Holy shit. So trippy.
If I had to sum up Animal Collective in one word, it would be "weird." They sound, look, taste, smell, feel
weird. This has always been. Their latest release, however,
Merriweather Post Pavilion, released officially in the States yesterday, is a little less
weird than its discography-mates. Is this good or bad? Oh. It's very, very good. So good, in fact, that I have already given it my #1 spot for Alina's Top 9 Albums of 2009. And it's not even February yet.
Now, what is it that makes
Merriweather such pure musical enjoyment? Animal Collective has always been
good (
Sung Tongs and
Strawberry Jam are favorites), but their newest release is simply
great. Every song is just... great. When I first listened to Animal Collective, I remember being overwhelmed by the weirdness of the sound. The stream of thoughts circulating around my head went a little something like, "What the fuck... Ah! What was that! What the fuck..." My thought process upon listening to
Merriweather for the first time was much more peaceful: "Oh God, this is awesome." Is it because I've
been listening to AC and simply become accustomed to their musical antics and inclination toward strange sounds? I really don't think that's it. I truly believe that, with their latest release, they struck some chord with the overall listening public. They've whittled down their music to its purest form and focused their energies on creating an impact.
That impact was largely due to the striking lyrical repetition and quality of their new music. Have you seen
Good Will Hunting? Remember the scene where Robin Williams and Matt Damon are alone in the office, and Robin just keeps on saying to Matt, "It's not your fault." For those of you who don't remember, it went a little something like:
ROBIN: It's not your fault.
MATT: Oh, man, I know.
ROBIN: It's not your fault.
MATT: ... I said I know... I know.
ROBIN:
(getting a little closer) It's not your fault.
MATT: I know! I know! I know! (
weeps in ROBIN
's arms)
This perfectly mirrors my experience with "Also Frightened."
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE: Are you also frightened?
ALINA: Mm... good song, man...
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE: Are you also frightened?
ALINA: Wow, this is like, really ambient and shit. Good song...
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE: Are you also frightened?
ALINA: Hmm... what... is this... emotion... I am beginning to feel...
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE: Are you also frightened?
ALINA: (
in tears) Yes, I am! I am also frightened!
For real. Whereas before, Animal Collective did a lot more of the "ooOOOooh.. aaAAAah... Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah" as vocals (listen to "
Leaf House"), now they've exhibited this poetic sincerity that is unmistakingly
beautiful. And
like-able. And only a little bit
weird.
mp3
My Girlsmp3
Also Frightenedmp3
Lion In A Coma