I’ve always heard that Deerhoof was a band worth checking out, so when they got a lot of positive press for 2005’s The Runners Four, I decided to jump onboard … where I promptly got seasick and abandoned ship. The voice grated on me and the songs seem to offer nothing interesting. But eventually I gave them another chance and … still hated it. That CD is sitting in my basement right now, in a box with other CDs that I don’t want to listen to, but can’t quite bring myself to get rid of. I hope it’s had time to make friends with Boris and Be Your Own Pet.

So when Friend Opportunity came out this year, and once again got a lot of positive press, I would have to be an idiot to pick it up, right? An idiot like a fox! I did pick it up, and I love it. Now if only there were more of it to love. With a 40 minute running time, 12 of those are taken up by the rambling closing track “Look Away”, by far the weakest one. Like Yo La Tengo on their album last year, the band must feel the need to noodle around instrumentally, and share their experimentation with the fans. Outside of giving listeners a long window in which to decide the next CD to listen to, “Look Away” serves little value.

Fortunately, the rest of Friend Opportunity more than makes up for it with its insanely catchy tracks. That elusive type of song that’s inventive, hummable, memorable, and yet has absolutely no chance of mainstream acceptance. After a couple of listens, it’s guaranteed that you’ll be singing along with “Meet me, meet me, meet the perfect me!” in the album opener, or nonsensically repeating “dju dju dju dju beep beep” in “+81”. Songs like “Cast Off Crown” and “Matchbook Seeks Maniac” never wear out the listener with their manic energy by slowing down the tempo before each burst. More relaxed tunes “Believe E.S.P.” and “The Galaxist” serve as nice breaks, while still engaging the listener with interesting arrangements.

So I guess I’m off to the basement to rescue The Runners Four from the box. Meanwhile, consider me a new Deerhoof fan, and consider picking up this great CD if you haven’t already.