Artist: Deerhunter
Full Title: Deerhunter iTunes Live From SoHo
Year: 2011
Tracks:
1) Desire Lines- 9
2) Hazel St.- 9
3) Don’t Cry- 9/10
4) Revival- 9
5) Helicoptor- 9
6) Fountain Stairs- 9
7) Rainwater Casette Exchange- 8
8) He Would Have laughed- 9

Comments: Having seen Deerhunter three times now, I can say with certainty that this is the real deal. Of course, not the same as seeing them physically live, but I can imagine this is as close as you will get to experiencing the band live from a recording. In any case, Deerhunter is one thee finest live acts around, so when I heard they released a live performance via iTunes I jumped at the chance to hear it. This recording is a strong indicator of the group’s sets in the past year, with a heavy emphasis on their most recent release, the incredible, Halcyon Digest (2010). The show begins with the new classic “Desire Lines”- truly a perfect opener. DL is one of Deerhunter’s defining songs as a Rock and Roll band, which they undeniably are; few modern musical acts share this same presence- it must be an Atlanta thing :). Seriously though, for my money these guys tap into this sort of epic Rock and Roll band of The Rolling Stones, Who, and Led Zeppelin variety, that powerful. And absolutely DL displays this. Moses’ drumwork just gets you pumped for what will happen next and the strong, pulsing guitars complement this. Lockett Pundt’s vocals are extremely welcoming and easy on the ears, and yet they are driven by a fantastic Rock and Roll/pop song force, you can tell he and the whole band have done their homework. Overall, I prefer the studio version and the vocals are a little bit too soft for me, but it’s still a pretty solid way to get things started. What I really dig, by far one of my favorite aspects of this release is the transition from DL to “Hazel St,” from Cryptograms (2007), one of the few non-Halycon tracks. I defnitely appreciate Hazel more when the band rocks right into its catchy opening lines. This time around Bradford Cox takes care of the vocals and he does the tunes’ studio counterpart justice. It’s not a carbon copy, but if you like the studio version, you should really enjoy this one as well. In particular, the guitars stand out the most. Once again, one of my favorite parts is the transition from this song to the next (“Don’t Cry”)- easily one of my favorite from the last record and in general. This song showcases Bradford’s talent as a frontman (if he is- I think he hates being called that and I agree Deerhunter is more of a whole band experience, not just the Bradford show as some critics, fans, etc. like to think). But, without a doubt, he just has that presence to him. DC is a comforting, amazing pop song and to reiterate Deerhunter simply can pull off what most bands seem to try. We’ve seen this song before, we see it all the time in so many (weaker) bands, I feel it could be a song that U2 would fuck up. Deerhunter is a much stronger band and therefore there is far more weight to the words, the music, and the overall delivery. My favorite song from SoHo or let me rephrase that the best performance here (“Don’t Cry is my favorite in general) is definitely “Helicoptor,” a song I reall dig on record, but I feel like everything is enhanced live, as if it was meant to be heard just live. I love the beginning, another great example of how their songs build and build in anticipation. The reverb is also excellent here. Another stand out song, well this tune always stands out to me live is “Rainwater Cassette Exchange,” the other non-Halycon cut. Rainwater live sounds much different (at least to me) than the version heard on the Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP, which is always great when any band switches it up a little bit. I love the almost 80s- like drum beats and I love the little guitar hook, very danceable, I get that impression anyway. In general, that EP was always very un-Deerhunter to me, but in good way and it shows in this performance for sure. Last, but certainly not least, “He Would Have Laughed,” (in honor of our boy Jimmy Lee Lindsey or more micro-famously known as Jay Reatard) is the closer, an obvious, but no less thrilling way to conclude the set. In fact, this is also one of the few tunes I prefer over the original. I adore the sound of the drums and as a whole I think the song just works better live, much like “Helicoptor,”- it is more effective. On record HWHL is a bit long-winded, though still awesome, it starts to lose its effect toward the end. But, live the song takes a whole new character and doesn’t feel drawn out, but rather essential like every word is purposeful, even if that’s not the case. A sweet and sincere eulogy. I also find humor when Bradford sings “Ohh shut the fuck up” in such an almost apathetic voice before he sings the more expected line “shut your mouth.” All in all, I really dig SoHO and how it captures Deerhunter in concert instead of trying to mimic their studio sound like most live releases do.

Grade: 9/10