Glass Riffer is the latest release from the prolific king of frantic alternative electro Dan Deacon. Based in the unlikely alternative music Mecca of Baltimore, Maryland, this album seems as if the notoriously nice party-starter might have relaxed a little.
Known for his high energy, crowd participation-laden shows, Deacon’s work has always seemed to be more of an interactive art performance than something for the home stereo. Yet opener ‘Feel The Lightning’ is pleasant, catchy, under five minutes and doesn’t push you off your seat. ‘When I Was Done Dying’ joins it as one of the “easier” tracks but with touches of the trademark incessant and repetitive drive that seems to pulse through Deacon’s brain. ‘Meme Generator’ has quite an ethereal feel whilst keeping it glitchy;, which seems like an oxymoron but Deacon has a talent of combining his classical roots with computer-generated sounds to make some unique music. ‘Mind On Fire’ wouldn’t be out of place on a party soundtrack and its placement halfway through the album indicates a ramping up of intensity. The possibly ironically named ‘Learning To Relax’ is the most in-your-face track here, an assault of persistent noise - it is a challenge to get through the entire six minutes and 45 seconds. The following closing tracks are simultaneously both fairly chill and fairly anxiety inducing, which is a feeling we can all empathise with.
Overall, Glass Riffer is and interesting and enjoyable listen from an artist who really thinks about his art.
