Transmit09002: Merriweather Post Pavilions

Animal Collective performing “Summertime Clothes” on Letterman this past Thursday, May 7

I didn’t really get Animal Collective’s last album when it came out back in 2007. Generally, I’m into unconventional, experimental music, not solely by any means, but I appreciate it much of the time.  Animal Collective came with a lot of hype, so I was very open-minded about them, over-optimistic I think, but the album just wasn’t connecting with me.  Same with Panda Bear’s solo album, Person Pitch, which followed later in the year and earned him the honor of “Album of the Year” from Pitchfork.  But as 2008 began, for no reason more than the support of Jim Cunningham’s son Jim, I kept listening and grew to like Person Pitch more with each listen. This still wasn’t the case with the full band Animal Collective stuff.

When Merriweather Post Pavilion came out this past January, I was ready to give it a shot, though skeptically.  The elements were there again – instrumental chaos, wild vocals, effects washing over everything – but things were immediately seeming a little more accessible, a little more comfortable.  The songs on the album are structured more tightly than those in the past.  A lot of them even have choruses, damn catchy ones.  The instrumentation is more organized but no less challenging or rewarding for it.  In the middle of the album-closing “Brother Sport,” Animal Collective creates an acceleratingly chaotic and disorienting musical atmosphere for a minute or two before resolving into one final triumphantly conclusive chorus.  A great way to end this album, tension-and-release is a musical device that has long been a favorite of mine when executed properly, and when it connects, the moment is just right.

Now that I’ve gone back and listened to Animal Collective’s older material, I can say that Merriweather Post Pavilion appears to be their first foray into mainstream appeal, but at the same time, feels natural as part of their progression. It’s definitely opened me up to their older stuff, much of which I didn’t really dig before.  A lot of it’s incredible though, and better than Merriweather, like the song “Banshee Beat” off of Feels - listen to and read the video below and see what you think.  In recommending to me this mellower of Animal Collective tracks, the wise Drew Pennebaker said something to the effect of, “I love them, but on a song by song basis,” a sentiment with which I now strongly concur.  On Merriweather Post Pavilion, there are more than a few moments that are just right, and its unquestionable that with this album Animal Collective are taking the chance of appealing to a much broader audience.  While there are a couple more albums this year that are trailing very closely behind, so far this one’s my favorite, mostly.    

“Banshee Beat” off of 2005′s Feels

In barely related news, my ticket for Phish’s 8/15 show at Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion has arrived: 12th row, stage Fishman.

Current Listening: Two Suns by Bat For Lashes