Deerhunter: "Memory Boy"

When I listen to the new Deerhunter album, I feel like I’m in a Wes Anderson movie. The whole record has a very precious ’70s feel, perfect for Jason Schwartzman to moodily comb his mustache to. And wear a lot of primary colors.

“Memory Boy,” especially, sounds like Paul Simon and the Kinks had the world’s twee-est baby. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I guess. It’s certainly a very pretty song. But while Bradford Cox and his band have got those lush melodies on lock, it just feels so contrived. There’s nothing organic about this song; it’s so self-conscious and aware. Which is also my problem with Anderson, for whatever that’s worth.

The lyrics are wistful but vague. Cox is the (freakishly tall) king of the “nostalgia tinged with sadness” game, and “Memory Boy”‘s obliquely dark lyrics married with the calculatedly dated sweetness of this tune epitomize that. Which is why I don’t want to like this song. It’s so precious and affected. But I’ve caught myself humming the chorus many times over the last two weeks. What can I say? It’s a really catchy song. And sometimes a girl is in the mood for a little manufactured nostalgia. I mean, Wes Anderson loves Bill Murray; I love Bill Murray; this song is perfect to listen to right before I go to sleep.