Deerhoof Friend Opportunity CD

Although Deerhoof famously covered the seemingly uncoverable Shaggs gem "My Pal Foot Foot" early in their career, their overall vision has more in common with a different group of brilliantly amateurish women: the Raincoats. Now a trio--after the departure of guitarist Chris Cohen--the San Francisco avant-twee stalwarts inherit from the Raincoats not only a childish sweetness and daft charm, but also intricately layered and inspired musicianship. Despite the oddities, Deerhoof are no slouches.

FRIEND OPPORTUNITY continues their string of masterpieces--all the more impressive considering the mercurial line-up. Vocalist and bassist Satomi Matsuzaki, guitarist John Dieterich, and Greg Saunier remain the stalwarts here. "The Perfect Me," "+81," and "Matchbook Seeks Maniac" finds them perfecting the Deerhoof brew of stunted, off-kilter pop with bursts of experimentation that always sound organic and wank-free. "Believe ESP" adds elements of Minutemen-style funk into the mix, while "Kidz Are So Small" wraps a meandering Matsuzaki melody around a falling-down-the-stairs drum track. The album closes with "Look Away," a meditative epic--both rare qualities in the Deerhoof catalog--that the band nails with heartfelt aplomb.

Lyricist: David Shrigley.

Audio Mixers: Deerhoof; Ian Pellicci.

Recording information: Castro Theater, San Fancisco; New, Improved Recordings; Tiny Telephone.Rolling Stone (p.66) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Over kitchen-sink instrumentation -- fuzzed-out guitars, organ, spooky synths -- Japanese vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki sings lovely, impressionistic lyrics in a childlike voice."
Spin (p.85) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[W]ith the helium-tinged Matsuzaki front and center, Deerhoof's music remains deliciously skewed."
Q (p.117) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Satomi Matsuzaki's girlish vocals provide a sweetener to John Dieterich and Greg Saunier's tumble of stop-start rhythms, guitars, fairground organs and churchy horns."
Alternative Press (p.136) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "FRIEND OPPORTUNITY is perfectly sweet and adorable pop music that can every once in a while show a gritty, even a sexy edge."
The Wire (p.49) - "The droning keyboards, surprising arrangements and beautiful vocals of 'Matchbook Seeks Maniac' conclude a vibrant and explosive album from a group that keeps getting better."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.100) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[W]arm and attractive. Deerfhoof are a topsy-turvy, what's-wrong-is-right kind of band."