Band: Deerhunter
Album: Cryptograms
Label: Kranky Records

1. “Intro” – (B-) – Reminds me of an atmospheric No Age number.
2. “Cryptograms” – (B+) – Not really my kind of Deerhunter tune, although it does have a lot of little hints of catchiness.
3. “White Ink” – (C) – Relaxing and probably great under the influence of some kind of drug, but as a stand alone track…boring.
4. “Lake Somerset” – (B) – Too chaotic for my liking, but still decent enough. If pure noise and subliminal hooks are your kind of thangs then God bless you.
5. “Providence” – (C) – See “White Ink” for this.
6. “Octet” – (B-) – Too long, but has a decent drumbeat.
7. “Red Ink” – (D) – Really, really, really pointless. Top of the line pointlessness.
8. “Spring Hall Convert” – (B+) – Mellow rock. Perhaps veers too much in the ambient direction.
9. “Strange Lights” – (B) – Similar in quality to the track before it.
10. “Hazel Street” – (A-) – Down to earth (woo hoo!). A fun adventure.
11. “Tape Hiss Orchid” – (D) – See, “Red Ink.” Thanks.
12. “Heatherwood” – (B+) – Pretty neat. Not a great closer, but it’s fun.

Final Comments: If you are sucker for ambiance and I mean AMBIANCE, this record is for you! If you like rock and roll and I mean ROCK AND ROLL, this record is probably not for you. For those suckers who like a delicate mix, it will probably be like flipping a quarter. TAILS, you like it. HEADS, you hate it. For me, unfortunately, this would probably fall somewhere in the middle or lower end of my favorite albums of a given year. In other words, this record isn’t very notable in Deerhunter’s discography let alone music. Period. I feel like I might be too harsh to a certain degree…I mean this isn’t an aimless record. Deerhunter is better than that.

Grade: B- (80)