Albums of the decade - 97. Deerhunter - Why Hasn't Everything Already Disappeared?

97. DEERHUNTER - WHY HASN'T EVERYTHING ALREADY DISAPPEARED?

Deerhunter have had a special place in my heart after 2008's stunning Microcastle. For them to penetrate the top 100, especially in 2019, speaks wonders of the fact that this is a band that always comes through.

I saw them live last in 2008, in Brighton, and they blew the house down in terms of playing, performing and piling on the quality. I don't remember any specific song but I remember the angular quality of the riffs, the molten lead of Bradford Cox's vocals and crimson lights flooding the stage. 

They're my epitome of intelligent rock and roll. This latest album is not only gonna be one of the best records of 2019, but will also sit with me as one of the band's greatest tokens. "Futurism" especially captures the vitality of effortless groove. I ran up the hill today and had it in my head even before I hit the play button. I had it on on the bus yesterday - yes I used a double "on" - and it will keep playing and burning in my thoughts. Playing me in, in flames.

Albums of 2012. 25 - Spiritualized - Sweet Heart Sweet Light

25. SPIRITUALIZED - SWEET HEART, SWEET LIGHT

Excerpts from my review in April for the Halifax Collect blog.

"This is the seventh Spiritualized album and while Pierce hasn't exactly let us down or required a “return to form” tag - this is not a football team – the timelessness is back that maybe lacked on 2008's Songs in A&E...

...“Too Late” brought me to tears when I first listened, which is no mean feat. I am considering doing some push-ups soon and I had a burger for breakfast too; I'm not a pussy. The lyrics of making ones mind up about love, despite the danger really does conquer all...

...Pierce twice uses his 11 year old daughter to sing on the album and amidst all the swirls of the the drug-induced “Headin...” - it's extremely arresting, vivid and somehow warm despite the bleak subject matter

...THIS MAN IS NOT RELIGIOUS- but what's wrong with “Jesus be my automobile / Drive me to heaven...? ”Well, it is highly melodramatic but so is the final ditty where daughter Poppy duets with Jason “Take the long way home / past the scary Jesus” - it's bold, incredulous and amazing and even brings the banjo along. Who'd have thought it?

...No one is invincible, especially not Spiritualized. It matters noteth. Maybe this is a little rich, a little corny, a little sentimental, a little unabashed. It matters noteth. It has heart, personality and is made of all the right stuff.."

BEST PLAYED: When you want something uplifting.