Album Review: Atlas Sound’s Logos

Fuck this shit. I can just make another album. [Logos is] not finished and now it never will be. It was also going to have a rad cover. I would describe it to you but that would be stupid. P.S. there are no vocals on “Quick Canal.” I never got the chance to record them. This record was not free to record, so if you’d like to pay for hearing it send a paypal donation to lastdeerhunteronearth@yahoo.com. I am not a fucking opportunist so don’t think I expect it.

And so goes the complicated and extroverted personality of Bradford Cox. Lucky for us, the Deerhunter frontman had second thoughts after fans begged and pleaded. He posted a follow-up with new intentions:

I have no idea what people want me to do. I’m not trying to be a cunt to anyone. I will finish the fucking album and stop bitching. I honestly really truly do not want attention from this. Sincerely. I wish none of this shit would have happened. I was just trying to give away another virtual 7″. Now everyone that reads this thing is going to think i’m a fucking lunatic. I just have nothing to do. I guess I’ll go clean my room.

But enough drama queen gossip. Is the album any good or what? No, it’s not. It’s incredible and well worth the wait (if you consider 20 months between albums a long wait). Our first taste of finished tracks beyond the original leak was the Noah Lennox supported “Walkabout,” which immediately raised the legitimacy of our BBQ playlists exponentially. Apparently, Panda Bear provided Cox with sampling lessons during their European tour together. The result was nothing short of a perfect, blissed-out homage to nostalgic summer jams. Surprisingly, “Walkabout” is not the best track on the album. It barely squeezes into the top 5.

Other standouts include the album’s centerpiece, “Attic Lights.” Here Bradford Cox is at his best with just an acoustic guitar and some minimalist percussion. The addictive chorus slowly builds into a payoff featuring a string section. Although Logos is much more accessible than 2008′s Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Hear, “Sheila” is a radio-friendly 60′s-style pop song featuring the juxtaposing lyrics, “Cause no one wants to die alone,” and “We’ll die alone together.” In the middle of this “pop” album is the eight and half minute ambient gem “Quick Canal.” When the unfinished version of the album leaked months ago, “Quick Canal” didn’t have lyrics. Here the song is polished with accompanying vocals by Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier. The song is an atmospheric and moody intermission that explores new ground for Atlas Sound. It certainly leads one to question where Bradford Cox will lead his Deerhunter alter ego next time around. Until then, Logos has provided us with one of the best albums of 2009.

January’s Fresh Pork Cuts

Marks:

• Animal Collective – Bluish
• Arcade Fire – Burning Bridges
• Morrissey – I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
• Stereolab – Neon Beanbag (Atlas Sound Southern Baptist Remix)
• Sufjan Stevens – Good King Wenceslas
  

Petes:

• Julian Koster – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
• The Breeders – Bang On
• Vivian Girls – Tell The World
• Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – Moonland
• Lindstrom -  Where You Go I Go Too