Friend Opportunity
by Deerhoof
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32

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  1. JustinS
    Apr 27, 2007
    6
    Argh! What is this album? The overall album isn't bad, but it's frustratingly inconsistent and track 10 should have been left on the cutting room floor. I guess I'm just too logical to understand "art-rock".
  2. DamianM
    Mar 22, 2007
    8
    This is Deerhoof's tightest album yet, and is a great place to start for new fans. It does have a few glitches (Look Away is a bad closer) but the highs will grab you instantly and you'll be saying "Choochoochoobeepbeep" in a high pitched voice before you know it. Deerhoof don't hang around, and you shouldn't either. Get this!
  3. EricC
    Mar 1, 2007
    8
    Hmm. I'm conflicted. On the one hand, Deerhoof delivers smooth toons with dreamlike vocals that are a blast to listen to. On the other hand, they sometimes seem to be trying too hard to be an abstract indie band. They seem like they are capable of just unleashing some amazing rock if they stopped trying so hard. But even with that, I enjoyed all of the album. They have their own Hmm. I'm conflicted. On the one hand, Deerhoof delivers smooth toons with dreamlike vocals that are a blast to listen to. On the other hand, they sometimes seem to be trying too hard to be an abstract indie band. They seem like they are capable of just unleashing some amazing rock if they stopped trying so hard. But even with that, I enjoyed all of the album. They have their own sound (I know, it sounds like I'm contradicting myself, but trust me, I'm not) which is something that is just too hard to come by. Definately worth buying, though you should listen to some samples to see if their sound is something you can swallow (some people can't, unfortuanately for them).… Expand
  4. Spee
    Feb 27, 2007
    8
    Those who complain about Satomi's voice have to consider: what would this band sound like if it was someone else? How well could Emily Haines or Joanna Newsom fit into the music? Matsuzaki's voice is an essential part of Deerhoof's cute and explosive energy. They wouldn't the same without her. Conrad Keely and Bob Dylan aren't great singers either, but they fit Those who complain about Satomi's voice have to consider: what would this band sound like if it was someone else? How well could Emily Haines or Joanna Newsom fit into the music? Matsuzaki's voice is an essential part of Deerhoof's cute and explosive energy. They wouldn't the same without her. Conrad Keely and Bob Dylan aren't great singers either, but they fit their parts.… Expand
  5. UriS
    Feb 21, 2007
    10
    This album is definately among Deerhoof's best. It fails to dissapoint. It is rapidly changing to include new ideas for thirty six and a half minutes, and never becomes repetitive or boring. Nobody should be afraid of this album because Deerhoof has been labeled "experimental." It is very accesable and interesting. This album is amazing, and I would definately reccomend it to anyone, This album is definately among Deerhoof's best. It fails to dissapoint. It is rapidly changing to include new ideas for thirty six and a half minutes, and never becomes repetitive or boring. Nobody should be afraid of this album because Deerhoof has been labeled "experimental." It is very accesable and interesting. This album is amazing, and I would definately reccomend it to anyone, whether or not they have previously listened to Deerhoof or any other "experimental" artists.… Collapse
  6. YigitA
    Feb 21, 2007
    8
    I think it is unfair to say that Deerhoof sounds like all the other indie bands and treat Deerhoof as just another member of the bunch because Deerhoof has been making this eerily beautiful music since 13 years.
  7. ScottF
    Feb 19, 2007
    9
    It is a more focused album than The Runners Four, and probably their best work yet.
  8. LucasK
    Feb 17, 2007
    9
    Many people either really really hate this band or love this band. They say it's the singer's fault for making this band look bad, but if Deerhoof didn't have Satomi, they wouldn't exist. So I suggest people stop complaining about the singer. gosh. This album is amazing. All the energy that they produce in this album and the power they give in a short moment is Many people either really really hate this band or love this band. They say it's the singer's fault for making this band look bad, but if Deerhoof didn't have Satomi, they wouldn't exist. So I suggest people stop complaining about the singer. gosh. This album is amazing. All the energy that they produce in this album and the power they give in a short moment is incredible. It's almost like an atomic bomb sent to the music world.… Expand
  9. maltink
    Feb 12, 2007
    9
    great lp! mik mik!
  10. Seeds13
    Feb 9, 2007
    5
    This stuff isn't my cup of tea. But, it was worth the listen. There are a couple of decent songs but I kept imagining my cat freaking out to the music midsong. It's very unbalanced and non-directional. I might really like this album if the mainstream train hadn't come and picked me up at an early age.
  11. RonaldM
    Feb 5, 2007
    8
    Too short to leave a lasting impression. Too good to overlook.
  12. paul
    Feb 4, 2007
    8
    definitely their most accessible record to date - which is not a bad thing at all. for the people out there interested in getting into deerhoof - don't listen to mike s. or todd w. how can you even compare sondre lerche to deerhoof? don't get me wrong, i like sondre lerche, but his sound is homogenous. deerhoof are challenging AND entertaining - what all good music should be.
  13. mikes.
    Jan 28, 2007
    5
    not a good album by any means. It has no focus and only people with ADD might enjoy the random shifts in production arrangements and structure. They do nothing to separate themselves from any other indie release I've heard this year. When did "indie" music become a genre so that all the indie bands have similar production and vocal styles? Seriously, remember when all the punk pop not a good album by any means. It has no focus and only people with ADD might enjoy the random shifts in production arrangements and structure. They do nothing to separate themselves from any other indie release I've heard this year. When did "indie" music become a genre so that all the indie bands have similar production and vocal styles? Seriously, remember when all the punk pop release lead singers all had fake british accents. Now we indie singers that all sound soft spoken and nasal. It's a shame that indie has become so predictable. For a much better demonstration of indie music listen to the new Sondre Lerche "phantom punch"… Expand
  14. RyanK
    Jan 27, 2007
    9
    Todd, you crazy
  15. ToddW
    Jan 25, 2007
    6
    To me, this band is alternately exhilarating and frustrating. Holding down the fort since its inception, Deerhoof's Greg Saunier is one of the best drummers on the planet. John Dieterich is a fine guitarist, and both instrumentalists have toned down the bombast of prior offerings on Friend Opportunity, which pushes it millimeters closer to the Sewerstream. Thankfully, bassist Satomi To me, this band is alternately exhilarating and frustrating. Holding down the fort since its inception, Deerhoof's Greg Saunier is one of the best drummers on the planet. John Dieterich is a fine guitarist, and both instrumentalists have toned down the bombast of prior offerings on Friend Opportunity, which pushes it millimeters closer to the Sewerstream. Thankfully, bassist Satomi Matsuzaki is still the deal killer. Her vocals remind one of the little girl lost in the sandbox, and her lyrics are sometimes not even that intelligible. The opening trio of songs - The Perfect Me, +81, and Believe E.S.P. - are borderline great. Sans the bleating, they're as good as anything you'll hear this year. Unfortunately, Satomi is still employed by this band. Her vocals, despite my best friend's protestations to the side, er, suck. They may be regarded in many circles as the best band on the planet not named Radiohead, but to say Satomi is an acquired taste is like saying pizza is good. For many of us, Deerhoof will remain at arm's length until Satomi either learns how to sing or exercises Chris Cohen's final solution.… Expand
  16. ScottyF
    Jan 24, 2007
    10
    This is Deerhoof having fun and it shows. Freakin Greatness.
  17. bigbob
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    excellent!
  18. KurtCobain
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    Yummy in my tummy!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. PopMatters
    70
    This is probably Deerhoof’s cutest, most digestible, and instantly appealing album.
    Read full review
  2. The New York Times
    70
    Gone are most of the scratching, scrunching noises that previously signified a low budget, and now there are crisp multitracked vocals. But the band hasn’t gotten any less imaginative. [14 Jan 2007]
  3. Urb
    80
    Deerhoof reveal new shades of interest that beckon future transformations. [Jan/Feb 2006, p.78]
See all critic reviews »