Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavillion
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavillion
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Thursday, 15, Jan 2009 02:45
Domino, out now.
In a nutshell...
Swirling, twirling, campfire noise-pop.
What's it all about?
Animal Collective's ninth album since the turn of the millennium features 11 new cuts of pure, self-embracing indie-pop. While predominantly an acoustic trio, their last two full-lengths have seen them bravely blend electronic and sampled mash-ups into their sonic arsenal.
Who's it by?
Formed in Baltimore sometime in the late 1990s before finding their feet in New York City, Animal Collective consists of the playfully-named Panda Bear, Avey Tare and Geologist. Previous long-players such as Here Comes the Indian, Sung Tongs and Strawberry Jam have found immense favour an indie crowd with its head firmly in the clouds.
As an example...
"I pull down the window as you point out the cops/Pull off your sleeves and I ditch my socks," - obscure poetry from Summertime Clothes.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Not in a million light years, sadly. It would be an amazing spectacle if they did, not necessarily because they're one of the most exciting, original pop acts on the planet, but just to see what they wore. Baggy, tie-die sweaters and painted bin liners would be my guess.
What the others say
"There are wind chimes, beeps, tribal yelps and lyrics so abstract you couldn't begin to guess what they mean. However, as the beguiling melodies take hold they unveil a tapestry of magic," - David Simpson, the Guardian.
So is it any good?
After exploring the outer limits of pop for close to decade, it was difficult to envisage how much further Animal Collective could force the boundaries. Ten minutes of clicks, taps and synth stabs and it soon becomes evident they've managed it again.
While 2007's Strawberry Jam saw the band blow-up their acoustic wall of sound with an array of synthesis and sampling additions, Merriweather Post Pavillion takes this even further into space. From the garbled pop melodies of opener In the Flowers through to the meandering, thoughtful Daily Routine and finally the solemn closer Brothersport, Animal Collective consistently intrigue, enlighten and entertain.
Through their latest offering, the perfect harmonies of Bryan Wilson and the Beach Boys float in the background, proving the perfect hooks for the band's otherwise chaotic sound, reminding us that through the noise, this is after all still a pop album.
Remaining avant-garde to their core at the same time, Animal Collective haven't compromised on the psychedelic campfire folk of their earlier records which so effectively pulled in a generation of jaded acid freaks and dope fiends as a loyal audience.
9/10
Daniel Shane