Barely out of their teens, Panther Ray's Joey Johnson, Evan Kramer, Daniel Ries, and Andy Rockwood are childhood friends floating in place in time where the weird underground recording geniuses of the 60s and the 90s share a meal. Apparently that place is somewhere in the outer limits of their hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Instruments and vocal mics trade hands regularly as the four multi-instrumentalists celebrate a poly amorous cacophony of junk psychedelia, youth-powered garage rock, exuberant pop weirdness, and experimental studio wizardry. What at first seems amateurish or slapdash, quickly unfolds as fully-intentioned execution of precise tone, technique, and texture that haven't seen the light of day since 1968, if ever. Sounds appear for a few notes and disappear just as quickly, serving their purpose before making room for the next.

Is that Deerhoof being played by the members Elephant 6? Or Deerhoof as envisioned by Jeff Mangum? Or is it something different entirely? Yes. This is a band that knows the history behind their influences with an unusual depth. And unsettling depth. Deeper than most are willing to go. Then they take it to some place we've never seen before. And that's what makes their noise so fucking exciting.

-Chris Tures.
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