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2002 This album was certainly a throw back in some ways to my early deer years. I think going back and toying with my old PS2 computer gave a fresh direction for the album and inspired me to recapture my love for concept albums. Granted, this one is not a real “in your face” story, but there IS one there. You may just have to fill in some of the blanks yourself. The whole underlying computer theme is quite reflective of my life. The following is a review of the album by my Bandito cohort Brian Hammond :
there are some bands that don't require any thought when it comes to scooping up their latest release. for me, one of those bands is deer. well, not really, 'cause he gives me all his new cd's and tapes and they're not actually available in stores (but you know what i mean). his third release this year (following the excellent, mostly instrumental ice breaker and his epic side project with me, bandito) is somewhat a return to earlier times for deer. one is reminded of the first three or so deer albums where computers spoke, beats rocked, vocalist sung higher than chipmunks, and silly/fun times were had. of course, there's a more mature feeling than the marshmallow dip album here. an overall theme of feeling vs. logic, the past and future vs. the present, and human vs. robot prevails in these stripped down, more raw, colorful songs. the album moves at a very quick pace-you're on song 9 before you know it (and by that time you're ready for the final wind down). after a short intro, "answering machine" kicks things off in a good party mood, featuring live, flanged drums. two minutes later things get "kicked up a notch" (term used on deer's website describing his intention for his already in progress follow-up) with "playaz (playin' games), another upbeat mood setter. next up, we get to go back in time to the days of hanging out in the fort salonga basement with the midi-fest of "brain". whenever i hear this sort of tune from deer, i always find myself imagining bob being fancied among the IDM squarepusher/aphex twin/autechre circles. on "novia scotia", things get slow! ed down to a breezy, content piece of swirliness. one of the more memorable tunes on the record. "the ocean motion" is a brilliant janes addiction meets white stripes meets...uh, deer. sounds like the single. wait the next song, "bellyachin', now that's the joint. futuristic midi beats, weird chord structures, and old man lispy vocal delivery accompany this song about people talkin' just to be heard. my fave on the disc. "the other side of town" was considered for the bandito disc, but it fits much better on if then else. the computer/vocal duet theme begins with this infectious, very hummable song. it's companion "if then else" is a very good piano written tune with some great sounding drums. this song gets to the heart of the themes of this record. "grass jam" is a funky raw tune with rhythmic toasting about which tense makes more sense. this coupled with "nova scotia redux" bring the record out of it's debate-like peak and into a care-free warmness. "what's o! n your mind" provides some closure and brings things back to ! earth. the outro contradicts all of that with it's industrial revenge theme, brilliant! all of this in just over a half-hour. thanks again bob! |
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If Then Else |
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If Then Else |
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The Shiza Records Family Bands |
