via Animal Collective
I feel compelled to begin this post with the following disclaimer: I am not a die-hard Animal Collective fan. By no means am I an expert since I have not listened to every AC song ever created in all of its existing forms. Under normal circumstances, I would not spend Christmas Day on Ateaseweb (David, I blame you for introducing me), scouring the boards for a decent quality leak of Merriweather Post Pavillion. I'm sharing this unnecessary information to implore you to listen to this album, even if you've never been an Animal Collective fan. I've been jokingly calling it cocaine for your ears, but somehow that convinced some of my friends to check it out.
It's true. I saw Animal Collective at All Points West last summer, and it made me want to die. The sound balance was nonexistent, and all I could hear was painful noise. But, unknowingly, my love affair with MPP had begun that day after hearing "House" (now "My Girls") and "Brothersport." I'm not really a fan of Strawberry Jam, and I still can't get myself to listen to that album. But, these other songs at APW were actually enjoyable. By the time that the studio version of "My Girls" leaked, Merriweather Post Pavillion had become my most anticipated album of 2009.
My awful travels home were quickly forgotten with the Christmas surprise of MPP, which I've been constantly playing for nearly two weeks now. I think Fluxblog's post pretty much sums up my feelings on Strawberry Jam and my reaction to this new album. Merriweather Post Pavillion is not perfect (what album is?), but it's one of the strongest overall records I've heard in awhile. It may disappoint some of you that there's nothing on this album that sounds like "Peacebone" and "Fireworks," but that is one of the reasons why I actually enjoy this album. Animal Collective really strove to find a middle ground in all the elements that essentially make up their signature sound so that the components would be allowed work together to create a pleasant sound. MPP is poppy without making you gag by being too sweet; it's chaotic without sounding excessively noisy. Most of the tracks (especially the Panda Bear ones) are very repetitive, but I do not find myself losing interest in this album. Okay, I admit that some of the mushy lyrics make me gag a little, but that may just be me. Can't blame the guys for falling in love with their wives and families.
The catchiest tune and my favorite track (until I played it out) is "My Girls," which is the ultimate sing-along song for indie kids who like to sing in rounds. When you listen to the synth intro to "Bluish," you may get confused and think you are listening to MGMT. But, like my friend David said, "Bluish" is what would be created if MGMT actually had talent. To be honest, I wish I hadn't heard "My Girls" or "Brothersport" without the context of the album in its entirety. I only have myself to blame for that, so I guess Animal Collective was right in not wanting pieces of MPP being leaked. Damn, I can only imagine losing my mind as "In the Flowers" transitions into "My Girls" or as the album closes with "Brothersport." So, although I've posted my latest favorites below, please do not play them out without listening to the entire album from start to finish. Merriweather Post Pavillion is available today on vinyl. Wait until January 20 for the full release.
I was serious about listening to the album in its entirety. Please purchase Merriweather Post Pavillion and listen from start to finish. That's how it was meant to be enjoyed, and enjoy it you will. Beware, this is some addicting stuff. MPP is a summer album that you'll be listening to all year round.
Tracks taken down per Web Sheriff's request...I'm also on MOG.
January 6, 2009
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
December 25, 2008
Happy Holidays!
via Asthmatic Kitty Records
Because I am full of good karma and luck, I had a seat on the only cancelled United flight from LGA to Chicago yesterday. Supposedly, the flight was cancelled due to “the weather,” but I suspected that this may not have been the case since all the other shuttle flights were good to go. I’d been on standby at the airport since 3 AM, with little to no hope that I would make it home in time for Christmas. The brains at United had managed to overbook every single flight for the day, and the standby list was growing exponentially as a result of the cancelled flights over the last couple days. Thankfully, a kind United employee managed to book me onto a flight around noon. I think she could sense that I was close to a breakdown due to lack of sleep and lack of real food (Au Bon Pain kiosks do not count). But, I'm finally home, and that's what matters. Man, Illinois is so cold and windy.
Happy Holidays!
In other news, a very highly anticipated album has just leaked. You can take a peak at what I'll be listening to for the rest of the day. I wonder if the Web Sheriff is taking a holiday today.
Come on! Feel the Illinoise! - Sufjan Stevens
Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!) - Sufjan Stevens
November 19, 2008
Animal Collective - "Brothersport"
via Animal Collective
I can admit when I'm wrong or when I've changed my mind. Well, in this case, it's both. I've been hating on Animal Collective since I first heard Strawberry Jam and wrote them off forever. Oh, and that All Points West performance when I was standing 5 people deep or so in the crowd. My ears may have bled a little that day, but the performance did intrigue me. Mostly, I was confused when I found myself paying attention to "House" (now "My Girls") and "Brother Sport" (now "Brothersport"). A couple days ago, a studio version of "Brothersport" was leaked. I knew the link would not be up for long, and I was really anxious to listen to it. So, I asked a friend (Thanks, A.) to download the track for me and send it to my personal email.
If I'd thought the live versions were catchy, they're nothing compared to the mastered version. "Brothersport" is one of the most infectious songs that I've heard in a long time. Compared to the live versions, it is definitely sweeter and even more accessible. It's so sweet that my teeth hurt when I listen to it. In the best way possible. Oops, I just got distracted and started dancing in my chair to this song. I have to admit that I miss Avey Tare's yelping, which is left out in the studio version.
So, folks, turns out that I don't hate Animal Collective. In fact, I very much like Sung Tongs (K., I finally got around to it), too. And, I've always been a Panda Bear fan. I like when Animal Collective sounds more like Panda Bear. I can't remember where I read it, but someone wrote that this track/upcoming album sounded as if AC took the best part of the group, Panda Bear, and just went in that direction. Well, it's working for me.
The studio version is up on Grizzly Bear's Blog at the moment. I'm not sure how long that will be up, so act quickly. Enjoy the live versions of "Brothersport" and "My Girls" below.
Merriweather Post Pavillion will be released on January 20. The release date coincides with the date of the NYC show at Grand Ballroom. Unfortunately, I did not act quickly enough to get tickets. But, I will be diligently looking for some as the date draws nearer. I've decided that Grand Ballroom doesn't have the sound capacity to get that loud, so I may actually enjoy the show.
Brothersport - Animal Collective (Look in the text above)
My Girls (Live at Hove Festival 06-23-08) - Animal Collective
Brothersport (Live on NPR) - Animal Collective
August 19, 2008
The Mystery of Animal Collective
via brooklynvegan
There are a lot of things about Animal Collective that I just don't get. First of all, I don't really get their music. I once said that they were one of the most overrated bands of 2007. After seeing/suffering through them at All Points West, I still don't really understand how anyone could like them. This excerpt from an interview with NPR pretty much sums it up:
In an online statement to fans, Animal Collective says, "Don't be surprised if you come to see us and it's not what you thought it would be, and try not to get too upset." The group adds that it hopes its music is "at times totally pleasing and at others completely scary and confusing, but most importantly is refreshing in this crazy, crazy world."
If by refreshing, you mean painful, then yes. Yes, it is refreshing. When Animal Collective was performing, I was sitting on the ground, in utter pain. Let's just say I was lucky to have my in-ear headphones at the time. I thought to myself, "This is what hell must feel like. Animal Collective live." An AC fan told me that the APW people had screwed up their sound check. Another fan said that AC had become far, far worse. I think it's safe to say that this is how they have always sounded live.
Now, if you're an Animal Collective fan, I don't mean to offend you, although there are times when I've said that AC is for people with hearing difficulties. I just don't understand who anyone could rock out to all of their music. Don't get me wrong, I like Panda Bear, but Animal Collective is pretty much unlistenable.
So, why am I writing about Animal Collective? If you know me personally, or read my blog, you probably got that I don't like to bash music. A snide comment here and there, fine. But, I don't go out of my way to talk about how much I hate the band.
That's the thing. I've stopped hating Animal Collective, or at least one AC song, and I'm even more confused by the fact. On top of all the things I couldn't conceive before, now I don't get why I can't get Animal Collective out of my head.
Out of the entire APW set, I chose to remember two songs (I blocked out the rest from my memory). These two were "House" and "Brother Sport." At first listen, "Brother Sport" may not sound so pleasant. A friend of mine described the music pretty eloquently. Since I don't remember exactly what he said, I'm going to put words into his mouth and say that it's pretty much pop gone wrong. Music that could have been good, but took a sudden turn into a dark, dark place where bad music lives and breeds.
Then, it came to me. I'm entertained by "Brother Sport," because I think it's funny. Listen to the song. If the singing doesn't make you laugh, doesn't the yelping do it for you? Every time I listen to this song, I end up chuckling or, at the very least, smiling like a fool. No smiles yet? Scroll up during the yelping part and actually look at the face of the guy who is yelping. Hilarious. Also, I like how the yelping loses its intensity as time goes on. I guess yelping over and over (no loops) is tiring.
So, is it okay to like Animal Collective if it makes me laugh? I say yes, even though I may not be appreciating the music for its purpose (I think AC and their fans think this is pretty serious stuff). Maybe if I have this attitude towards all of their music, I'll like it all...okay, no. I just tried listening to "Fireworks" and couldn't get through it.
Brother Sport (Live on NPR) - Animal Collective
