Listening to Animal Collective is like peering into a kaleidoscope. Initially you are met with a chaotic heady rush of colour and movement, but if you look more carefully, symmetry and cohesion gradually become apparent; a complex mass of mirrors angled precisely, each one playing their part in refracting the light.

In the past, Animal Collective have occasionally been unpalatable – too many sounds and too many influences shrouding their obvious talent. On previous records the music controlled the Collective, but now they are firmly in control of their sound, manipulating it perfectly. That is not to say they have lost their sense of freedom or experimentalism, simply that they have mastered their own creativity and have discovered what works through a glorious process of trial and error.

Some albums are simply a series of tracks grouped together, while others work as a seamless whole so you are barely conscious of one track ending and the next beginning but occasionally become aware of a shift in tone or tempo. Merriweather Post Pavilion belongs to the latter category so it seems reductive to isolate particular tracks. However, Summertime Clothes cannot go unsung; its hypnotic rhythm draws you in and holds you there for the full four and a half minutes. There’s no use resisting, multitasking is not an option in the presence of this track. Stop. Listen. Cherish.

Bluish is a thing of wonder and beauty with more delicate layers than a prize-winning onion. Elsewhere, Merriweather has more in common with Panda Bear’s solo album Person Pitch than it does with the Collective’s collaborative back catalogue. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the two closing tracks, No More Runnin’ and Brother Sport.

To make a bold statement – Merriweather Post Pavilion is Animal Collective’s best work. It signals a new level of craftsmanship. This is an album to revisit in the summer months; it dissolves winter and warms the stoniest of hearts. It is a joyous, echoing, captivating, important, pulsating, breathtaking beast of an album.

Release date: 20/01/09 (US); 12/01/09 (UK)
Artist website: www.myanimalhome.net
Label: Domino

Comments:

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion - Review 2 ianc21    February 9th, 2009 - 12:00 PM I'm actually quite suprised that this record has been getting such rave reviews everywhere. Its quite decent, but by no means a solid album throughout and a few tracks are just plain annoying. 'Strawberry Jam' was better and more consistent i reckon.

Re: Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion - Review 2 atomiklust    February 9th, 2009 - 6:38 PM see, i really can't get used to the sound on Strawberry Jam. it's too brash. MPP is better for that, but i'm not sure about the songs. Oh well

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