Released 10 years ago
The Magic
Deerhoof · 2016
40 min · 15 tracks · experimental music
A whimsical blend of frenetic energy and avant-garde melodies, wrapped in playful yet profound lyrical explorations.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Devil and His Anarchic Surrealist Retinue — Opening with a burst of frenetic percussion and distorted guitars, this track sets the tone for the album's anarchic spirit while introducing themes of chaos and surrealism.
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Learning to Apologize Effectively — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics that playfully question social norms, all delivered over a catchy and off-kilter melody that encapsulates Deerhoof's signature style.
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Criminals of the Dream — With its dreamy instrumentation contrasted by sharp lyrical commentary, this song exemplifies the band's knack for blending lightheartedness with deeper existential musings.
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I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire — A concise yet impactful track that reflects personal desires against societal expectations, showcasing Deerhoof's ability to convey complex emotions within a minimalist framework.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases inventive structures and playful lyrics, establishing Deerhoof's unique sound within experimental rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a frenetic track that features rapid tempo changes and unconventional song structures, immediately setting a playful tone.
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected shifts in dynamics, such as sudden drops to silence or minimalist sections that contrast with the surrounding chaos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful chaos with unexpected twists
- short bursts of energetic fun
- varied peaks and valleys
- quirky narratives that provoke thought
- for spontaneous listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of straightforward melodies
- prefer longer, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 24, 2016, The Magic marked Deerhoof's 13th studio album and followed the critically acclaimed La Isla Bonita. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their reputation as pioneers of experimental rock, continuously evolving their sound while maintaining a dedicated fanbase. The album showcases their unique ability to juxtapose chaotic instrumentation with infectious hooks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Battles· Tera Melos· Hella
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Learning to Apologize Effectively
The shift in perspective from collective societal norms to individual accountability is marked by a sudden tonal change in the chorus.
This structural choice emphasizes the contrast between public expectation and private introspection, deepening the song's thematic exploration.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Devil and His Anarchic Surrealist Retinue 3:14
- 2 Kafe Mania! 2:43
- 3 That Ain’t No Life to Me 1:52
- 4 Life Is Suffering 3:36
- 5 Criminals of the Dream 5:00
- 6 Model Behavior 2:35
- 7 Learning to Apologize Effectively 3:15
- 8 Dispossessor 2:09
- 9 I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire 1:36
- 10 Acceptance Speech 3:00
- 11 Patrasche Come Back 0:47
- 12 Debut 2:54
- 13 Plastic Thrills 2:01
- 14 Little Hollywood 2:56
- 15 Nurse Me 2:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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