First listen: Deerhoof - La Isla Bonita

[frippster]

Are they Punk Rock as it says in Wikipedia?

Punk as in 1-2-3-4 grrrrr? No.

Punk as in a non-mainstream, DIY/underground aesthetic? Sure.

Put another way, they're a whole lot closer in spirit (not sound) to Public Image Ltd. than Sex Pistols.

[JKL2000]

I listened to a couple of tracks. It's not for me - I'm not very interested in pop, and I can't really take those vocals.

[miamiscot]

Her vocals can be a deal-breaker for some but I personally love them. My synopsis of their discography:

The Man, The King, The Girl (1997) 6/10
Holdypaws (1999) 7/10
Halfbird (2001) 6.5/10
Reveille (2002) 9/10
Apple 'O (2003) 10/10
Milk Man (2004) 9.5/10
Green Cosmos EP (2005) 8/10
The Runners Four (2005) 9/10
Friend Opportunity (2007) 9.5/10
Offend Maggie (2008) 9.5/10
Deerhoof Vs. Evil (2011) 7/10
Breakup Song (2012) 8/10
La Isla Bonita (2014) 8.5/10

Really great stuff. If you like them maybe try some early Blonde Redhead as well:

[miamiscot]

Hoping for good things on this one. Vs. Evil didn't really do much for me and I never got around to getting Breakup Song. Probably will pick it up with this new one.

You are correct. Deerhoof Vs. Evil was a bit of a letdown. Breakup Song is way better and the new one is bonkers.

[JKL2000]

Her vocals can be a deal-breaker for some but I personally love them.

Does she ever actually sing, or does she always just sort of talk as she did in the tracks I listened to?

[Steve F.]

I dunno, Jed. Does Fish ever actually sing?

[Scrotum Scissor]

I dunno, Jed. Does Fish ever actually sing?

Well, he sure makes for a desperate effort, the only problem being that someone seemingly stuffed a potato halfway down his throat.

[100423]

Well, he sure makes for a desperate effort, the only problem being that someone seemingly stuffed a potato halfway down his throat.

I always figured it was a turnip, but the results would be the same.

[miamiscot]

Does she ever actually sing, or does she always just sort of talk as she did in the tracks I listened to?

Not really. That's kind of her thing. And it's not for everyone but once you break through their music is incredible.

[3LockBox]

I listened to a couple of tracks. It's not for me - I'm not very interested in pop, and I can't really take those vocals.

you hear pop? really?

So... this isn't post-rock or RIO or avant-garde or something?

Anyway... I've listened to the posted track as well as one other on the YouTube and they were both a chore. Not for me.

[Scrotum Scissor]

So... this isn't post-rock or RIO or avant-garde or something?

"RIO" was never a 'sound', but a movement of certain creative ethics in experimental rock. "Avant-garde"? In 1969, ItCotCK was 'avant-garde', just like most progressive rock was supposed to imply; the term 'avant-garde' doesn't denote a "genre" based on the logics some of you (erroneously) apply to define "prog".

BTW, Frost* are not progressive. As in: their music does not represent progression. And that's not saying they "aren't 'prog'", because THAT they are. Of course.

Life goes on.

[JKL2000]

I dunno, Jed. Does Fish ever actually sing?

Funny you should ask, as I'm listening to a live Fish CD from 1989 right now. He's singing Gisabun! Sure, he sings.

My question was legit, and someone answered it.

[Scrotum Scissor]

My question was legit, and someone answered it.

Oh, but ALL questions are legit.

[JKL2000]

Oh, but ALL questions are legit.

Tell Steve that! I just wanted to make sure I hadn't chosen a couple of tracks from the band's one spoken-word album or from their spoken-word phase or something. I have a pretty high "unusual vocals" tolerance but these are beyond it. Bjork's are too, and I know lots of people love her music. Not that the vocals are the weirdest or worst or anything, but we all have certain triggers.