Album Review: Deerhoof - Breakup Song

The 'Hoof return with their 57th album in 12 minutes, having spent time relaxing, recording and playing gigs that included their presence earlier this year at the very well-attended Sydney Festival (a blistering performance by the way).

Deerhoof generally make music that is pop at its core but that is also the type skewed by broken samples, noise, metal, garage and every other genre bar hip hop under the sun. Breakup Song has all the above and more, and in comparison to last year's Deerhoof Vs Evil, the band have managed during the recording and writing process to conjure up new moments that sometimes lean toward beat and groove, Cuban dance (listen to The Trouble With Candyhands) and '80s emo rave (check out the intro to the track To Fly Or Not To Fly). Always ones to keep it interesting, here you'll be left wondering what process is applied when they're putting a song together - certainly the element of free-jazz seems to underpin every song, mostly because of what legendary drummer Greg Saunier brings to the table - and whether they have a tough time remembering the many elements, which must suck when it comes time to touring. There are enough hooks here to appease old-timers and enough other bits to interest the casual listener, with a heap of grinding, upbeat and happy moods. If this is the band's break-up album, I quake to think what the dating album might sound like, let alone the procreation record - shitballs! Highly recommended listening if you like your indie music well done.