while I was working and got interrupted by a phone call and didn't even think to come back to it, that's how little of an impression it made in me then. But put it on again later, in the eve after walking my dog, and it sounds awesome! Soft spot for contemporary psych bands, and these guys have a unique sound, using more recent tones than classic psychedelic rawk dictates, like REM/Smiths chiming guitar riffs and cheesy keyboard but not in a retro or ironic way. Just part of their vocabulary. The sublime stemwinder of a jam at the end of "Desire Lines" sums it all up and I could rock it all day every day and twice on Sundays. Bravo!
What a creepy/weird album cover! Combined with unusual album title and the fact that I don't think I've ever heard anything by Deerhunter, I had no idea what to expect. Many of the songs sort of remind me of a weird mashup of Ween, Air, The Cure and a few other atmospheric bands, but with their own distinctive take, and I really enjoyed how the album has a kind of continuity among the songs that seems pretty rare in 21st-century albums. It's always fun to get something out of left field from this collection, and even better to have enjoyed it rather than just being perplexed. I'd definitely be interested in hearing more from them. (4)
I had some of these songs on my 'music to check out playlist' for a few years but not sure what prompted me to do that. I enjoyed the album enough & will check out some of their other stuff.
I like it. I hate the cover.
3.75
first song was the best by far. rest sounds like a generic indie album. not bad but im not returning to this. very low 7/10
Oh yeah, this is a good one. A rare pleasant surprise. I've heard some Deerhunter before but never an album all the way through and it was a good listen from start to finish. 7/10 (3.5/5)
Indie rockexperimental rockpsychedelic popnoise rock. Agradable. Y sugiere grupos parecidos chulos.
Quintessential 2010s indie rock
Interesting.
This seems to be a case where an album was added to the revised edition of the list within a couple of months after the album dropped. From what I can gather, they are an indie rock band that describes themselves as "ambient punk", and this fourth album of theirs is loosely based on the human tendency to re-imagine our memories to make them look better than how they played out. There is some well-accented percussion and guitar work to a fair amount of the tracks such as the singles "Revival" and "Memory", along the lines of psychedelic rock music from the '60s. Unfortunately, the album is bookended by tracks that lean more towards ambient shoegaze, which is an odd juxtaposition. It's a solid album overall for the psychedelia once you dig in.
Wow, what a lovely surprise. Never heard of Deerhunter or shoegaze but these tunes made for enjoyable Saturday morning soundtrack. Good thing too because I had been suffering through some bad albums for the past several days.
Good indi band didn’t know this band.
manche top hits manches etwas nichtssagend rom erinnerungen
scratched that indie itch
I had this album on high rotation only last year. This is a top album by a quirky band, they fit with that classic 4AD ethos and sound. The absolute banger of a track is 'Desire Lines', the rest of the album is pretty good in its darkly dreamy way. A low 4
Hypnotically dreamy. This album was a lovely treat. From beginning to end it felt like being on a secret side quest that only the fairies and I knew about.
Bradford Cox is one of the most interesting figures in music, and Halcyon Digest one of a handful of records I would choose to showcase indie rock as a genre. It's noisy, dissonant, beautiful, melodic, and frustratingly uneven. It really isn't a great listening experience, but songs like 'Memory Boy', 'Desire Lines', and 'He Would Have Laughed' seem to linger.
The great tracks here (Revival, Desire Lines, Helicopter) are wonderful. However, the rest of this does drift at times. It is the definition of modern 'indie' in places, but they do know their way around a tune. Should probably investigate more of their stuff.
A beautiful record.
OK, this was a tough one for me to write. There are a lot of songs that I like on here, none that blew me away, none that got me hyped …. Again, a lot of good songs, and I listened to in its entirety multiple times… Liking it more each time. This is the kind of thing I would love to have in the background while I was working or doing something else… Might be the kind of an album. I listen to regularly if I listen to it a couple more times! Singing is bland across all songs of the album. Lyrically is it interesting and a little autotune makes the singing fit better… Really really like the use of odd sounds, and variety of Sounds used in the songs… Like the opening, which was fascinating to me A very solid album in my opinion !!!
Lite samma stil som Pink Floyd i vissa låtar, men ganska varierande. Rätt så avslappnande. I alla fall de lugna låtarna. Musiken i sista låten påminner om meny-musiken på Wii 4 / 5
• Finner omslaget väldigt avskräckande • Appen krasha samtidigt som det brakade i första låten, läskigt • Coolt men weird soundscape, lite psykadeliskt • Rätt bra, lite Radioheadigt i vissa låtar • Låter som massa olika band, men ja kan inte placera ut dem helt • Lite Strokesigt ibland också, men med säckpipa • Sista låter som något både sångmässigt och musikmässigt, blir galen att jag inte kommer på vad => musikmässigt nån Dave Matthews låt som jag ej kan hitta => Satellite => tror ja spenderat totalt 40 min att lista ut låten ja tänker på som liknar sången i denna, blir galen Betyg: Man blir inte förvånad av att något som beskrivs som indierock är bra, men albumet var ändå överraskande unikt och hade en väldigt tydlig identitet => 4/5
Indie rockexperimental rockpsychedelic popnoise rock. Agradable. Y sugiere grupos parecidos chulos.
Great album. Cool guitars. Great vibe. 4 stars
Liked it, different, a bit tangerine dream meets the Guillimots meets departure lounge
Great album
Really good album
Deerhunter has been part of my Alternative Chill playlist for years now, however, this is my first time actually listening to a full album. What a perfect album to have on in the background while working in the office. I didn't realize I was halfway through until I looked down to see the song name for Desire Lines. Very easy to listen to. I would love to have this on vinyl to put on in the background at home.
I feel pre-disposed to like this band's sound. Cryptograms is one of my go-tos, and while I don't think the band covers much new ground, what they create keeps me listening. This album felt in this vein -- comfortable, listenable and varied enough to keep me interested until the end.
A fine album chock full of gorgeous melodies. Very drony and ethereal. The songs are catchy and interesting and just very good. 4 stars
Very varied album.
This is a little treasure, soft and beautiful. Loses momentum at a few places, otherwise excellent.
Il aura été compliqué, celui-là. Je suis d'abord passé par un rejet : chiant, mou, trop maniéré, trop torturé. Et puis en fait. Ca reste un peu trop sérieux et arty, mais ça se bonifie à chaque écoute, il faut savoir trier et ça me prendra encore quelques écoutes pour vraiment l'appréhender complètement. A retenir pour plus tard. Pour l'instant c'est surtout "Desire Lines", très Arcade Fire dans l'esprit, avec une très belle outro. Toujours une bonne idée.
4/5 Best Track: Basement Scene
Genre: Psychedelic pop, dream pop, indie pop, noise pop Standouts: Don't Cry, Revival, Sailing, Memory Boy, He Would Have Laughed. 4/5
Very pleasant albeit a bit flat.
Great album, honestly insane for how old it is compared to today
it was a cool vibe. i’m vaguely familiar with the dream pop sub genre. i listened to it twice while getting ready for work.
Relaxing album to listen to
Musicality: 4 - many layers, interesting songs, light and heavy Production & Sound: 4 - good production Artistic Expression: 4 - fairly unique sound Performance: 3 - nothing in particular stood out Engagement & Enjoyment: 4 - kept me engaged, pleasant atmosphere to it Decent album, probably needs another listen
Blew away my expectations. Intro of the first song gave me flashbacks to the slog of another alternative album, but it quickly got better. Super chill vibe.
I’ve listened to this album before, but never really any more of Deerhunter’s work. Which is strange, because this is definitely good enough to warrant further investigation. Sure, there are times when it’s fairly standard guitar-based indie, but there are other times when it rises above those confines to create something a bit transcendent, like Desire Lines, or something that sounds like I’m in a very pleasant dream, like Helicopter and He Would Have Laughed. The general theme of nostalgia and melancholy appeals to me too. 3.5
Loving this vibe. Denis told me it’s a classic
Great alternative/indie rock album from Deerhunter. I did not know who this band was until listening to this album through here. Dreamy and psychedelic. Favorite Song(s): "Desire Lines", "Helicopter", "Coronado"
It’s gonna be an album I will love once I listen to it more. Memory boy and Desire Lines got me at first tho.
Really good album, very dreamy
Ethereal fuzzy psych rock songs that evoke 60s bubblegum pop with soft vocals, light riffs, lo-fi production, and strange background effects. In its lightest moments, it's dreamy minimalist lo-fi folk that I couldn't resist obsessing over. Has a lot of that nostalgia factor that makes them relaxing and pleasant. I don't like some song transitions like "Sailing" to "Memory Boy" which I found too harsh. But in general, almost every song ends soft and quiet, but starts with a bang, meaning stringing them together is not as pleasant as it could be. Maybe buildups would be appreciated. Appropriate intro and closer. Hits are dispersed. The weaker tracks "Fountain Stairs" and "Coronado" are near the end, but they're not boring so it's still appreciated and not necessary to keep my engagement. Also, I really hate how they cut off "He Would Have Laughed" like that. Dinosaur Jr can do it because it's edgy and fits the lo-fi noisy vibe, but here it ruins a satisfying conclusion to this dreamlike record. I listed everything I didn't like. But I honestly had a good time with it all, and tons of highlights. Fix the transitions, change that closing, brownie points if they make the weakest songs a bit better, then there's that final star.
Listened to this when it first came out, good album
Fantastic indie rock album! Like a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon this album is melancholic and welcoming. I listened to this album a bit when it came out but never dug into it as much as I should. Will definitely be looking for this on vinyl.
Indie rockexperimental rockpsychedelic popnoise rock. Agradable. Y sugiere grupos parecidos chulos.
I liked the sound of this, but it didn't stand out massively for me.
Always a fan of the softer more experimental side of Deerhunter. Favorite Tracks: “Memory Boy” “He Would have Laughed”. 4.5
Deerhunter has been a band I've known about but had not really listened to until this. It took a minute, but I was pleasantly surprised. They have a lot of great influences and mesh it together into something truly unique and genuine. This album has some beautiful, catchy guitar work with really interesting keyboards and experimentation that carry the songs in ways I didn't expect. (I like the sax, too.) A few songs are taking some time to sink in but this is a keeper for sure.
A theme of romantizing the past and a blend of various styles, including folk, shoegaze and electronica. The result is an album that sounds like particularly raw, unpolished, and melancholy indie rock.
HL: “Helicopter”, “Don’t Cry”, “He Would Have Laughed”, “Earthquake” Not quite sure how this made it on the list, but I’m glad it’s here. I believe it’s still in the newest edition, whereas other 2000s indie records by Dirty Projectors, MGMT & Grizzly Bear were culled, so I’ll take it as a representation of that era. “Helicopter” was the only song I knew before, crackin’ good tune, that **** August 18, 2023
Interesting & relaxing album, I particularly liked Revival and Helicopter
Not bad. Definitely a specimen of the indie rock sound from this time. The production and instrumentation sound great. I didn’t listen close enough to get a feel for the song quality but it does make me want to listen more.
My local college indie station kinda has a limited selection even though with their license they could play a lot more stuff. This was slightly above middle of the road, but feels like something I would get really interested in if it happened to play on that college station. Basement Scene is really good though, and the lyrics were cool. BT - Basement Scene - Desire Lines - Don't Cry - Helicopter
Always felt a bit mixed about this album and it does take a song to get into the groove but then is very good.
I quite liked this, pretty dreamy and hazy with a slightly folky feel.
Solid 3.5 here. Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this. Good stuff
This was a very nice, dreamy, indie pop album. That’s pretty much all I have to say. Halcyon Digest is a psychedelic, dream pop record that has pretty indie feeling production and songwriting. I am a personal fan of dreamier, psychedelic music and this is certainly that. It’s not groundbreaking, I can say that, but it’s still pretty good. I was a personal fan of the few slow songs like “Sailing” but the record is still very dreamy. The lyrics and songwriting is all pretty good, the performances are all pretty good, it’s pretty standard all things considered but good nonetheless. This may be highballing the record a bit, but an 8/10 would be a fair rating. It’s a nice dream pop record and it’s good for that reason.
Didn't know this band before this but really enjoyed this album!
Starts a bit slow but amazing once you get into it. Songs like Helicopter and Revival are the type of songs I can get addicted to.
More like 3.5-3.75 but I'll round up.
Will definitely listen to this one again!
I expect to come back to this one for closer and closer listens. Very nice production, layers, vocals, and more.
Nice and mellow. Diden't grab me completely but I think it might on the second listen...
Me gustó mucho. Me parece algo extraño que la primer canción terminara siendo la peor, pero, en general, se defiende muy bien. No tengo ni idea de qué genero sea, pero, aunque no me parece tan "único", tiene mucha personalidad. Le doy cuatro porque, aunque tampoco creo que sea una obra maestra, me gustó mucho.
bem bom 4/5
Never heard of the band, the album or any song from it. It was a dark, moving, psychedelic journey, and I was certainly reminded of other bands like Radiohead and The Beatles at times, but this still felt quite unique. I'm not feeling good at all today, and this made a worthy companion for the dissociations that my down days bring. Some of the songs got a little too boring, and the pacing seemed a little weird sometimes, but it was still a very good album. Favourite: Coronado
Really enjoyed this. Ethereal
an overall pleasant listening experience
I was looking forward to some dreamy shoegaze when the first song started playing and got left with mostly run-of-the-mill, albeit strong, indie. Great album, but lacking a little something for me to include that last star.
Weirdly excited for this one. very chill. 3 or 4. rounding up cause ive had some stinkers lately.
Never heard of these guys, but this album is pretty cool! Revival is a great song, very chill indie/alt/pop album. Sweet and luscious, just like me 😋🫢
Hard to say if these guys, beach fossils, or real estate capture a certain side of 2010 the best. Still holds up. Still makes me think I'm sitting in al's bar. All my friends were there.
A lot better and more interesting that other music of the era.
Strong indie rock album.
phenomenal.
I really liked this album. Felt like a dream. Looking forward to a relisten. Or maybe nap.
Quality if a touch uneven. The dreaminess nicely complemented by upbeat brightness that feels a bit like waking up on the right side of the bed.
Pretty good. Another one to file in the 'really needs more time' category. I will be coming back for a few more (maybe many more) listens. 1 - bad 2 - average 3 - good 4 - great 5 - outstanding
Really like it, it’s match perfectly with the mood I was in. I’ll listen to it again in a near future
Desire Lines is a fantastic track
Don't judge a book by its cover, this dream pop album isn't as dark as it seems to be. It started off a bit slow for me & it's definitely a grower. Beautifully atmospheric and there are many great song on it.
Already listened
4.0 + Bradford Cox was an indie staple in my music diet of the 10's, and this record may be his best showcase (along with his first couple of records as Atlas Sound). He's a wizard at adding white noise to create waves of color and texture, especially on tracks like "Earthquake." And I love the way he creates walls of vocal reverb. Also on here is probably my favorite Deerhunter song of all time, "Desire Lines."
- nice, gentle background music
This is one of those albums that takes a little while to digest. Upon the first couple of listens it was enjoyable though
this was good!
Quite a cool album.. To be honest. Musicalities and instrumentals are nice to hear. However the some vocals are really teeny in a way... It is still a good 45 minutes... Very decent 3.5/4
It's a nice blend of dream pop and indie rock that's not overly conventional yet still palatable to mainstream ears.
Very weird and dreamy atmosphere, but I really enjoyed it.
notes - indie rock with some psych and pop elements - according to singer bradford cox supposed to sound like a series of dispatches from a fantasy land - theres definitely a fantasy element to it, surreal - has a bit of a self-produced edge which keeps it from sounding polished in a good way - similar to contemporaries like grizzly bear - good length, good track list fav - helicopter - like the harp omnichord thing and the chorus least fav - earthquake - very different from the rest of the album and doesnt really set the tone didnt love it but i enjoyed it 4/5
Very early-70s feel to a lot of it, interesting
I enjoyed this!
Neutral milk hotel, the Beatles, arcade fire all rolled into one- not as good as any one of them on their own but a very pleasant sounding result!
the first 3 or 4 tracks didn't really do it for me, but the middle third of this album is very strong. Very early 00s US indie but some great songs.
82/100: This was an absolutely, shockingly fantastic album. This album is an acid trip in the medium of music. I momentarily forgot who I was while driving down the road listening to "Helicopter." Deerhunter sounds like if you mixed Tame Impala with your local garage rock band in the best way possible. I will definitely be exploring more of their stuff, as I love their sound.
yes. this was good. i liked it 8/10
Psychedelic, Ethereal, Intimate, Mellow, Subtle, Lush, Depressing, Atmospehric
Knew the name, didn't know the album or indeed any of the songs on it. Totally up my street, really liked this. Really good background music for working, beautifully atmospheric, but I did also listen to it with much more attention whilst I was having my lunch and it's got a lot more to give. Not an album with many real individual standout tracks, but the overall sound is one that I really like, will listen to this much more regularly and seek out their other stuff.
Throughly enjoyed it
Très bon album, assez atmosphérique. La vibe est bonne, et une autre belle découverte!
Really like the cinematic feel of this. Could grow to love it.
Dreamy
Prefs: Earthquake, Don't Cry, Revival, Memory Boy, Desire Lines, Helicopter, Coronado, He Would Have Laughed Moins pref: Sailing
It was nice in a Mogwai/better end of Sonic Youth way. Melancholic, hazy sound walls with sighed vocals. I feel like, with some time invested I could grow to really like this record, it's certainly my kind of thing.
wasn't a fan at the start but after the first few songs i thought it was great
Very dark pop. Should take another listen
A very easy listening. shoegazing rock/pop.
très bon, délire rock susurré, je valide
Sjećam se da sam ovaj album par puta pokušao slušati, ne sjećam se previše albuma, ali par pjesama definitivno da, ima potencijala. Pogotovo pjesme Helicopter, Desire Lines, Basement Scene i He Would Have Laughed - krasne stvari. Nakon toga sam još jednom poslušao i mogu reći da mi je dost dobar, bit će još bolji s vremenom.
SO CHILL
Lots of good sounds, variety, interesting lyrics. A lack of bangers/it not being my usual style prevents a 5
really good album, the type i love listening to.
Mjao riktigt bra!
love it. partial to desire lines. so good.
some songs were average but although a great lp
Solid indie rock album with some interesting use of unusual sounds
Было чутка интересно. Слушать также приятно
listen
Pretty good easy listening
I was real excited for this album cause I’ve heard some deerhunter before and really enjoyed it. It started off really strong (the first song is amazing) but fell off a bit as it went, although I still thought it was quite good for the most part
Frábær plata, gaman að kynnast einhverju svona nýju.
Прикольная музыка. Не моя, но есть треки хорошие. Особенно понравился трек Helicopter, напомнивший мне Old Friends дуэта Simon & Garfunkel.
Amazing and pleasant experience listening to this album. I had heard of Deerhunter prior but hadn't checked out any music up until now. Favorite songs are Desire Lines, Helicopter and He Would Have Laughed
first listen boring in places but the tones kept me interested
Good, not great. Some really catchy bits and nice textures.
3.5/5 Pretty experimental and out there and dreamy for the most part. A little meandering too doe.
The first song had me a little concerned about the direction of the album, but I wound up pleasantly surprised. It wasn't all a not-quite-successful attempt to follow in the footsteps of Radiohead (who likely can't be replicated). In fact, "Halcyon Digest" is the rare album that consistently gets better as it goes along. By the end, I realized I had solidly enjoyed it, and will check out more Deerhunter in the future.
good album. easy listen and approachable but not derivative.
Indie rockexperimental rockpsychedelic popnoise rock. Agradable. Y sugiere grupos parecidos chulos.
Really liked this album, going to listen to more of their stuff
Didn’t click at first but a second listen helped. Really good
I love the 2010s magical fairy forest vibes in this album! Love Memory Boy and Basement Scene especially! Some parts of this remind me of the Mystery Jets and Arcade Fire I don't know who came first... I don't love towards the end it gets a little bit too mushy for me!
4.5
A pretty decent indie rock album. Chill vibes emanated from the album, and I found myself pretty relaxed listening to it. Where some albums I've gotten recently have been harder rock or more intensive listens, I enjoyed the mellowness of this.
Behagelig, men ikke kjedelig. Innslag av trompet og Harpe (?). Kan minne om Smashing Pumpkins, men mindre skråling. Revival er best. He Would Have Laughed er litt vel lang.
Enjoyed the weird pop feel, but not excessively. Ended up being a bit background to Sowenna!
Another great find...I really enjoyed this record.
Better than expected
What a weird and cool album. It's a bit slow-paced, but overall it was really interesting 4/5
Kind of dreamy and atmospheric at the beginning, that ramps up to almost a celebration at the end.
I liked this more than I was expecting to
Some really good tracks, especially enjoyed the last one
This is definitely not the most remarkable album on this list, but I did find myself thoroughly enjoying it. The music has a sort of gentle, fleeting or ephemeral grace to it that I find soothing yet also stimulating.
2021-01-05, p933. Spotify OK US indie guitar rock, vaguely 60s vibe
I know some of the songs and of course I’ve seen the sleeve many times but I don’t know why I had never heard this one in complete before. I loved it
A very pleasant listen
nice
First time I'd heard of this band. Enjoyed it, will listen again and explore more.
It’s a nice album. Quite short but many of the songs are really pleasant and kinda catchy. Some don’t make much of an impression though. 7/10
Solid album, good vibes
I was in college when this music dominated the indie scene and as such, it has a nostalgic feeling for me when I hear it’s driving and contemplative melodies. In retrospect, I can see how much of this indie alternative musics sounds the same. Nevertheless, Deerhunter does that style very well.
Überraschend gute Musik
I first heard this album earlier this year after reading a lot about it as a pinnacle of 2010's indie rock- for the most part, it really hits the mark. "Halcyon Digest" is a very well produced, put together album. On first listen, some of the most striking tracks are the most dreamlike ones, slow and spacey with ambient leanings ("Earthquake", "Helicopter", "Sailing"). These are deliciously atmospheric pieces that send every reverse-delay snare hit, spacious arpeggio and guitar strum floating delicately through the air. They're also the album's only real flaw, representing the moments where "Halcyon Digest" is most at risk of going blind from all the navel gazing. While "Earthquake" is a lovely opener, "Sailing" risks becoming too long, and "Helicopter" comes close to feeling like a recap. Thankfully, the sequencing is fantastic here and these longer pieces are interwoven with short, catchy pop gems. Across the rest of the album, Cox and co. continue to carve rough pop gems out of lo-fi fuzz and a 3-chord songbook: "Fountain Stairs", "Memory Boy" and "Don't Cry" are all accessible melodies dressed in light distortion and plenty of reverb. They have a nostalgic feeling, often bringing to mind 60s baroque-pop in their ornate simplicity. It's not short of more contemporary influences either- I definitely felt some Arcade Fire in "Coronado", but a much more homespun version, bombast free. It all goes to say that these aren't the most original or innovative songs to come out of the last decade, but they are engrossing listens nonetheless. Bradford Cox's vocals are non-committal, shrugging, detached- to a point which could be annoying if the aforementioned melodies didn't feel so effortless. The perfect marriage of the two is "Desire Lines," a behemoth of a song with a guitar solo outro reaching across the ocean, buoyed by a simple, singalong chorus. Finally, my favourite on offering is "He Would Have Laughed", an absolutely gorgeous odyssey to send out the band on a wistful peak. Its first four minutes or so are a gradually building stop-start riff, before it breaks into beautiful washes of synth and a lilting, wistful melody. It feels like the waves breaking, and is a perfect way to close the album.
3.5/5. This was alright, a little better than average. I thought most of the tracks sounded similar, however, they were good.
Mys indie
Really cool, they give out some Nirvana/Radiohead feels, chill with some extra good melodies and riffs!
Helps remove stress.
No clue what this might be… Put this on and the odd “percussion” that opens “Earthquake” mad me wonder what I was in for. Things quickly became quite ethereal and I suddenly wanted to be floating in a pool in the dark. This music has a strange polished shamble to it that appeals. “Don’t Cry” staggers its way to its conclusion then “Revival” gets things back up to speed. It has a very nice musical interlude at its heart. This album has a way of being unconventional while avoiding becoming unpleasant. It’s hard to pin down the hooks - they drift by and slip away before you really lock your ears on them. The saxophone in “Coronado” was very welcome. I have been complaining about how the sax has been instrument-non-grata in popular music this millennia… There’s a kind of Radiohead-crossed-with-The-Shaggs-with-a-dose-of-Badly-Drawn-Boy quality that I find quite compelling. A welcome addition to my library.
This album was great, with particular highlights being Revival and Desire Lines (sounding very VERY similar to Arcade FIre's Rebellion (Lies) ). lots of late 90s / early 00's influences in here to enjoy- the aforementioned Arcade Fire being one, The Breeders another
26/30 i liked it alot
A beautiful album.
Sonic soundscapes that were both relaxing and energetic. Music to play board games to. Good stuff.
I know there's some big fans of this group or genre in the Rabbit Hole. I didn't mind the album, didn't totally love it either. I did have it playing all day so that says something positive. I didn't really like the buzzy distortion sound in Earthquake (and at times Don't Cry). The dreamy rock in Sailing, Helicopter, or Desire Lines was more up my alley; really loved that last song. Memory Boy and Basement Scene sounded like 60's rock taken to new heights. Fountain Stairs and Coronado got a little heavier (didn't mind it) and then the start to He Would Have Laughed (and the riff that goes throughout) was just super cool. Great way to take an album home.
Really good sound engineering. A homage to rock history in a melacholic way (7/10) Favourite Tracks: He Would Have Laughed, Revival
Enjoying romp in alternative.
Jess really likes this kind of music (ESP song Desire Lines) and Ian says he would return and listen to this album again.
I found the first song irritating and thought I might have to abandon the album. Really improved after the first song and I enjoyed it.
Muy buen disco. Interesante y fresco.
i lol'ed
goob, chill songs with good album pacing
Very slow and melodic instrumentals, along with some deep vocals and a vibe that gets amplified by it’s album cover
A very enjoyable listen that I will need to go back and revisit more than once
Love this album.
sounds like the Beatles and Tom Petty, I like the saxophone use
I really liked this, even though I'm not sure why, and found it hard to describe - AOR but good?
Never heard of this one. Seems like there are a lot of those.
Alternatief maar wel goed gedaan
reminds me of the postal service at times. Has it’s moments but a lot of it is kinda boring. 7
Like a low 7? Idk, didn't pay that close of attention because I was cooking
Weird but chill
It has surprised me,i really liked it
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.
I like the way it sounds but it wasn’t interesting enough to hold my attention super well. 7
Sehr schön
Love this. Chilled and jangly and beautiful.
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.
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
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.
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.
Very good ambient rock/shoegaze. Definitely recommend to a friend
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
Great
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.
Catchy indie music with echo-y vocals and good beats. Highlights: -Revival -Sailing -Helicopter -He Would Have Laughed
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.
Quite radioheadish I liked it
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.
My type of music when you are just working aimlessly
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
John would love this one.
Great alternative with pop sensibilities at points
relaxing, was putting me to sleep.
Very cool album. Definitely added to my Pandora collection.
Very good indie dream noise pop - last track is great.
Good this
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.
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.
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.
Up and down. Just me or brilliant alternating with whatever? Sometimes in the same song ("What goes up must come down"--Huh?) Sometimes an individual song like Basement Song can leave me out. Then like Helicopter--wow.
-interesting indie pop / shoegaze revival type sound. had never heard of this band but apparently they’re pretty respected for what they are -this album simultaneously sounds timeless and very, very 2010 - in a good way, i think. not my kind of music but really beautiful in its own way -Favorites: Desire Lines, Basement Scene, He Would Have Laughed
This was… fine. I always wanted to like this album more than I actually did, back when this was trendy in the indie circles. It’s got a pretty cool sound, but most of the songs are boring. At least until the last 3-4 tunes.