Music review: Deerhoof

For Deerhoof, like many bands, vocals can make or break an album. If you like Satomi Matsuzaki's Japanese school girl-esque vocals-which admittedly do have a haunting little-girl-lost appeal-then you're much more likely to love Deerhoof's newest album, Friend Opportunity. But if this high-pitched warbling isn't your thing, you'll probably find the album overwhelmingly grating.

But arguably, this experimental indie-rock band has much more to offer than Matsuzaki. Wailing synth, melodic guitar and a habit of never repeating the same chorus twice put Deerhoof a step above the other cookie-cutter indie bands currently touring. (They will be stopping by Cat's Cradle in Carrboro Feb. 12 if you want to see for yourself.) "+ 81" mixes catchy guitar rhythms, soulful trumpeting and spacy, echoing effects to create a 21st century anthem for a moonwalk.

Since its formation in 1994, Deerhoof has been constantly inventing and reinventing itself. With Friend Opportunity, the band has released its most accessible album to date by toning down its experimental side and emphasizing its pop-rock sensibilities. While the melodies may not be repeated often within each song, they are as catchy as ever, like on the sugar-coated "Choco Fight."

But Matsuzaki's vocals still stand out starkly behind the constantly shifting background. And because of this, it may just be an album worth skipping.