Deerhunter – Fading Frontier
4AD 2015
Jeffrey Farbman
The indie darlings are back with their first full-length LP since the release of Monomania in 2013. I can picture it now: A hipster Pitchfork journalist drinking his organic shade-grown coffee somewhere in Portland, index finger lightly quivering over the number 9 on his MacBook pro keyboard as he finalizes his review for this excellent album. It’s no secret that Deerhunter OWNS Pitchfork. The ratings from their previous four releases are as follows: 8.3, 9.2,9.2 and 8.9. That’s nothing to scoff at. Pitchfork-envy aside, Deerhunter is extremely talented, consistent and at the top of their game. Their new album Fading Frontier confirms this. Expertly infusing elements of dream-pop, garage, psychedelia, noise and drone, listening to Deerhunter is like taking a bath in jello while receiving an intergalactic ear-drum massage.
Let me back track for a moment. In 2010 Deerhunter released Halcyon Digest which became an instant indie classic and was hailed by many top critics as their AOTY. Halcyon Digest was the beginning of a new style for Deerhunter. They discarded much of their abrasive and aggressive sound in place for hauntingly beautiful shoegaze anthems. Just one listen to their single Earthquake will abundantly confirm this. This all comes in stark contrast to their very first album, pleasantly titled Turn It Up Faggot which showcased a band in its infancy still searching for an identity. Oddly enough, Pitchfork never took time to review that title.
With Fading Frontier, Deerhunter has reached a new apex in their musical journey. I can honestly say that this album surprised me. After 2013’s Monomania, a heavier, angrier garage rock album, I expected Fading Frontier to follow suit. Instead they took a 180 degree turn with a more mellow approach. This music is beautiful, melodic and even *gasp* catchy at times! The first four tracks can easily stand on their own as singles and it’s a seamless listen all the way through, with one exception. The track Snakeskin doesn’t seem to fit in to the overall flow, but this can easily be forgiven. Deerhunter gets a pardon for one lackluster song because they are sounding better than ever. Whether it’s an angry record like Monomania or one that’s more serene like Fading Frontier, Deerhunter doesn’t seem to be slowing down. They remain as one of the most versatile and reliable acts in indie rock today.
Rating: A-
