Deerhoof

While bassist Satomi Matsuzaki’s chirpy vocal melodies define Deerhoof’s sound for many, that’s just one (crucial) part of the San Francisco group’s insidiously smart marriage of whimsical pop and experimental aggression. Nonetheless, the former wins over the latter on the band’s latest disc, Deerhoof Vs. Evil—though, even on its more straightforward tracks, it’s still hard to determine where, exactly, Deerhoof is coming from. The band proves less inscrutable outside of the studio—whether rocking straight ahead or plunging into a fractured free-for-all, Deerhoof’s live sets thrive on gleeful loudness. Considering the band recently released a split 7-inch with Jeff Tweedy and his two young sons, fans would be justified in hoping that the Wilco frontman hops onstage at a show in the near future.

Updated 09/14/2011