All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

The New York Times

It is something most indie-rock bands take a long time to achieve, if ever: a heavy footfall, a no-half-stepping opus, a defining statement. [9 Oct 2005]

100

Tiny Mix Tapes

This is nothing short of a monumental piece of work.

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Lost At Sea

Interesting, unique, weird and inviting.

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Junkmedia

All told, it's another triumph for a band whose creative peak seems to defy gravity with each passing year.

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Pitchfork

By turns jubilant, confused, afraid, angry, sad, relieved, all pretty poignant, yes.

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Spin

This time they come dangerously close to conventional rock. [Nov 2005, p.101]

Mojo

The band use trad tools... and trad tricks... But there's nothing trad about their cock-your-head tunings and lose-your-balance rhythms. [Dec 2005, p.100]

Under The Radar

The Runners Four may not break new ground, but Deerhoof's sense of unpredictability remains. [#11, p.106]

All Music Guide

Even though the manic intensity that characterized work like Reveille is missed a little here, The Runners Four is still a far cry from typical indie rock; in fact, it sounds more like one of Deerhoof's older albums played at half-speed than anything else.

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Dusted Magazine

The Runners Four manages to capture the unbridled intensity and utter joy these four carry across in a live setting.

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Prefix Magazine

The Runners Four may not come off as innovative as Reveille (2003) and Milk Man (2004) did, but the real innovation here is in making chaos sound so serene.

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ShakingThrough.net

The Runners Four is simply another interesting collection of tunes from a group that refuses to curtail its trespasses across musical boundaries.

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Entertainment Weekly

In the end, however, the band's stamina outlasts our own. [11 Nov 2005, p.72]

New Musical Express

Ace. [15 Oct 2005, p.35]

Paste Magazine

Deerhoof has forged yet another delightfully odd pop gem, multifaceted and sparkling with creativity. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.147]

Rolling Stone

Deerhoof are clearly interested in extending the possibilities of the classic four-piece format.

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Uncut

The Runners Four displays intuitive melody and a childlike disregard for convention that's captivating enough to overcome any saccharine tendencies. [Dec 2005, p.116]

PopMatters

The band's growing gifts as songwriters put this album above so many other current releases.

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Delusions of Adequacy

Somehow all of this organized chaos is put together with clever hooks, resulting in some quite unique and energetic pop/rock tunes.

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Stylus Magazine

Despite its exhilarating moments, The Runners Four feels like it’s missing something.

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Magnet

Four becomes truly trying during its tangent-prone second half. [#70, p.93]

Playlouder

For the uninitiated, they churn out a joyless mess of badly tuned indie guitar, spasmodic jazz drumming and cutesy vocalisations, and on 'O'Malley, Former Underdog' they overlay this with irritating electronica that is reminiscent of the noise your discman makes when your mobile phone is in the same pocket.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 61 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Erik H gave it a3:
I bought this CD after many recommendations from friends and critics, and wow was I disappointed. They sound like low-rate Blonde Redhead outtakes. If that sounds appealing to you, by all means purchase this CD and enjoy 20 tracks of it.

R G gave it a10:
aaah deerhoof. music as we know it has taken another step to shattering itself and constructing something so basic and so exciting that everynote while meaning nothng carries a sense of purpose. i can t shed that feeling throughout this record. this group is bringing back rock not as other rock gorups do by replicating a former style but creating something playful in a new reincarnation of a former style. simply an amazing record

Charles B gave it a10:
Food for thought: David Bowie, David Byrne, Thom Yorke, Thurston Moore, Wayne Coyne, and Jeff Tweedy all love Deerhoof. This album was 2005's greatest achievement and I hold it as the best album of the year. Deerhoof's talent is incredible, both technically as all members are immensely skilled at the instruments as well as their songwriting skills. There's an abundance of catchy melodies on this record, all of which originated by the band (no melody stealing here!) Fantastic!

Matt A gave it a10:
As you can see, Deerhoof reviews tend to be a bit polarizing. I personally feel that Deerhoof are one of the most innovative and creative bands currently making music, as well as one of the best. There's simply no other bands out there that sound like them. I feel that a lot of negative reviewers out there just simply don't get it. Sure Deerhoof isn't for everyone and a lot of their material is initially inaccessible. I'll admit to being a bit perplexed by the band upon first listen. But with time the album takes on a different life form and you begin to see it for the fantastic music it is. The best records never expose their greatest in the fullest extent upon first listen...it is gradual. I really feel with time Deerhoof will get the appreciation they deserve, though it is gaining a bit through opening lots for big acts like Radiohead, the Flaming Lips and Wilco. I wouldn't be surprised that years into the future Deerhoof is looked back at one of the definitive bands of this era. They deserve that stature.

T. Speaker gave it an8:
Deerhoof's "The Runners Four" is easily one of the best records of 2005-----I've owned this one since its release date and still listen to it on a weekly basis. While the latter half sags a bit, the complex, melodic riffs of the first more than compensate.

Jason H gave it an8:
all these 0 reviews are probably from people who were never fans to begin with, or have limited listening span. take 'em or leave 'em, Deerhoof are always true to themselves. i thoroughly enjoyed this (this was my first real introducation to the band), and I find myself oddly addicted to her voice.

John S gave it a0:
Just saw them open for the Flaming Lips and I got there early because of the type of hype and praise given them--boy what a waste of time! The only redeeming quality is the thunderous balls out drummer. The guitarist churns out 3rd rate Polvo riffs that were done better 15 years ago. And finally the singer--- girly cute monosyllabic lyrical nonsense. Repeating panda 20x in a row is not inspired, clever, musical or worth anyone's time. I beg of someone to explain this rubbish to me. I have adored the Flaming Lips since 1989 and tons of other indie/alt, but this and the scores all the reviewers gave it I just don't get. I would have rated this higher for the drummer's talents, but I reminded myself that he has hitched his wagon to the horrid, untalented vocalist.

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