Monomania (Deerhunter album)

The album's title is a reference to lead singer Bradford Cox's obsessive traits. In 2015, Cox reflected on his life while writing, recording and promoting Monomania, stating: "I was actually going through a deep period of passionate rage. [...] That was what I was like at that time: a mixed-up wreck. Monomania was a very hateful record, and I mistreated a lot of people around me. I was in a lot of pain and very lonely. But there was also a big sense of humor; I never lose my sense of humor." ==Recording and release==

The album was recorded at Rare Book Room Studio in Brooklyn, with producer Nicolas Vernhes, who also produced Microcastle and Rainwater Cassette Exchange. The album's title is a reference to lead singer Bradford Cox’s obsessive traits. Cox also described the album as "a very avant-garde rock & roll record". In 2015, Cox reflected on Monomania and its reception: "I really think Monomania was a successful record artistically, and I don’t think people view it that way. I think it’s viewed as an exhausted misstep. Frankly, I feel a lot stronger about Monomania [than 2015's Fading Frontier]. Monomania was a case where I set out to accomplish, and I was able to execute, very much what I wanted to. In that way it was a success. I don’t give a shit how many copies it sold or how it got reviewed." ==Reception==

Critical Monomania received acclaim from critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 81, based on 41 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". At the end of 2013, Pitchfork placed Monomania at number 30 on its list of the 50 best albums of the year, with critic Aaron Lietko writing, "It's not a record that pleased all the band's fans, particularly those who prefer their epic space-rock turns, but it's a compelling left-field turn that shores up Deerhunter's other big strength: unpredictability." In "Run It Back: Beats Per Minute's Top 50 Albums of 2013," John Amen wrote, "Throughout Monomania, Deerhunter showcase their versatility, drawing from multiple playbooks. Cox, meanwhile, revels in mysterious yet emotionally accessible songs, frequently occurring as a born-in-the-garage and punk-nursed reincarnation of John Lennon. Placing hi-fi concepts and compositions in a lo-fi setting, Monomania is arguably Deerhunter’s most consummate outing." Robert Christgau placed the album at number 14 on his "Dean's List" for 2013. Commercial The album debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on its release, selling around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week. It also debuted at No. 12 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums, and No. 10 on the Alternative Albums chart. The album has sold 33,000 copies in the United States as of October 2015. ==Track listing==

Deerhunter • Bradford Cox – vocals (1–2, 4–12), percussion (3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10), tapes (1, 2, 6, 10), acoustic guitar (1, 6, 11), electric rhythm guitar (4, 12), guitar (5), electric melody bass (12), synthesizer (3), organ (5), gamelan (2), treatments (3), little instruments (5), fog machine (1), metal box (9) • Lockett Pundt – electric rhythm guitar (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8), electric lead guitar (3, 4, 9, 10), lead vocals (3), octave lead guitar (2), low guitar (7) acoustic guitar (9, 12), percussion (5), field recording (10) • Moses Archuleta – drums, percussion (1), videos (1), auxiliary hi-hat (3) • Frankie Broyles – electric lead guitar (1, 2, 5, 6, 8), electric guitar (3), electric rhythm guitar (9, 10), steel guitar (4), high guitar (7), acoustic guitar (12), field recording (10) • Josh McKay – bass guitar, farfisa (9), Wurlitzer (9), Baldwin organ (9) Recording personnel • Nicolas Vernhes – producer, recording • Deerhunter – producer • Bradford Cox – recording • Gabe Wax – assistant engineer • Joe Lambert – mastering Artwork • Winston Parker – "Neon Calligraphy" • Robert Semmer – photography • Proenza Schouler – clothing and direction • Matt de Jong – art direction • Bradford Cox – art direction ==Chart positions==