Animal Collective have brought the celestial down to earth with each record, but they've never sounded simultaneously otherworldly and approachable quite like they do on Merriweather Post Pavilion. Their eighth studio LP, it finds them at their best -- straining farther away from conventional song structure and accompaniment, even while doubling back to reach lyrical themes and modes of singing at their most basic or child-like. Where before AC expertly inserted experimental snippets into relatively straight-ahead songs, Merriweather Post Pavilion sees them reach some kind of denouement where pop music ends and pure sonic experience begins -- the sound is the only structure. Dismantling the framework of a pop song almost entirely (but using recurring passages in a very poppy way), the group offer a series of overlapping circular elements, all of which occasionally come together for a chorus but then break apart just as quickly. The music itself, at least what's describable about it, consists of deep bass pulses and art-damaged guitars with overlapping vocal harmonies that rise in a holy chorus. This may sound much like previous Animal Collective highlights, but where those records seemed like a series of accidental masterpieces -- the type of work that sounds brilliant only because it's been culled from hundreds of hours of tape -- Merriweather Post Pavilion is a perfectly organized record, not a note out of place, not a second wasted. It has the excitement and energy of Sung Tongs, the ragged sonic glory of Feels, and Strawberry Jam's ability to make separate parts come together in a glorious whole. Like the best experimental rockers surging toward nirvana -- from the Beach Boys to Mercury Rev -- Animal Collective have not only created a private soundworld like none other, they've also made it an inviting place to visit.
I don't sit down with the intention of doing posts longer than a paragraph very often, but I've got a couple things on my mind. 1) I don't enjoy writing structured reviews. 2) The new Animal Collective Album is great. 1) I've written a good amount of reviews in my lifetime. I've written for other music websites in the past, and it's just not fun for me. I don't like worrying about format. I...
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Animal Collective (AC) albums are impossible to review. Not to bang the ultimate cop-out drum, but it's true. If you've heard their music, you have an opinion and (really) you don't care what I'm about to say. Those of you that love 'em will continue to love 'em. Those [...]
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via Animal CollectiveI 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 quali...
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Ama Chana is lucky enough to get a sneak preview listen of the highly anticipated new Animal Collective album... he MAY have soiled himself in anticipation, but don't hold it against him...
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[confirmed album art] Animal Collective did not play at Harlem's River Room Tuesday, but an intimate audience of about 150 devoted fans, including myself, broken up into two sessions had the opportunity to hear Merriweather Post Pavilion in its entirety. To do away with the basic facts, this is AC's ninth album, Deakin is still on hiatus and the LP is due January 20th on CD, double LP and di...
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Looks like Animal Collective will host a listening party for Merriweather Post Pavilion next Tuesday night in New York . RSVP required. Someone go and let us know if this guy's review is accurate. mp3: animal collective :: brothersport (live on npr) ******************************************
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Did summer really pass by that quickly? It seems like only yesterday we were walking outside in short sleeves for first time all year, and now it's already time to break out the sweaters. Before we do, though, we'd like to give one last musical salute to beach season. Check out some of the songs that helped define our summer below. Animal Collective, "Summertime Clothes"While Animal Collecti...
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Animal Collective are set to release a new single off their latest album, ‘Merriweather Post Pavillion‘, later this year.The band have chosen Merriweather track, “Brother Sport” as the new single, due out December 8.The single will be released in a 10″ format (digital release also likely) via Domino Records and will feature “Brother Sport” as well as live B-side, “Bleeding“.Anima
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So the new Animal Collective album 'Merriweather Post Pavillion' leaked and I acquired a copy of the album. Listened to it last night & this evening. It's a really great album. Quite a bit of it reminds me of choral music. I can't even pinpoint their influences on this album. But it sounds quite a bit different from their previous toons that I've heard. This album is more electronic.Here's 'Tas...
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Have you ever experienced the kind of nonsense that makes sense? Sure you have. This album is full of that particular kind of nonsensical stuff. Take the title, Merriweather Post Pavilion, named after the Frank Gehry-designed performance arena in Maryland. What's that about? Either way I'm enjoying this evolved Animal Collective. There are some tracks I favor over others, but that happens. Th...
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I have no idea what happens to the keyboard pounders and electronic equipment twiddlers at the end of this video but its absolutely tripping me out.
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Open up your, open up your, open up your throat.
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Fast becoming the "I Kissed A Girl" of the early month(s) of 2009, Animal Collective's lead single from the upcoming we-guess-masterpiece Merriweather Post Pavilion, "My Girls" is yet again remixed by the dudes in Mexicans With Guns, a ragtag bunch...
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Animal Collective played the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. last night and lucky enough, NPR recorded the full concert. Amongst the tracks played was a new tune called “Bleed”. Check it out below:MP3: Animal Collective - “Bleed”Last night’s setlist:Chocolate GirlSummertime ClothesGuys EyesWhat Would I Want SkyComfy In NauticaMy GirlsSlippiDaily RoutineBleed (New Song)FireworksEncore:Bansh
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Animal Collective will be putting out a 10″ single for Merriweather Post Pavilion's bouncing track "Brother Sport" The vinyl only release will feature the aforementioned live track "Bleeding" and will hit the streets November 9 via Domino.EDIT It also looks as if the band are planning on releasing a new EP entitled Fall [...]
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I know this album leaked like forever ago (OK, a week ago), and live versions of this track have been floating around for a minute, BUT…I hadn't yet taken the time to track down anything off of Animal Collective's latest album Merriweather Post Pavilion, and was definitely going to wait for the digital release on [...]
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Like I said before, the new Animal Collective album is sick. Definitely lives up to the hype. I can't wait to get into more. Here's the first music video from the album and the mp3.Animal Collective - My GirlsPigeonsandPlanes
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[click for larger image] As reported last week, Animal Collective 's Merriweather Post Pavilion will be released early on deluxe 2xLP 180 gram gatefold vinyl, with full album download, on January 6th, 2009 in North America. This is possibly our most anticipated release of 2K9, so we're pretty psyched that Domino asked us to present the official Dallas release party for the record, which wi...
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If you've been hunting for that new Animal Collective song "My Girls" that leaked today, you might be able to find it here . I take no responsibility for any injuries you may incur. IGIF can't be held accountable for that shit.
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As you might imagine, this year's list of albums up for Uncut's Music Award are pretty conservative, but have a couple of real gems...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 In the Flowers |
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| 2 My Girls |
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| 3 Also Frightened |
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| 4 Summertime Clothes |
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| 5 Daily Routine |
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| 6 Bluish |
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| 7 Guys Eyes |
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| 8 Taste |
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| 9 Lion in a Coma |
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| 10 No More Runnin |
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| 11 Brother Sport |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Merriweather Post Pavilion")
