The Runners Four

Released in 2005, The Runners Four represents a significant expansion for Deerhoof, moving away from the shorter, more frantic bursts of Apple O' and Milk Man toward a sprawling, 20-track double-album format. It is the first and only album to feature the four-piece lineup of Satomi Matsuzaki, Greg Saunier, John Dieterich, and Chris Cohen as a fully collaborative unit, with all members contributing vocals and songwriting. This democratic approach resulted in a richer, more varied sonic palette, characterized by intricate dual-guitar interplay and a warmer, more 'live' production style compared to their earlier bedroom-pop experiments. Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with AllMusic praising its 'unpredictable brilliance' and Pitchfork awarding it a high score for its ambitious scope. The album solidified Deerhoof's reputation as leaders of the indie-art-rock scene, blending noise-rock aggression with a whimsical, almost childlike sense of wonder.