Deerhunter
Rainwater Cassette Exchange EP (4AD)
First of all, kudos to Deerhunter for championing the lost format. This EP was originally released as an actual cassette at live shows – including triumphant UK gigs around All Tomorrow’s Parties this May. But for those of us who missed out, here it is again in a more accessible form – and just as well, because missing out on this would be sad indeed.
Bradford Cox, judging by sheer quantity of output, is a man with an unlimited font of ideas and the ones put out here flow easily along. Swathed in guitar soundscapes and starting in a dreamy haze with the title track, Rainwater Cassette Exchange is, musically, the soundtrack to long, lazy summer days.
‘Game of Diamonds’ has an almost bossa-nova kind of rhythm conjuring thoughts of light breezes, silken sands and palm fronds. Lyrically, it’s a little darker – on Disappearing Ink, Cox sings “close my door, and lock in” because “your words still sting”. The two elements add up to something very special, with much to discover on repeated listen – and you will listen repeatedly.
Elaine Liddle
