I finally got to see Deerhunter this past Sunday night. As I begin writing this brief commentary I’m finding it difficult to not sound like a young groupie who just saw his or her favorite pop star. At first I thought my giddy feelings were a result of being away from Los Angeles now for 4 years and not having seen too many good gigs since moving here. But, in all honesty that’s not really the case. I saw The Shins put on a great show last year. I was fortunate enough to catch Jeff Tweedy at the NC Museum of Art. I saw Fleet Foxes at Local 506. These were all great shows that rivaled anything I saw in LA, including Sun Kill Moon at the El Ray Theater. Upon reflection, I feel this way because Deerhunter was simply amazing. Granted my expectations going into the show were not very high. Sure I’d read the great reviews Pitchfork gave them. I have their CDs, and love them, but I’ve never quite held them in the same regard as say Broken Social Scene or Radiohead. That all changed Sunday night at the legendary Cat’s Cradle.
I was a bit worried that the mix would be the typical “wall of mud” that you too often experience, but the sound gods were kind to us. Seeing as this was the first time I’d seen them live I was immediately struck by the appearance of Bradford Cox. I knew he was thin but the ailment he suffers from is like nothing I have ever seen. Thin is the understatement of the year. I wondered how he could sound good live when he didn’t seem strong enough to pick up his guitar. However, one measure into the first song, I abandoned all reservations about him being able to pull it off live, and found myself in that glorious state of being completely entertained. A feeling I feel way too little, but thanks to the genius of Bradford Cox did Sunday night. Like a great movie – you forget about self and are transformed to the place the director wants you to go. I was gladly taken to the place that Deerhunter wanted me go. I enjoyed my stay there so much that I want to go back… re-entry has been tough.
