Microcastle is the third studio album by Deerhunter. After the album had been leaked on the internet, it became available on iTunes on August 19, 2008,Deerhunter's Microcastle Available Now on iTunes. Pitchfork. Retrieved on 2010-09-29. while physical copies were released on October 27, 2008.KRANK 127 - Deerhunter "Microcastle" . Brainwashed.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-29. In the U.S. the album was released on Kranky and on 4AD in Europe. The album was recorded over the course of one week in April 2008 by Nicolas Vernhes at Rare Book Room Studios in Brooklyn, NY. In the U.S., the album has managed to sell over 50,000 units.Interview with Cam Lindsay, Exclaim! October Issue.
Unlike Cryptograms, the band decided to forgo heavy utilization of effects pedals. Throughout the recording of the record, only a number of drum tracks and the vocals on "Agoraphobia" were treated. Of the musical direction of the new material, Bradford Cox has said "I'm more interested in the micro-structure. I want things to be a lot shorter, I don't want there to be as much long-windedness to it." The band premiered the album live at Brooklyn's Market Hotel on April 11, 2008. A bonus disc, Weird Era Cont., was released concurrently with the album.
"Saved By Old Times" features an appearance by Cole Alexander of the Black Lips. His appearance was recorded over an iChat session.
Vinyl versions The original pressing of the vinyl on Kranky was one white vinyl LP, had a single panel jacket with different artwork than the CD (see alternate artwork), and came with Weird Era Cont. on CD in its own paper sleeve. Since the album has gained popularity, there has been another pressing, with both parts of the album being pressed on black vinyl in a gatefold jacket with the orange artwork originally used for the CD.
Reception
Microcastle has been met with much acclaim since its release, currently holding an 81 rating on Metacritic, from a weighted average of 35 professional critics, indicating "Universal Acclaim". Both Tiny Mix Tapes and Sputnikmusic awarded the album with a perfect score.Deerhunter - Microcastle (staff review). Sputnikmusic. Retrieved on 2010-09-29. Spin, Billboard, The New York Times and The Guardian all gave the album an 8/10. Rolling Stone rewarded the album a 3.5 score, and RS contributor, Daniel Kreps listed Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. as his favorite album of 2008. Pitchfork also rated the album highly, naming the album 50th best record of the decadeStaff Lists: The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 50-21 . Pitchfork (2009-10-01). Retrieved on 2010-09-29. and 5th best of the year,Staff Lists: The 50 Best Albums of 2008 . Pitchfork (2008-12-19). Retrieved on 2010-09-29. along with awarding it with a 9.2 upon initial review. Pitchfork also named “Nothing Ever Happened” the 6th best song of the yearStaff Lists: The 100 Best Tracks of 2008. Pitchfork (2008-12-15). Retrieved on 2010-09-29. and 81st best song of the decade.Staff Lists: The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 100-51 . Pitchfork (2009-08-19). Retrieved on 2010-09-29. Hype Machine rated the album as 11th best of the year.Top 50 Albums of 2008 / The Hype Machine. Hypem.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-29.
In October 2025, Paste ranked the album at number 245 on their "250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far" list, writing: "In those days, the sight of the unconventionally handsome Cox as a conventional rock frontman was exhilarating, affirming stuff. And though Microcastle is hardly straightforward, it was an aggressive step toward the mainstream that sacrificed none of Deerhunter’s woozy adventurousness."
Track listing
Tracks 6–8 are part of a suite
Personnel Deerhunter Moses Archuleta – drums Bradford J. Cox – guitar, keyboards, vocals Joshua Fauver – bass Lockett Pundt – guitar, vocals on "Agoraphobia" & "Neither of Us, Uncertainly"
Additional musicians Cole Alexander – vocal montage on "Saved By Old Times" Nicolas Vernhes – SK-1 on "Agoraphobia"
Technical staff Joe Lambert – mastering Nicolas Vernhes – producer, engineer
Charts Chart (2008)PeakpositionUS Billboard 200123US Billboard Heatseekers1US Billboard Independent Albums14US Billboard Tastemaker Albums10
References
External links Video of the group discussing and recording the album