Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Last night I watched Charles Gibson, esteemed ABC World News anchor, plug the new Animal Collective album in a webcast anticipating the “Hot Indie Albums” of the New Year. It’s astounding that a group as amorphous and peculiar as AC (all band members use cryptic pseudonyms and were performing behind masks only a few years ago) would reach the consciousness of mainstream media in any capacity.
So, amidst snaking power cables and the warm glow of their samplers, Animal Collective has created their most accessible and complete work to date, an alien record strangely enmeshed in daily life. Lyrically, Merriweather Post Pavilion finds the psychedelic warriors putting aside the mystery and angst of 2007’s uneven Strawberry Jam for the sake of simple relational pleasures. There is a warm transparency in the understated chorus of “Summertime Clothes,” in which Dave Portner (aka Avey Tare) joyously bleats, “I want to walk around with you.” The Afro-beat rapture of closer “Brother Sport” finds Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) consoling his sibling after their father’s death. There is no irony or pretense, only clarity.
Musically, MPP expands upon the Collective’s signature textural palette while borrowing a melodic bend from Panda Bear’s critically acclaimed solo release, Person Pitch. The group’s relentless, ever-innovative output continues to amass, and it’s remarkable how they’ve perfected their art. The twinkling arpeggios of “My Girls,” the euphoric, thumping climax of “In the Flowers,” and the obscure jaw harp sample in “Lion in a Coma” illustrate (again) the band’s talent at sifting pop through their innate weirdness. Merriweather Post Pavilion is an absolute sonic labyrinth, a layered haze of found sounds and dense harmonization to be explored and memorized. Even Charles Gibson digs it.
Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes
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I love Animal Collective. The first song I ever heard by them was Fireworks off of Strawberry Jam.
I was blown away.
From Merriweather Post Pavillion, I would have to say that Summertime Clothes is my favourite.
and I want to walk arounnnnd with yoouuuu, and be here with youuuu.
All of their songs make me extremely happy.
I am so glad this band exists.
Slippi was the first song I ever heard, but like above, Fireworks blew me away I saw them live earlier this week and I could have listened to that version of Fireworks for hours. Summertime Clothes – this song is helping me get over these cold Scottish winters.
wow where did you see them live Jules? I’ve always wanted to but haven’t had the chance yet