+81

Released in late 2006, +81 is a five-track EP that serves as a vital snapshot of Deerhoof's creative agility during one of their most prolific eras. Coming between the critically acclaimed 'The Runners Four' and 'Friend Opportunity', this release highlights the band's fascination with reinterpreting existing musical structures. The inclusion of a cover like 'Sealed With a Kiss' demonstrates their ability to strip a pop standard of its sentimentality and replace it with a tense, high-contrast energy. Sonically, the EP is characterized by its dry, intimate production style - drums are mixed prominently and sound physically close, while guitars are often brittle and sharp. This recording captures the quintessential Deerhoof paradox: the music is intellectually complex and technically demanding, yet it retains the immediate, visceral appeal of a garage band rehearsal. It remains a cult favorite among fans for its brevity and its uncompromising adherence to the band's 'explosive-gentle' dynamic range.