Formed in Baltimore, Maryland out of childhood friendships, the Animal Collective has been pushing the boundaries of what can be considered pop music (or even music in general, at times) for over a decade. Consisting of Dave Portner (referred to as Avery Tare, generally considered the lead vocalist), Noah Lennox (Panda Bear who sings and drums), Brian Weitz (Geologist, who doesn't sing, but creates many of the electronic noises), and Josh Dibb (Deakin, who only appears on the first few albums playing the guitar), the Collective began by creating music that many considered to be "difficult", but over the course of time has allowed more of their pop music influences to infiltrate their music.I can probably safely assume that unless you've previously heard Animal Collective, your first experience listening to the band will be unlike anything you've ever heard before. It's impossible to classify a genre for the band, as they've basically created an entirely new genre which only consists of themselves. I like to think that they're a sort of Beach Boys for the modern age, as their music centers around the harmonies the vocalists (Avey Tare and Panda Bear) are so adept at. I'd even go so far as to say that if Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys were in his heyday now instead of the 60s that he would be making music very similar to these guys.
I struggled with the choice of album to start off with, but I've chosen to eliminate their debut album Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished in favor of the 2003 album Here Comes the Indian, as I feel that it shows the band rocking out much more than on any other album (this is kind of tongue-in-cheek, as their version of "rocking out" is pretty abstract), therefore showing a completely different side. From there we progress to Sung Tongs, which is a bit like giving an extremely talented child an acoustic guitar and some drums and letting them just create....you'll see what I mean when you hear it. The next two albums (Feels and Strawberry Jam) progress from the basic template set by Sung Tongs, becoming more accessible with each release. Finally, Merriweather Post Pavilion which was released in January of this year shows the band trying something almost completely different, incorporating a more electronic bass oriented sound while still all the while clearly remaining the same Animal Collective they've always been.
While I have fairly low expectations for everyone's complete enjoyment of this week's artist, all that I ask is that everyone goes into it with an open mind. My advice for listening to the band - especially in the early albums - is to just sort of let the music wash over you. Animal Collective create entire worlds outside of the everyday norm, and it's best to let them transport you wherever they may lead.
The Albums:
1. Here Comes the Indian (2003)
2. Sung Tongs (2004)
3. Feels (2005)
4. Strawberry Jam (2007)
5. Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
I'm a huge fan of this pick. Animal Collective is exactly the kind of band that we should be listening to in this group because when you see the difference in these guys from "Indian" to "Merriweather" it's such a ginormous leap in the right direction. I remember the first time I stumbled upon these guys on myspace and I didn't understand it, yet I wasn't quick to dismiss it because I knew it had value. I hope the rest of you enjoy the growth of these guys like I have.
ReplyDelete"Indian" at first sounds like a band setting up for a gig, soundchecking and just playing weird chords on Native Belle. Hey Light is hilarious to me because it sounds like a bunch of monkeys playing instruments and singing(quite proficiently for monkeys) and then halfway through their instruments are taken away and they are forced to simply harmonize and clap. They really take their time developing each track even though, for me, they don't lead up to anything spectacular. Slippi is the highlight of the album, it is a staple of most of their live shows because it is like somebody saying the magic word on PeeWee's Playhouse for 2 and a half minutes.
"Sung Tongs" starts off splendidly with phenomenal harmonizing between Avey and Panda Bear on Leaf House. The percussion compliments the singing perfectly. Their sound is more realized and executed on this album, there's a sense of fleshed out compositions instead of walls of noise. These guys are great at creating ambiance in their own songs, halfway through The Softest Voice I get the feeling of being in a swamp because of the creature noises they can conjure with just their instruments. I also get the feeling of swimming with whales on Visiting Friends. College is a Beach Boys outtake recorded while frying bacon. Honestly, have you ever heard anything like this? This shit is awesome! They have the uncanny ability to understand when to sing louder than the music, like on Mouth Wooed Her and also when to let the music be the leader like on Good Lovin Outside. This album is much better than I remember.
to be cont.
I've never listened to these albums back to back in this fashion, but it's frickin unbelievable. The brilliance of these musicians is unveiling itself with each track and it's such a treat. They somehow are able to make music that seems impossibly bigger than just a few guys. I've listened to Did You See The Words on "Feels" 3 times in a row simply for Panda Bear's operatic injections. The reoccurring theme that I keep finding in all their albums is a child-like approach with their vocals, almost like they are luring you in with an innocence of campfire songs or nursery rhymes. The track Bees is simply gorgeous, with what appears to be a harp strummed with unease but fits seemlessly into the lush musical tapestry. Adjectives flow out of me when I listen to these guys, I could write forever. "Feels" is an album I will listen to with my children, if I ever have any.
ReplyDeletePeacebone starts with a scramble of synthy bleeps to set the uneven tone of "Strawberry Jam". Along with tracks like Chores and For Rev. Green, there is a louder more aggressive approach with this album. Fireworks stands as a patriotic anthem as the constant snare is almost like a marching band keeping time. #1 is the weirdest song that I think is absolutley beautiful, with Avey's affected droning lyrics and Panda's choralling. Once again, this is some of the most original music I've ever heard. Panda get's most of the vocal recognition for the group as he had a well received solo album, but Avey really steps up on this album especially on Cuckoo Cuckoo where he projects a bombast that defies unrecognition.
"Merriweather Post Pavillion" takes everything great that A.C. has done in the past and marries it with a grandios thump. I remember listening to "My Girls" at David and Laura's for the first time and being completely blown away at how catchy and accessible it was. Could I possibly hear this song in a club after a Rhianna track? The answer is yes, which is pretty much the last wall A.C. had yet to break down, commercial viability. The wonderful thing is that's not what they're shooting for, but they show that they can do it with ease. The songs on this album are beat driven, which has never been a primary component on any previous album but lends to the chant-worthy vocals of Panda and Avey on such tracks like Daily Routine and Lion In A Coma. Speaking of which, not even Men At Work, who were from Australia and made a song called Down Under, could make a better soundtrack to the Outback. No More Runnin' brings back the ambiance and I feel should have been the final cut on the album. I could gush about this band forever, but the truth is they have always surprised and amazed me and I can't see how they can top this album. They are one of the few bright spots in a very predictable and boring musical landscape today.
I had already heard a few songs from Animal Collective about a year ago, and have to say that I was not that impressed. Going into this week, I thought this would be interesting to take a further look into the band and see if my viewpoint had changed at all.
ReplyDeleteThe First Album was hard for me to get through. It was just like something out of outer space or something. The first song on the album, “Native Belle,” is a perfect example of this. It sounds like some alien coming over a transmitter of something and playing its native music. I am not sure if I could even consider this album music, as I see it more or less as just random noises. I am sure others can take away something from this, but for me it was a relief to get to the last track.
The Second Album started off much better for me. I actually enjoyed the first track, “Leaf House.” “The Softest Voice” was a nice and relaxing song. I like the harmonizing in the background, and it kind of takes you off to some far off mystical land. The song, “Visiting Friends” I did not care for very much. It seemed to drag on a lit too long, and just kind of lost my interest. The last song on this album cracked me up. I don’t know if I am the only one who found the song funny, but the noise he is making is hysterical. All in all the second album was much better for me than the first, and I now conclude that these guys must do a bunch of acid or something to come up with this stuff.
On “Feels,” the song “The purple bottle” is quite fun to listen to. I am starting to understand them more, and try and hear all the different sounds incorporated into each song. For all the work they put into each song, I must give them props. It is quite a unique listening experience, unlike anything I have ever really heard. The other song on this album I enjoyed was, “Bees,” it sounds like they use a Chinese pipa in the song, which I think is a very beautiful instrument and makes for a very relaxing ambience. I am also wondering if while listening to these songs, anyone is reminded of Simon and Garfunkel a little bit. When I hear them sing, I automatically think back to them. Not sure if anyone agrees with me on that.
The fourth album, “Strawberry Jam,” starts off a little louder than the previous albums. It sounds like they are starting to transform themselves a little on this album. So far going into this album the first two tracks are not doing much for me. I could see children really enjoying the track, “Unsolved Mysteries,” not for the lyrics but for the carnival type sounds in the background. It does make a dark subject like Jack the Ripper more light and airy. I also notice I am not hearing the more mellow Simon and Garfunkel references I had heard in the last 2 albums. I thought the song, “Fireworks,” was fun and liked how the use of the symbol represented the fireworks going off. My favorite song on the album was probably, “#1” just because it sounds like some sort of dream world. Not my favorite of the albums, but definitely interesting.
ReplyDeleteOn the last album, I see what Justin is saying in that they are starting to get their sound to a place where it is actually something you might hear on the radio. Especially the song, “My Girls” which is very catchy and you could just see a bunch of people singing along to it. The song “Daily Routine” was quite interesting; I liked the background noises on this one. It almost reminded me of a church organ at times. My favorite tracks on this album were, In the Flowers, and Summertime Clothes. They stuck out to me the most and I can’t quite put my finger on what it was about them that made me like them. Maybe they were the easiest for me to follow along with, (as well as the song My Girls) and at the end of the day I am always looking for a good flow to my music.
David did a great job picking this group to introduce us to. It is definitely unlike anything I have ever heard before and I feel like they are the future for the music industry
Upon throwing Here Comes the Indian, it was exactly what David had said in that it was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The best word that I can describe the album with is suspenseful. This is not typically a word I use with music, but I had absolutely no idea what was about to come through the speakers at any given second on during any given track. For the most part, this album was complete torture during the first listen. Upon listening to it a second time through with headphones, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time through and actually I was thinking the entire time that it would be an excellent soundtrack to the Blair Witch Project. The reviews of this album are quite humorous in that either people give this 5 stars or 0 stars. For those that give it 5-stars, it is the knees bees and helps answer all of the questions of life. For those that give it 0-stars, they compare it to giving wild primates some sticks and letting them run through a grocery store. For me, I think I am missing that special something that helps me “get it.” Perhaps David can help describe exactly what that special “it” is as I would very much like to listen to this again with that in mind.
ReplyDeleteSung Tongs was 12 times better than Here Comes the Indian for me. I put this album through three times and was relieved to hear actual instruments this time, but still have a hard time understanding what this group is attempting to achieve. These tracks for the most part were just long repetitive tracks with an occasional screech or a single sentence that you could determine was English. I have come to enjoy Leaf House as it was the catchiest and had the most lyrics that you could comprehend. Once again, I think I am just not smart enough to get it.
Feels was 12 times better than Sung Tongs for me. There are several moments that remind me of some of the trippy Beatles tracks that we played on Rock Band. These tracks are not even remotely catchy, yet they are so unordinary that I am bored and yet intrigued at the same time. I do wish that this had more variety between the tracks and that it had at least one big stand out track. This is the first album where I can feel that perhaps there is an underlying talent that I can appreciate. I have a feeling that with more and more listens to this album, it could eventually grow on me and I could begin to appreciate this group. I think the first two are a lost cause for me though. Oh and I loved the track title of Daffy Duck, but have no idea why it was titled that.
ReplyDeleteStrawberry Jam was 12 times better than Feels for me. This entire album sounded like a big tripped out Beach Boys album. This had a lot of cool upbeat and inspirational melodies on this album. I think I am beginning to appreciate the random crazy noises that you do not hear anyone else put onto an album. I have to give them credit that they are going to do their own thing and not give a shit about what anyone else thinks. They are truly leaders in their genre and not followers and I actually really like that about them. My favorite track is probably For Reverend Green as I totally got hooked into this track and loved the vocal range and occasional scream that was tossed in. The vocals on Fireworks reminded me of Andy Samberg while performing as Blizzard. I definitely intend to listen to this album again especially when I am in a bizarre mood or maybe drunk.
Merriweather Post Pavillion was not as good as Strawberry Jam for me. I did like how the songs were very unpredictable and completely shifted gears mid song. However, it seemed like they were experimenting the entire time and were a bit out of their element. There was way too much keyboard and too much of a pop sound for me to believe this was still them setting their own bar and not trying to recreate things that have already been done. I guess it just didn’t feel as honest and innocent as their previous works. Summertime Clothes sounded like Death Cab’s Summer Skin on acid. This is probably another one that I could grow into with some coaching.
Overall, this group surprised me in how each album progressed and how they simply don’t give a shit. Thank you for the introduction and I look forward to your coaching on how to fully listen to this group to get the max out of each listening session.
A little intro…when I first heard Animal Collective, I was far from a fan. I had just started dating David when he introduced me, indirectly, to “Strawberry Jam.” I could not believe the crap that was coming out of the speakers, and was even more amazed when David and Justin, two people known for having good taste in music, thought it was good. Because of my stubborn personality and general distaste for noise, I pegged Animal Collective as a group that I despised “with every fiber of my being,” an opinion which I stated on numerous occasions until 2008 with the release of “Merriweather Post Pavilion.” A couple of the songs leaked and of course David got ahold of them right away and started playing them on repeat. A short time later, I surprised even myself when I fell in love with the song, “My Girls.” Taking it even further, I discovered that I liked, dare I say loved, the entire album. And then I saw the band at Bonnaroo. Live, the songs sounded more like the mess I considered the band to be in the first place, but I can’t pretend that some of my experience wasn’t tainted by the blazing hot sun and all the sweaty people eating homemade peanut butter cups smothering me half to death, passing out and then scrambling to get out of there. Like them live, or don’t, I can’t say undeniably that perfect production like that on “Merriweather” doesn’t just happen on accident. These guys have real talent, something I didn’t see, I COULDN’T see, until it all came together on their latest release. If you guys didn’t like them this week, (and I’m not reading your opinions till I’m done with my original posts), I suggest you try and let them grow on you. You might be surprised at yourself. And now I shall start picking apart each album…
ReplyDeleteHere Comes the Indian (2003)
ReplyDeleteOn first listen, I was not a fan. The first track, “Native Belle,” actually scared the hell out of me and I had to turn it down. It kept fading in and fading out and then back in, so I kept turning it down, then up, then down again and things got a little monotonous that way. Had I heard this CD before hearing anything else, I probably would have dreaded the rest of the week and faced the other albums with bias in the back of my mind. Luckily, that was not the case. Like last week with Madlib, Animal Collective can be hard to understand, which is the reason I hated them in the first place. Their music, especially on this album, is anything but conventional and like David said, at times even unrecognizable as music. That’s why I was so frustrated with them in the beginning; I know that now. Thomas and Beth, I meant to post this earlier, as I generally write throughout the week in Word and then rewrite and post on Fridays, and tell you things were going to get better, because I knew immediately how you would feel on first listen, since I did all those two years ago. Being more familiar with their current stuff, I can tell you that the seemingly random sounds, like the screaming in “Hey Light,” for example, makes more sense because I can see how it fits into the big picture. This whole album is plagued with random sounds. “Panic” sounds like a chorus of brain-hungy, blood-thirsty zombies. “Slippi” was the only highlight on this album for me, but I’m pretty sure it’s because David’s played it before and it sounds familiar. I read around, and this album garnered fairly valuable reviews, but I can’t say much for it myself.
Sung Tongs (2004)
ReplyDelete“Sung Tongs” was an immediate relief because it actually sounded like music to me. Still unconventional, but at least the band proved themselves capable of carrying a tune here. The guys have great voices, which was harder to hear through all the chanting and nonsense on “Indian.” I loved the acoustic guitar sounds and the random meowing on “Leaf House,” which was defintely the highlight for me on this one. “The Softest Voice” was different for me but I kind of liked it. It shows a little bit of the guys’ softer side. It even sounds like something I might listen to while doing yoga – very relaxing. I liked the decription one reviewer used for the band as having “folk tourettes” – their compositions rampant with disorder and chaos, and then being able to change moods at the drop of a hat. I really liked the kid sounds and clapping on “Sweet Road” (I have a thing for clapping in songs if you didn’t know). I liked this album a lot more than the first and was interested to listen on.
Feels (2005)
ReplyDeleteEven after boasting about the band’s creativity and versatility, I never expected “an album of love songs” which is how I saw this album described all over the place. Even more than “Sung Tongs,” this album showcases the voices and harmonies of Avey Tare and Panda Bear. For me, “Grass” was the highlight of the album. It was both beautiful and fun, and of course quirky, as is their signature. For the first time since we started this blog, an album grabbed my attention as something I could grow to love over more time. I know David thinks it’s weird that I like this one, but that’s how I feel. The “Do-do do-do do-do” in “The Purple Bottle” sounds like some noise David would make while being silly. In fact, I must have heard him sing this song before... I liked that “Bees” was a little trippy and has a bit of an Oriental sound to it, and the guys make their own buzz sounds which is frickin’ weird but loveable…
Strawberry Jam (2007)
Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned. I was unable to let go of my bias. This was the first Animal Collective album I ever heard, and the one I based my all-consuming hatred of the band on. I tried to let go of that bias and listen to this album objectively, but I’m afraid it’s going to take some time. In the meantime, the album sounds more energetic than the ones that came before. I think I could grow to like the song “Fireworks” more in time, as well as the song “Derek,” but I’m still really not a fan, sorry.
Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
ReplyDeleteAnd, the moment I’ve been waiting for all week! For an album, or hell, a handful of leaked songs to swoop in and turn around the kind of rooted hatred I harbored for this band, well, you know that it’s something special. “My Girls” is the crowned achievement of “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” (and possibly of the year 2008 in music, period), which is by far the most accessible of the five albums David has introduced to us to here. I love the lyrics, “there isn’t much that I need; a silent soul and blood I bleed; with a little girl and by my spouse, I only want a proper house,” because the line gives the guys a down to earth quality when you know that people who produce this kind of music are anything but. The beat is perfect and catchy and I can promise that I’ll be listening to this song on repeat for years to come. Here more than ever, its easy to see what David was talking about when he referenced the Beach Boys – especially in the song “Bluish,” which I found myself dying to hear at Bonnaroo. Every new song they would start I secretly hoped would be “Bluish,” and until that moment I had no idea how much of an impact that song had on me, with its brilliant harmonies and catchy chorus. “Lion in a Coma,” has a really interesting beat and a great African sound to it. Personally I like the “oooh” you can hear lightly throughout the beat itself. “Brothersport” is where the Avey Tare and Panda Bear’s voices blend together perfectly, and then the song picks up – achieving a kind of light but hyper all-consuming feeling for the listener, if that makes any sort of sense because I’m starting to think that I ramble... The lyrics to “Daily Routine” are hard to understand, but I stopped listening to them as lyrics and started counting them as part of the beat, and now that song blows me away. And I can’t forget “Also Frightened” and the ever-haunting “will it be just like I’m dreaming?” line. Anyway, overall, I can’t say enough about this album, I love the hell out of it. 5 stars. 6 stars on a 5 star scale. Call me obsessed.
In summary, great great choice by David. I just got a new iPod Touch and you better bet the complete Animal Collective discography is on it. (And now I feel like a traitor to 2007 me, but it's all worth it baby.)
One more thing because I just realized I forgot to say it. After listening to all these albums and looking back on the reasons I didn't like Animal Collective at first, it occurred to me that the band's early albums were like an assault on the listener's senses, on purpose. It was off-putting to me because it made me angry and just sounded like a bunch of noise. When I referenced that with the later albums I could see how these random sounds fit into the grand scheme of things, I meant that their later albums proved that they were talented and that they've known what they were doing all along. It gives one a new perspective looking back. Make sense?
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thomas, I just read your post. WHAT!??!?! You didn't like MPP, but you did like STRAWBERRY JAM!? I feel like you just punched me in the babymaker. Then again I guess you are entitled to your own opinion.
ReplyDeleteP.S.S. I meant 2009 when I said 2008 in my comments earlier regarding the last album.