Dan Deacon’s latest reveals a wonderful array of memorable moods you might encounter from sea to shining sea.

photo credit: DanDeacon.com

Advanced warning: As you draw that nice, warm bath with anticipation to slide in and enjoy ‘America’ for the first time, just know Dan Deacon is going to start off by throwing a toaster in right along with you. ‘Guilford Avenue Bridge,’ the first track on Dan Deacon’s latest, begins by embracing listeners with crunchy, hectic rhythms that inspire a madness of sorts; like some of the things going on today in America might, perhaps. Shortly thereafter, Deacon shifts from wordless anarchy to electro-pop anthem with ‘True Thrush,’ a track that is sure to be repeated time and time again. The heart of the attitude that the album hopes to impart, however, certainly lies somewhere within the 4-track instrumental that comprises the finale of this August’s release.

As Dan Deacon enters his second decade of published musicianhood, he begins to show a more sophisticated level of songwriting and production; Moving from some of the more raw and cluttered 8-bit sounds of previous albums to a more serious and purposefully arranged ensemble of noises. ‘America’ shows brilliance in it’s regular shifts from tones that I (upon listening to the album) have coined “Industrial Space-Rock” to more elegant and inspiring moments that will leave you bewildered at times. Over the course of the album, Deacon masks dark themes and anxieties relevant to today’s political and social landscapes with joyful and celebratory sounds that provide as much depth as the listener might fancy digging for.  Many works have the message. Many more have the sound. ‘America’ has the lot. This album is great, y’all.