Comments on: Animal Collective :: Merriweather Post Pavilion

By: dnice

dnice — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:45:58 +0000

i want to like it. i really do. there’s something about it that’s new and energizing even if they sound like The Beach Boys. And yet, they do boggle the mind a bit. In some ways they are very simple, and yet the odd rhythms and time signatures throw me a bit.

i like the album and will listen occasionally, but it won’t be on my heavy rotation. I respect it though.

By: MK

MK — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:44:03 +0000

What a beautifully written and well-conceived “review.” Closing it out with a David Byrne lyric was perfect.

By: stevedomino

stevedomino — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:02:44 +0000

i’m with Marty – dipped a toe into the AC with ‘Sung Tongs’ (easy to like, less so to love), picked up the scent with ‘Person Pitch’ and have been loving ‘MwPP’ – precisely because i can’t describe it (i can’t do that “‘artist a’ meets ‘artist b’ in weimar-era berlin on speed”-thing with it) but also because it’s about growing, settling down, seeing what’s real, etc – it’s a sister to ‘sounds of silver’ in that way – that sounded like the book of moses for thirty-somethings to me!

By: Funky Rutabaga

Funky Rutabaga — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:51:55 +0000

After listening to part of A.C. Newman’s new atrocity (I was appalled – I know he can perform at a more advanced level), the recurring thought of listening to Merriweather Post Pavillion is better than anticipated.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:16:05 +0000

I have tried to enjoy past Animal Collective albums, but I never could find what was so great about them. The music was just too damn BUSY. MPP is different. I liked it almost immediately. This album has actual hooks and melody. The melodies are subtle and sometimes slightly hidden behind layers, but they are there. This time the hype is real, and I can see a possible Kid A-type of success with MPP. That is to say, its good enough to be viewed historically as a groundbreaking record while enjoying some commercial success.

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Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:12:47 +0000

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By: Funky Rutabaga

Funky Rutabaga — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:19:16 +0000

After fully listening to the tracks I have of Merriweather Post Pavillion, I can conclude this: while I enjoyed it, the momentum did not appear to build. Not to say it wasn’t enjoyable, but the 9.6 it garnered from Pitchfork (maybe they messed up the score with Antony’s new album or Bon Iver’s new EP) does not seem deserved. My rating – 8/10. While better than solid, it lacks a certain element of momentum and cohesiveness. Definitely worth a listen, as it transcends genres.

If you are looking for a band that will produce a record that deserves its rating on Pitchfork, wait for Wavves’s new album. They are the Women of 2009, wonderfully lo-fi indie rock. I would give them (unlike Animal Collective) at least at 9.6/10, if not 10/10.

By: Marty

Marty — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:29:26 +0000

Nick and Ant –

I understand your frustration with Animal Collective, particularly because I myself actively hated them until Panda Bear’s more recent solo record came out and served as a sort-of key to his group’s work for me. That being said, what I appreciate specifically about them is something that I think frustrates many people — they are exceptionally hard to understand. As a music critic, I’m constantly in a state of trying to understand music. Rendering music — a largely sensual, nonrational cultural good — through the intellect is a large temptation for me, and it wasn’t until I gave up trying to understand Animal Collective that I began to enjoy them.

Thanks for your comments, though, and happy listening!

By: Ant

Ant — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:25:56 +0000

This band is so over-hyped! I don’t get them either. I think people like them because they are practically told to (no offense Aquarium, I love you). They must have a great publicist. They do have a great publicist.

By: nick bahula

nick bahula — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:20:46 +0000

I still don’t get it. I’ve tried and tried to hear what people are saying. It still only sounds like 7 different songs being played at the same time. Like a failed Flaming Lips test.

By: Woody

Woody — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:21:32 +0000

I still can’t get into them, despite numerous tries. That being said, that is an excellent review, absent all the mindless fawning.

By: Cheap

Cheap — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:09:07 +0000

This album has several good tracks, but I think it could be better…

By: Funky Rutabaga

Funky Rutabaga — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:59:47 +0000

I am currently listening to Merriweather Post Pavillion. I am immenly amazed. Merriweather Post Pavillion (in addition to Antony’s Crying Light and Bon Iver’s Blood Bank EP) is one of my most anticipated releases of the year. On Merriweather Post Pavillion, Animal Collective transcends multiple boundaries and massacres the term genre – with subtle influences of indie rock, electronica, and what not. Since today begins a new United States (Obama is the best thing to happen in years – a needed change to represent the voice of real people), let us begin a new chapter in music (no, I do not want indie rock to become obsolete – I’m a big fan, but I do want mainstream music to disappear).

By: cody

cody — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:22:51 +0000

I do enjoy the album a lot, however I find it one step below Strawberry Jam. This album is a little too-Panda Bear influenced. It doesn’t have the overall tenacity which gives Animal Collective the “animalness” about them. Sure there are moments of absolute brilliance, Summertime Clothes, Lion In a Coma, Brothersport, and My Girls are testament to that. But this album has one too many summery tracks for me.