Halcyon Digest

Lengthy opener "Earthquake" is a slow, muddy and atmospheric stage-setter, showing that, once again, the Deers have some new cards to play. Despite its modest production, the song feels every bit as expansive and pseudo-progressive as a Radiohead cut. There's no big post-production, politics or pretentious vibe here; this is a slow, sturdy opener for indie rockers who prefer the art of album-making to stage antics or unnecessary scene-setting.

Next up is "Don't Cry," a poppy, mid-tempo rocker that could've easily been on disc one of Microcastle. Three years ago a fairly accessible cut like this, which displays Cox's signature optimism, would've been the band's most radio-friendly work to date. Same goes for "Memory Boy." Not here. On Halcyon, a song like Don't Cry is only a warm-up for a track like Revival, an instantly lovable carnival ride into the depths of the band's endless ability to write fresh and cool songs. While raving on about this record to friends, I always make mention of "Revival," calling it one of the two "lifer" cuts on the record. (What's a "lifer" cut, you ask? Have you heard the opening song on Loveless? Or how about "Like a Rolling Stone.")

Guitarist Lockett Pundt's "Desire Lines" is another instant standout. For the unfamiliar, Pundt (who releases solo albums under the Lotus Plaza moniker) is also a very solid song maker, working closely with Cox all along, together developing a cohesive sound. He's the one sideman in the history of sidemen who I wish would contribute even more songs to his band's records.

There's too man great songs here to discuss, truthfully, but I'd be a failed critic if I didn't mention the sax-laced "Coronado," easily my favorite cut of this year. It's Cox at his most memorable and lovable, catapulting him, in my opinion, to the top of the songwriter heap. A song you just have to hear.

While some may still prefer the artsy approach of the band's breakout record, Cryptograms, to the more accessible Halcyon Digest, I do not. Not even close. And I'd argue that anyone with adult opinions about art also will not. As much as I love and respect experimental bands like Animal Collective (whom Cox also loves and sometimes even works with), I have a greater respect for an artist like Bradford. The man knows that, at the end of the day, it's the pop songs that stick and last and influence. And, knowing this, he approaches his work with a strong creative love, using every second of every song, squeezing as many details and ideas into the margin as he can. The deep, strange art and inventiveness is always there, mixed in the moments that hold together verse and hook.

The result is one of 2010's best releases yet. And, even more importantly, Cox here becomes (along with Sufjan Stevens), the new leader of his thoroughly confused, blog-screwed generation of overzealous hipster artists. Hopefully some of these flavor-of-the-month kids will find the influence of Halcyon and maybe start making music that still sounds good next weekend. Halcyon Digest is a rare thing: art rock done right.    9.5/10

Written by G. William Locke