For several months in 2005 Deerhoof wrote and recorded in their rented rehearsal space in Oakland. When it was released that fall (by Kill Rock Stars, ATP Recordings and 5 Rue Christine), the double album The Runners Four featured each band member as vocalist at various points, reversed instrumental roles for Matsuzaki (now on guitar) and Cohen (now on bass), and unusually wordy lyrics. Critical praise came notably from The New York Times and Pitchfork, which named the album as No. 6 in the best albums of 2005. The album was selected as Sufjan Stevens's \"Album of the Decade\" in Uncut Magazine
