Mountain Moves

by Deerhoof

Overview

Even though politics were inescapable at the time of Mountain Moves' release, Deerhoof had a typically creative way to address the issues of the late 2010s. The result of their residency at Joyful Noise, the album finds the band collaborating with like-minded artists on songs of resistance that emphasize the importance of joining together. On "Con Sordino," they celebrate free speech (and song) as Satomi Matsuzaki rallies their forces with the equally charming and confident manifesto "we know we can sing." Adding new voices doesn't dilute Deerhoof's signature sound; instead, it expands it. Juana Molina joins the group on "Slow Motion Detonation," a testament to enduring resistance, while the throaty pleas of Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner make for a lively contrast with Matsuzaki's optimism on "I Will Spite Survive." Later, Laetitia Sadier brings her expertise at making political protest beautiful to "Come Down Here & Say That," which manages to be graceful and confrontational at the same time as she and Matsuzaki sing about cowards and dreamers. Indeed, Mountain Moves is one of Deerhoof's prettiest albums in some time, and its eclectic, full-hearted pop plays like a more concise version of Runners Four, particularly on the proggy parable "Kokoye." Time and again, the band proves it hasn't run out of styles to combine, nor ways to combine them: "Your Dystopic Creation Doesn't Fear You," which melds surf, funk, and pop with Awkwafina's rap, is a wild ride even for Deerhoof. Still, they manage to make the most unlikely juxtapositions work, especially on the opera-tinged version of Chilean ethnomusicologist Violeta Parra's "Gracias a la Vida" and the boogie-woogie-meets-funk cover of the Staple Singers' "Freedom Highway." Mountain Moves' whimsy often feels like a party that just happens to be political, but it's this sense of joy that makes protest -- and Deerhoof's career -- sustainable. ~ Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2017
Label:	JOYFUL NOISE RECORDS
UPC:	0714270691386

Tracks

1. Ay That's Me
2. Slow Motion Detonation
3. Con Sordino
4. Palace of the Governors
5. I Will Spite Survive
6. Singalong Junk
7. Come Down Here & Say That
8. Mountain Moves
9. Freedom Highway (The Staple Singers)
10. Gracias a la Vida (Violeta Parra)
11. Begin Countdown
12. Sea Moves
13. Kokoye
14. Your Dystopic Creation Doesn't Fear You
15. Small Axe (Bob Marley)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Deerhoof   Primary Artist
Bob Marley   Primary Artist
Violeta Parra   Primary Artist
The Staple Singers   Primary Artist
Juana Molina   Featured Artist
Devin Hoff   Featured Artist
Laetitia Sadier   Featured Artist
Chad Popple   Featured Artist
Matana Roberts   Featured Artist
Jenn Wasner   Featured Artist
Xenia Rubinos   Featured Artist
Awkwafina   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Greg Saunier   Composer,Producer
John Dieterich   Composer,Producer
Deerhoof   Engineer
Juana Molina   Engineer
Laetitia Sadier   Engineer
Matana Roberts   Engineer
Ed Rodriguez   Composer,Producer
Satomi Matsuzaki   Artwork,Composer,Producer
Jenn Wasner   Engineer
Xenia Rubinos   Engineer
Becky James   Photography
Satoru Eguchi   Photography
The Children of Hoof Radio & Television Orchestra   Producer