Each track adds a chapter to this twisted book of fairytales. "Punch Buggy Values" delivers a straightforward blast of drums that could have been pulled from the Boredoms' back catalog. "The Eyebright Bugler" is deceiving bubblegum pop -- it ends so quickly, you may just swallow that gum. In fact, the album's only faltering step is "No One Fed Me So I Stayed." Muffled cries mix with bluesy harmonica; listening to it is more reminiscent of a disturbing carnival sideshow than experimental goofiness. The final tune, "Hallelujah Chorus," proves to be the glue barely holding the previous songs together.
Reveille is a frustrating album to sit through. Accessible it is not. Just when the momentum picks up and you feel the urge to dance, the song screeches to a halt with a single note. The fantastical, laconic leanings of Deerhoof could lead listeners to believe this is a concept album. Consider it a children's storybook for the ADD set.