Experimental pop noodlers
Deerhunter hit town this week for a series of atonal wigouts and near selfish jams.
Bradford Cox may be a charismatic presence in interviews and behind the scenes footage, but in a live setting he's all down to business. On this Friday night gig at a sold out Corner Hotel in Melbourne the singer didn't acknowledge the crowd (and barely his own band) until near the end of the quartet's set, preferring instead to let his guitar playing do the talking. And his guitar was saying "Relax...check this out" as it set off on another noodly excursion.
By the end of the night, jammy noise rock - though oddly muted - had left the pop songs in its wake. Or at least the ones that featured Cox's surprisingly affecting voice. A shame because when Deerhunter engage, they're something special.
(Pics: Tim O'Connor)