APPLE O'

This fifth album from ''Deerhoof'' won't be remembered as a great one, I'm afraid. Their experimental basic rock music has very little to do with prog IMHHO. This probably explains the very few reviews for their work so far.

What is really exasperating is the weak, disturbing and lousy voice of Satomi Matsuzaki. She is a real pain.

To confirm with their previous works, the band proposed an awfully short album, filled with a lot of ULTRA short tracks. I deeply tried to point out some great number here, but it was a daunting task to be honest. No wonder that this band remains so confidential. You shouldn't really care.

Noisy, emotionless, embarrassing (''Flower'' being a great example of this emptiness): this is how I perceive this album. But I haven't been charmed with some of their previous work either (''Halfbird'' or ''Réveille''). I doubt that the band signed a better record with this one.

These vocal lamentations are really difficult to bear; even the ''melodic'' attempts like ''Apple Bomb'' are just below average. But in the global context, they might sound as pleasant to some ears (but not mine).

I guess that this is a casting mistake on PA. At best experimental as I have said, basic rock for the most. Where does it leads? To the one star rating, I'm afraid. Just listen to '' The Forbidden Fruits'' to be convinced.

Maybe some later work might be more interesting.At least ''L'Amour Stories'' shows some reasons for hope. Unfortunately, these are completely ruined by the ''Panda'' stuff. The only positive point with their albums, is that they are mostly on the very short edge. Some thirty minutes or so. But still.