Deerhunter

Deerhunter took the indie underground by force with 2007’s Cryptograms, an album whose most propulsive rock songs were as finely textured as its meandering, ambient reveries. The Atlanta band’s 2008 album, Microcastle, was another exercise in balance, delivering more subdued reflection than distortion, and the gossamer-delicate sound works in service of a surprisingly direct clutch of songs. Frontman Bradford Cox’s numerous psychedelic and pop influences finally meet on the new Halcyon Digest, a collection of grabby pop songs that combine his focus on hooks with amped up soundscapes. In concert, Deerhunter brings the full power of its shoegaze-psychedelic assault to bear. At those moments, it’s among the most exciting bands working today.

Updated 09/30/2010