Being surrounded by fan pressure in anticipation for a new release, and hearing pleas for an appearance in hometowns can usually lead a band into producing an album just to give fans what they want. But in Animal Collective’s case their 2009 release, “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” satisfied the eager cravings of their following while continuing to broaden their limitless capabilities.
Impatient fans were able to torrent the precious files when the album leaked on Christmas, but on Jan. 6, “Merriweather Post Pavillion” was released on vinyl to a high-demanding audience.
When the needle hits the vinyl, the opening track, “In the Flowers,” resounds familiar, airy sounds. But the speculative tone has you on edge asking, “What’s going to happen?” When Panda Bear’s (Noah Lennox’s) voice trickles in and is followed by a sudden driving outburst, you know this album is going to be different.
“My Girls,” the first single of the album, follows with a building electronic line that makes you feel like you are twirling underwater. The bubbly sounds then organize into a steady beat as the voices layer and echo. You cannot help but move as it breaks into the chorus, dropping the percussion and chanting, “I don’t mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status, I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls.” As the chorus repeats, the percussion hits, picking up into a groovy dance break that is sure to satisfy the still dancing, post-MGMT era.
The album continues with an overall energetic tone, as charming tracks like “Summertime Clothes” and “Daily Routine” have you feeling good and digging the record more and more as it streams on.
The sixth track, “Bluish,” carries a more romantic tone with a dream-like introduction and lyrics like, “I’m getting lost in your curls,” and, “Some kind of magic in the way you’re lying there.”
The last two tracks wrap up the album in an interesting way, with a major tempo shift to “No More Running” from the song previous. The 10th track, though slow, is still as eclectic as ever, using layers of sound reminiscent of the slower tracks on Animal Collective’s 2005 album, “Feels.” The final track, “Brother Sport,” is a powerful ending song that leaves listeners with the message, “support your brother.”
Animal Collective should be applauded for producing consistently good records, from 2000 with their critically acclaimed first album, “Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’re Vanished,” to “Merriweather,” which received a 9.6 review from Pitchforkmedia.com.
Buzz from this record has resulted in a full-blown tour, with dates across the United States and abroad. L.A. fans, having been disappointed with illness-induced cancellations in January, will finally have their peace at the re-scheduled shows Feb. 26 and 27.
Animal Collective has managed to evolve, churning out records that showcase their progression as a collective, while keeping the same mysterious vibe with their nicknames (Avey Tare, Panda Bear and Geologist) and “how do you do it?” questions about their music. This album is steadier, lighter, and, as overheard from fan Curtis Craig, “the album we always wished they would make.”
