The Runners Four
by Deerhoof
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Junkmedia
    90
    All told, it's another triumph for a band whose creative peak seems to defy gravity with each passing year.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    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.
  3. Dusted Magazine
    80
    The Runners Four manages to capture the unbridled intensity and utter joy these four carry across in a live setting.
  5. Pitchfork
    90
    By turns jubilant, confused, afraid, angry, sad, relieved, all pretty poignant, yes.
  6. The New York Times
    100
    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]
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  7. Stylus Magazine
    67
    Despite its exhilarating moments, The Runners Four feels like it’s missing something.
  8. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    This is nothing short of a monumental piece of work.
  9. PopMatters
    70
    The band's growing gifts as songwriters put this album above so many other current releases.
  10. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    The Runners Four is simply another interesting collection of tunes from a group that refuses to curtail its trespasses across musical boundaries.
  11. Playlouder
    20
    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.
  12. Lost At Sea
    95
    Interesting, unique, weird and inviting.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Ace. [15 Oct 2005, p.35]
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  14. Paste Magazine
    70
    Deerhoof has forged yet another delightfully odd pop gem, multifaceted and sparkling with creativity. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.147]
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  15. Under The Radar
    80
    The Runners Four may not break new ground, but Deerhoof's sense of unpredictability remains. [#11, p.106]
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  16. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    In the end, however, the band's stamina outlasts our own. [11 Nov 2005, p.72]
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  17. Spin
    83
    This time they come dangerously close to conventional rock. [Nov 2005, p.101]
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  18. Rolling Stone
    70
    Deerhoof are clearly interested in extending the possibilities of the classic four-piece format.
  19. Uncut
    70
    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]
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  20. Mojo
    80
    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]
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  21. Magnet
    40
    Four becomes truly trying during its tangent-prone second half. [#70, p.93]
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  22. Prefix Magazine
    80
    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.
  23. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    Somehow all of this organized chaos is put together with clever hooks, resulting in some quite unique and energetic pop/rock tunes.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 69
  3. Negative: 15 out of 69
  1. jfred7
    Jan 26, 2011
    10
    This is one of the most tragically underrated albums on this site. It's a cutesy-brutesy masterwork with tons of delightfully catchy riffs andThis is one of the most tragically underrated albums on this site. It's a cutesy-brutesy masterwork with tons of delightfully catchy riffs and melodies counterpointed by jagged, face-melting rock-outs, often in the same song. A lot of people can't get over Satomi Matsuzaki's voice and the group's undeniable weirdness, but anyone willing to embrace Deerhoof's eccentricities will find a lot to love here. Few albums can put anyone in a good mood as effortlessly as this glorious, sprawling mess of kitschy ear candy.… Full Review »
  2. ErikH
    Aug 13, 2007
    3
    I bought this CD after many recommendations from friends and critics, and wow was I disappointed. They sound like low-rate Blonde Redhead 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.… Full Review »
  3. RG
    Jun 13, 2007
    10
    aaah deerhoof. music as we know it has taken another step to shattering itself and constructing something so basic and so exciting that 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… Full Review »
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