Search - Deerhoof :: Offend Maggie

Offend Maggie
Deerhoof
Offend Maggie
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1

Ultimately, Deerhoof is not about notes and rhythms, but about emotion. Deerhoof has that Brian Wilson gift for communicating every shading of their lyrics, even with the barest of rock and roll provisions. This is their "...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Deerhoof
Title: Offend Maggie
Members Wishing: 7
Total Copies: 0
Label: Kill Rock Stars
Original Release Date: 1/1/2008
Re-Release Date: 10/7/2008
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Hardcore & Punk, Indie & Lo-Fi, Progressive, Progressive Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 759656048521, 0666017192222

Synopsis

Product Description
Ultimately, Deerhoof is not about notes and rhythms, but about emotion. Deerhoof has that Brian Wilson gift for communicating every shading of their lyrics, even with the barest of rock and roll provisions. This is their "feel" record - loose and funky and deliciously rough around the edges. Say what you will about Deerhoof, but they know how to write a beautiful song. And "Offend Maggie" is all the more beautiful for the fact that it seems to come out of nowhere. For all its sparkling musicanship, it sounds casually tossed off like it was nothing at all. It's a new sound for the band as much as it's a new sound for pop music. While John Dieterich's acoustic guitar seems to channel Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure, Ed Rodriguez's electric conjures classic Townsend. Singer/bassist Satomi Matsuzaki (with drummer Greg Saunier on harmony vocal) tells a plaintive story in which telemarketing calls are a metaphor for unrequited love. The bittersweet magic of this short song promises a major thrill ride when its 14-track namesake is released next month. For those who have been following their remarkable career, "Offend Maggie" represents another Deerhoofian high-water mark, even as it shows another abrupt shift in direction. With these master gamesters, you can never guess their next move, but once they've made it, it somehow seems
inevitable. One listen and you'll know "Offend Maggie" could only be
Deerhoof. Two listens and you'll be in love.

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CD Reviews

Offend Maggie
Andrew Vice | Plano, TX | 10/08/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"On their latest record, Deerhoof are a band heading in the right direction, hitting a sweet spot between their characteristic experimentation and a more enjoyable, accessible kind of pop songwriting. Since 2005's The Runner's Four, the band has been moving more and more towards this kind of sound, blending unpredictable shifts with great hooks. On the opener, "The Tears of Music and Love," you can hear the band's typical style in the riff's dropped final measure, creating an unexpected jump to the beginning of the next measure. It's a great tool for the start of the record, creating interest and some unpredictability that keeps the listener engaged. "Chandelier Searchlight" and "Buck and Judy" are fun, pretty tracks that have a very J-pop oriented sound. The title track is very cool, pairing a shuffling drum beat with lilting vocals and quick guitar work.



As someone who is not a Deerhoof fan, this is a record that I would actually purchase. Where their previous work has been either too random or too pretentious for me to really get into, this album hits its stride quickly, mixing fun with a modest amount of pretentious experimentation the band is known for."
Deerhoof Treading Beautifully...
P. Cusick | planet earth | 11/01/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some Indie acts languish just below the line thanks to any number of clichés: bad luck, bad timing, bad manager - the list goes on. But some bands hover below the radar because, quite frankly, theirs is an acquired taste that precious few will ever discover to become part of a daily, nutritious, musical breakfast. For those who do not, it is indeed their loss.



Enter Deerhoof. While theirs would not be characterized as traditional fare like pancakes, it is no less comforting. Imagine tamago kake gohan with a side of corned beef hash and topped with Hollandaise from scratch. Sounds a bit avant garde? Such has been Deerhoof's approach to music since its inception; most notably in choosing bassist/lead vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki, who, at the time she joined the band, had no musical experience upon arriving in the U.S. via Japan to study film. Contrasted by drummer Greg Saunier, who sports a Master's Degree in composition, Deerhoof are an exotic spread indeed.



Recruiting such a novice to front the band has necessitated a collective approach to song writing, explains guitarist Edward Rodriguez, "We all have such different likes, dislikes and backgrounds, but we all trust each other and respect each others' input, so by the time the songs are recorded, they've gone through countless stages. When we reach a point where everyone is happy, we feel like we've arrived at something special."



Their newest offering, Offend Maggie, must have enjoyed emphatic approval from each of its members. Like a chef transforming contrasting, raw ingredients into a balanced, complex entrée, Deerhoof have crafted each song from raw elements into beautifully layered compositions. Satomi's delicate Japanese lilt is contrasted by Rodriguez's and John Dietrich's assertive guitars and Saunier's melodic, thundering drums. But don't expect a concept album on Offend Maggie, explains Rodriguez, "...not really so much a concept album but a concept to create the album. It's not really like a story from beginning to end," he continues, "but a reflection of how we're feeling right now, how we're seeing things right now."



Some might say Deerhoof are feeling slightly scattered, as are most of us these days. But it is Deerhoof's ability to articulate their present state of mind in each song with such clarity that makes them simultaneously calming and disarming, much like a great meal. Each song has its own flavor; some elemental, some playful, with others complex and robust. Combined, Offend Maggie's humble ingredients and street food charm transcend to gourmet heights, culminating in a rich concoction sure to sate even the most jaded musical palate."