Panda Bear: Person Pitch
Leaked in January, Person Pitch is already a hot-favourite amongst critics
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Tuesday, 03, Apr 2007 08:36
Released by Paw Tracks on April 2nd.
In a nutshell
Harmonic, rhythmic, euphoric, distinctive and explorative.
What's it all about?
Beach Boy-inspired harmonies and twanging guitars place Person Pitch well within indie-rock territory, but the insistent four-to-the-floor beats and woozy dub tones means the record defies easy pigeon-holing. The analogue feel of the album really sets it apart from the current crop of shouty lad-bands and self-absorbed singer songwriters.
It's not just the musical style that sets this album aside from the rest, but the themes it explores, suggesting a knowing-innocence. In places Lennox appears to be searching for redemption, and at others he attains it. The album isn't worlds apart from Lennox's previous albums or his work with Animal Collective, but he treads new territory here, stepping beyond pop convention without making life difficult for the listener.
Who's it by?
Lennox currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal, with his wife and daughter. Young Prayer was his solo album on Paw Tracks - an ode to his dying father - and he has worked with Animal Collective after meeting bandmates Avey Tare, Geologist, and Deakin in New York City.
As an example.
The opener, "Comfy in Nautica", features the chant "When my soul starts growing it gets so hungry/ I wish it never would, never would, never would stop growing" - typical of the albums wistful feel.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Leaked in January, the record is already a hot-favourite amongst critics, and is sure to feature prominently in the best albums of 2007 lists. That said, it may well be a sleeper as far as sales go. It has pop sensibilities, but could easily be side-stepped by those looking for that summer sing-a-long anthem.
What the others say
The Observer Music Monthly describes how Lennox "builds a unique and refreshing sound almost entirely out of percussion and his own multi-tracked voice, influenced by teenage years singing in a high school choir".
Meanwhile, US indie-rock magazine Pitchforkmedia enthuses: "You can feel the warmth coming out of the music and see the abstractions of its inspirations."
So is it any good?
Person Pitch is undoubtedly a triumph, the dense layering and attention to detail in the production is a testament to the work that has gone into it. Lennox sings beautifully and shows a talent for arrangement, managing to craft a cohesive whole out of seemingly disparate parts.
He's created his own sound signature, beatless yet propulsive and breezy without being trite.
Crucially, this album has authenticity and soul, qualities that continue to elude more popular bands like Kaiser Chiefs and The Rakes. This album isn't going to be heard blaring out of car stereos, but down the line it might just earn it's place as a classic that stood out among the crowd.
9/10
Sam Butler