Usually, we use The Last Word to collect the closing bon mots from the week’s biggest record reviews. But last night’s listening party for the new album by Animal Collective–Merriweather Post Pavilion, which doesn’t come out until the calendar flips to 2009–seemed worthy of a spin through Google, at the very least. A few takeaways from the event after the jump.
• “The record’s got the layered harmonies of Panda Bear’s solo turn, but not the bubblegum pop, opting instead for the stoned vibe of a friendly drum circle or an house record spun at 4 a.m. But if you take anything from this: The riotous ‘Summertime Clothes’ will be your summer jam in ‘09. If they can keep this thing from leaking.” [Village Voice]
• “While tracks like the low-key ‘No More Runnin’’ are more conventionally song-oriented, the focus here is on constantly shifting textures and moods, like the central riff of ‘Daily Routine,’ which sounds like a bowling ball being thrown for a strike across the keys of an organ, or the moment on ‘Guys Eyes’ that suggests nothing so much as a backwards loop of a piano being dropped from the roof of a monastery.” [RS]
• “Appropriately, the album ends with the line ‘You’ve got so much inside/ Let it come right out,’ which, in the context of the new record, feels like an incredibly apt description of where AC stands artistically as we roll into 2009. I guess, to sum it up, all I can say is that now I’m really fucking excited for 1/20/2009. It’s going to be epic.” [CHOCOLATE BOBKA]
• “It’s strange how someone telling you the end of a movie could ruin it, but someone telling you the end of a record just makes you stoked to get there. Right? ” [8008]
These guys were so horrible at All Points West. Seriously, was the most self-indulgent noise I’ve ever seen.
band honks
After reading these, and the one on Pitchfork, I got the impression they weren’t impressed by what they were hearing, but they are liking it only because they got to hear it before everybody else. Does that make sense?
My cool hipster friends adore this band, but aside from “Water Curses” (and possibly “Peacebone”) I haven’t heard any strong material by them. They seem to be OK, but they’re not the “best indie band going” (currently joint held by Beach House, Los Campesinos! and Fleet Foxes, IMO).
I did like this a lot while I was listening, but I think it isn’t fair to have a strong critical take either way so soon. Anything live, or anything in person like these events, makes things more impressive, too.
I get the impression that the older someone is the less they tend to enjoy Animal Collective. I’m a youngin myself at 21 (but a youngin who often finds himself literally the youngest person in attendance at the shows he goes to), and I adore them–more so as they move away from the ‘freak-folk’ stuff.
@moulty: I’m a youngin myself at 21 (but a youngin who often finds himself literally the youngest person in attendance at the shows he goes to)
oh shut up.
“My cool hipster friends adore this band, but aside from “Water Curses” (and possibly “Peacebone”) I haven’t heard any strong material by them. They seem to be OK, but they’re not the “best indie band going” (currently joint held by Beach House, Los Campesinos! and Fleet Foxes, IMO).”
Are you kidding me??!! Beach House put me to sleep faster than Sigur Ros, people only care about Fleet Foes because MMJ went off the deep end - get back to me when you get over Neil and can write better lyrics, and Campesinos? they have one decent song, maybe, and are one of the worst live bands I’ve seen.
AC however, I have seen 4 times, and 3 of them were A-mazing. They’ve been putting out fantastic albums since ‘here comes an indian,’ and you list three bands that weren’t even together when than record came out. Get over your flavor of the month BS and get back to me when you re-listen to anything AC or Panda Bear.
@2ironic4u: really? because im pretty sure posting an almost identical comment on at least two different animal collective posts in one week is the most self-indulgent thing ive seen…
@dripdrip: To the contrary, Los Campesinos! are one of the best live bands i’ve ever seen (and i’ve seen Lightning Bolt twice). And what’s this business about MMJ going off the deep end? I understand Evil Urges is no It Still Moves, but it’s still a good record.
if you have heard reverend green and still dislike animal collective.. there is something wrong with you. this track alone makes this band worth hearing..