2009 has already been a great year for music, and we’re not even half way through. Over the final few weeks of this semester, I will review my favorite musical releases of this year so far. First off, Animal Collective…
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
Animal Collective is perhaps one of the most hyped up bands in the indie music world, but rightfully so. This album transcends everything the band has ever done before. Animal Collective is always pushing the envelope for a balance of experimentation and pop sensibility. Where their last album was more jagged and haunted, MPP is chilled-out, continuous and dreamy. Most of the songs seamlessly transition into each other, begging for listeners to digest the album in one sitting.
Immediate standout tracks include the single “My Girls,” “Lion in a Coma,” and “Brother Sport,” but limiting this review to “standout tracks” would do this album a disservice. Every song on the album can stand on its own, and it’s all thanks to Animal Collective’s loose and eccentric songwriting. All of the songs have a bubbly, sometimes tribal atmosphere with melodies that heavily rely on synthesizers, strong lyricism and echoing harmonies. In addition, the band does a lot of layering with various synthesizer loops and drum tracks to build up the drama and excitement of their songs.
It’s important to mention that this album is very lyric-heavy and its one of the albums strong points. “Bluish” greatly demonstrates the band’s odd romanticism with “I like your looks when you get mean/I know I shouldn’t say so but when you/Claw me like a cat, I’m beaming.” In some cases, Animal Collective’s lyrics can get repetitive: “Open up your, open up your/Open up your throat/And let the all of that time/All of that time, all of that time go,” but only to their advantage to create a dancing frenzy.
While “Brother Sport” and other fast-moving tracks will make you dance fiercely, other songs like “Bluish” and “No More Runnin” will evoke a slow sway of the body. This balance sets a fine pace for the album, allowing listeners to get revved up for one track and then relax and chill for the next one.
If you’re a fan of experimental, electronic, dub, and/or freak folk, I highly suggest picking up this album at your local Bull Moose Music store. And even if you’re not, do the same; it’s definitely worth it.