Bromst

Dan Deacon's wild and wooly electronica album, SPIDERMAN OF THE RINGS, was one of the most intriguing releases of 2007. With its quirky humor, knowing cultural references, and spastic sonic leaps, it was also something of a defining statement of purpose. But if Deacon was staking his ground with SPIDERMAN, he has built a magnificent, multi-tiered castle on that foundation with 2009's BROMST.
More accessible than its predecessor, BROMST is still visionary, melding melody and noise with postmodern panache. Deacon raises the bar by expanding his instrumental palette: the album balances vocals and acoustic instrumentation (including marimba, piano, and live percussion) with his trademark digital hijinks. The result is a majestic listening experience that often borders on the utopian.