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Monomania Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 41 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: Produced by Nicolas Vernhes, the sixth release for the Atlanta indie rock band led by Bradford Cox includes two new band members: bassist Josh McKay (taking over from Joshua Fauver) and guitarist Frankie Broyles.
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  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Post-Rock, Experimental Rock
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Top Track

The Missing
Open up my thoughts: tell me if you see some meaning. Oh take me all apart. Oh so that i can see the pieces. And I could walk for miles. And on every... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 41
  2. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. 100
    Consider me converted, at least until Bradford Cox lurches off in yet another direction.
  2. Magnet
    Jun 18, 2013
    90
    Monomania is stacked with track-to-track unshakable, albeit twisted, pop melodies and an atmosphere of unrest that will stick with you between repeated listens. [No.99, p.52]
  3. May 7, 2013
    83
    Monomania feels less like a collection of songs that belong together and more like simply a group of great tunes.
  4. May 6, 2013
    80
    Monomania is an easy album to become monomaniac about.
  5. Apr 29, 2013
    78
    Like Cox, Monomania is an enigma, wrapped in distortion.
  6. May 7, 2013
    70
    There is clearly no quietude in Cox's frantic mind, but his obsession yields beauty.
  7. May 1, 2013
    50
    Most of the album sounds like a kaleidoscope of every “indie” rock archetype, to the point that, whilst it's never debatable that Monomania is a Deerhunter record, you still find yourself thinking of Silversun Pickups, The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips or Arcade Fire, not necessarily with positive comparisons in mind.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. May 7, 2013
    10
    Ditching the ethereal shoe-gaze pop of 2010's excellent Halcyon Digest, Deerhunter opt instead for a chaotic, raunchy, and maximizedDitching the ethereal shoe-gaze pop of 2010's excellent Halcyon Digest, Deerhunter opt instead for a chaotic, raunchy, and maximized interpretation of a rock record, done in Deerhunter's penchant for the bizarre. The influences span from glam rock T-Rex riffing on Leather Jacket II to Americana Johnny Cash on Pensacola. Locket Pundt, the auxiliary song-writer, is rendered to a solely supporting musician, except on the excellent track "the missing." This is Bradford Cox's album, and it is fantastic. I can't think of a more compelling, difficult, and exciting direction Deerhunter could take, and now they are taking rock and roll forward with them. Hopefully more fantastic music like this is on the way. Expand
  2. Jul 8, 2019
    10
    There's not one miss on this record, amazing guitar textures and distorted vocals accompany incredible songwriting. Some of the songs could beThere's not one miss on this record, amazing guitar textures and distorted vocals accompany incredible songwriting. Some of the songs could be considered in the vein of basic pop (dream captain) but the simplicity and rawness are what makes some of these songs so encapsulating. Expand
  3. May 7, 2013
    9
    Deerhunter follows up Halcyon Digest with Monomania, which favors raw distortion blended with melodic rock n' roll. Its a very calculatedDeerhunter follows up Halcyon Digest with Monomania, which favors raw distortion blended with melodic rock n' roll. Its a very calculated change of pace over the ambient shoegaze feel of the last two fantastic records. Expand
  4. May 7, 2013
    8
    Deerhunter's drastic move out of their dream pop era and into garage punk may not please all fans, but is sure an interesting new direction toDeerhunter's drastic move out of their dream pop era and into garage punk may not please all fans, but is sure an interesting new direction to choose, and with "Monomania", Deerhunter delivers something that's not only out of their comfort zone, but a charismatic and unyielding LP. Expand
  5. May 10, 2013
    8
    If Monomania is the first Deerhunter album that you pick up, you will have a totally different idea of what the band is than if you are aIf Monomania is the first Deerhunter album that you pick up, you will have a totally different idea of what the band is than if you are a returning fan. Maybe that’s why I am not high on this album like I feel I should be. The follow up to the 2010 classic, Halcyon Digest is an almost total departure from the sound that I so enjoyed on that release. There were jangling guitars, moody instrumentals, and a knack for great melodies. Monomania is essentially a garage rock album that ditches a lot of the aspects that worked on Digest. There is a much heavier emphasis on guitars and Bradford Cox’s vocal style has changed a little bit into a kind of sneering delivery. As someone that loved Halcyon Digest, I came into this album with very high expectations and they just weren’t met.

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  6. Oct 16, 2014
    7
    Deerhunter came up with two indie rock peaches in "Microcastle" and then "Halycon Digest" and I have to say I was eagerly awaitingDeerhunter came up with two indie rock peaches in "Microcastle" and then "Halycon Digest" and I have to say I was eagerly awaiting "Monomania". While a decent enough record, unfortunately I have been left disappointed. "Monomania" continues on with the band psychedelic indie sound however these songs lack a darkness or tension that was found on the previous records. Whereas Deerhunter normally sound like no one else, "Monomania" doesn't quite pull this off to the same extent. At times they sound like The Strokes and occasionally even sound like Eels. "Neon Junkyard" and "Back to the Middle" standout. Expand
  7. Web
    May 8, 2013
    6
    A back-to-basics effort seems logical considering the band's catalog and the relative accessibility of Halcyon Digest. For the most part, theyA back-to-basics effort seems logical considering the band's catalog and the relative accessibility of Halcyon Digest. For the most part, they pull it off, particularly when things get guttural, as in the title track, "Neon Junkyard," "Leather Jacket II," "and "Punk (La Vie Anterieure)." Raw jewels, loose and loud and convincing. Complimenting these are the excellent "T.H.M.," a 2/4 jazzy romp showcasing the album's most compelling lyrics; the twangy, whiskey-eyed "Pensacola;" the pensive "Nitebike;" the snake-like "Blue Agent" (showcasing the album's least compelling lyrics). What holds Monomania back are the remaining songs. On its own, guitarist Lockett Pundt's "The Missing" has a soft indie charm, and would have fit nicely in either Halcyon Digest or his own work with Lotus Plaza. But it has no place here, and seems like the accidental inclusion of another band's song after the electricity of the opening tracks. The inclusion of Pundt's song is ultimately excusable due to it's quality. There's still one real problem with this album: "Dream Captain," "Back to the Middle," and "Sleepwalking," are bread and butter pop-rock songs that disappear after a few listens, and the fact that they're nestled among such rough and jagged numbers accentuates their limpness. It's what keeps Monomania from being Deerhunter's most believable record. Cutting those three would have done wonders, but as things stand they're a spritz of cheap perfume that dampens the animality of the edgier stuff Still, the album succeeds in enough ways to push it into "solid" territory, and it's certainly better than a mere continuation of what worked in HD. 6.8/10 Expand

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