Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Groovy. Cool. Weird.
Not for me
has some good bits, some bad and a lotta mid
I really liked this record. It reminded me very much of Brian Eno.
Psychedeliv Pop. Witzig zu hören. 4/5
This is a cool album. So much of the rock from this era sounds so stagnant now, but this album still feels fresh. Great mix of psychedelic rock infused with a lot of more modern elements, like sampling. The place where Animal Collective really shines is the vocal harmonies. The vocals are layered so beautifully, and they bring a lot of life to the lyrics that the wouldn't have if sung by a single vocalist 4/5
Not bad per se, just way too wall of noise/over production for my taste. Have no idea why this has so many accolades, especially considering how much else came out in 2009.
Good album.
Ehhhh, really not for me. I listened to the whole album in one continuous go, and it was rather boring and repetitive without having any strong standouts.
This is truly one of the most overrated albums of all time. Every few years I listen to it again to see if I missed something the previous time. I mean, it’s one of THE music nerd albums, but it was my listen of it for this review that solidifies it as purely mediocre for me. Every song far overstays its welcome, and when you have very repetitive ideas and meandering sounds, it becomes a slog to get through by the halfway point. I really don’t understand the hype for this album, AnCo has way better
This one is going to the dungeon. The first song almost tricked me that this might be alright, then my girls came on and it's all down from there. Cool, you want house, really makes you think. Will I listen to again: 0%
This album irritates me. It's weird, I know, but the urge to skip this was immense.
Groupe inconnu. Je trouve les sons intéressants, ils me rappellent parfois Tangerine dream. Par contre les morceaux sont un peu longs et très peu variés. Au final, album pas très passionnant mais pas désagréable. =>2/5
This album has two fans, people who abuse psychedelics and hipsters with a superiority complex who pretend to like this shit to seem unique and cool. You know that old wives tale about your cousins mate who did too much acid and fried his brain into permanently thinking he's an orange? This is what I imagine was playing during that dudes trip, and not in a good way. Summertime Clothes is the only enjoyable song on the album, I came back to listen a second time for that song (it's actually good) - but it doesn't redeem the rest of the album, which is tainted, annoying, uninspired, hipster garbage. Standout awful tracks include: Daily Routine, where I thought I was actually enjoying the song until it just suddenly turned into 2 minutes of dumb noise effects. Just end the song dude. Taste, where the singer decides to repeat the same thing for over 30% of the song. Yeah sick dude we get it. Brother Sport, where I couldn't even understand what the fuck the vocalist was saying, it sounded like a completely different language. This album doesn't need to be an hour, most of the songs runtime on this thing are littered with repeating vocals or annoying long drawn synths that go on for ages. It was a dread listening to this and I hope I never have to be subjected to it ever again.
I sure am glad I didn't write this one off due to its adoration from the music section of a certain Cantonese cave painting forum. This whole thing was a pretty cool trip to be honest. My first listen was a total trippy breeze, a lot of the tracks felt like they naturally segue from one song to another. This felt like a coming of age story in the way things move. Smaller tracks would set the ambiance for different stages of life, bridging the way to the bigger and more bombastic tracks being our fondest memories we hold onto. This was a nice contrast to how many of these albums we have been given so far which feel front-loaded with the best of the album before waning in quality as it goes along. The opening track feels like the beginning of life, especially with the distant fleshy pulsating in the back of the opening, before making its way into the calm but uncertain times of a child. These first 3 tracks gave an odd sinking feeling at times. Summertime Clothes by contrast is this ecstatic burst of joy, an anthem of the good times in life, the feeling continues across the next few tracks but slowly wanes away as the tracks took on a more somber tone. Feeling like either the end of a night of celebration or even the joys of childhood & adolescence being dulled away by the mundane routine of adulthood. Brother Sport brought back the joy of earlier tracks, and as the final song feels like it is the start of something new. On top of finding fun in the albums structure, and I will probably prefer to listen to the full album whenever I put this on again in the future. There are plenty of individual songs in this that were just really good. I definitely meshed better with the psychedelic stylings on this rather than what was presented in 'Forever Changes' a few days ago. If I had to nitpick anything it would be that a few of the last tracks before Brother Sport were not as good, and that some of the line delivery in a few songs where it was purposefully stilted didn't land with me. I'm really glad to have finally found something new in this list that I will definitely come back to in the future. Favourite Tracks - Summertime Clothes - Bluish - In The Flowers
My Girls - kaleidoscopic, loved it Also Frightened - instrumentals are awesome and wouldn't be out of place in the Hotline Miami cutscenes, vocals are really yucky. The vocalist is like if my aunty told me at a family event that my annoying cousin moved overseas to sing and make music and I should checkout his first song. This is the vocals of that song. Gave this one a second go, vocals aren't that bad but not as good as others on the album. Summertime - I really like this one, vocals and instrumentals are both great. Bluish - I really liked this spacey one. It all came together, instrumentals and vocals, very nice. Guys Eyes - really creative instrumentals and sounds that actually sounded pleasant. Kind of an epic track all put together, really impressive. Taste - like this one a lot. Everything on point, enjoyed the lyrics, vocals and instrumentals. The jingle bells added a lot Lion in a coma - chaotic and unique in a cool and fun way. Liked the oingo bingo instrument throughout sounds great. Might have been a didgeridoo too but that was a nice addition No more runnin - loved the instrumentals and vocals on this. Very spacey and chill. Brother sport - very frenetic energy. Very dense with stuff going on I'm the middle and comes together at the end in a satisfying way. Overall a great album, lots of variety every which way. I can't think of a track that really misses, but there are plenty of hits. I've listened to this album a few times now, it's damn good and gets better each time
i was recommended this album many many moons ago on an ancient chinese basket weaving forum and at the time it changed my life. i thought man, i must be the only white boy that likes such a cool, experimental and refreshing take on the pop genre. what a fool i was. anyway even if i dont really enjoy listening to this album anymore (probably a matter of fatigue) i still have to give it a good review. pretty undeniably a foundation in the blending of experimental electronic and pop into what has become mainstream electro and hyper pop hits like brat. thats right guys the /mu/ mpp pipeline resulted in brat summer and you can't convince me otherwise. lots of bangers. my girls, daily routine, summertime clothes, taste. im a sucker for good synths and those tracks all have great synths on them. these days i think id rather listen to experimental or pop, and strawberry jam is probably my favorite release by am over mpp, but this is still good nonetheless. i was teetering on a 3 just because ive overlistened to this album so much but thats probably a little too subjective for such a good release.
Why the fuck this adventure time background soundtrack ass music got me cryin in the club
This is by far, easily the album I've enjoyed the most reviewing so far. I have never heard of Animal Collective and certainly not this album, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I put the first track on. Initially, the long introduction on "In The Flowers" had me really aprehensive. I thought maybe it was going to be another shitty british rock band trying to have a cool long intro on there first track before breaking into Regatta De Blanc levels of terrible, but boy was I wrong. I love the use of drums, claps, rimshots and other percussion, ethereal sweeping synths, the plucking chords. The vocals are great, however I must admit that I'm not really able to recall a single lyric. I found that they were much more like an instrument then they were used for conveying story or ideas. That could be a bad take, but they blended in with the other sounds so seamlessly that the lyrics seemed not as important. I was an incredibly big fan of songs that started and slowly built into something bigger and more majestic like "My Girls" (one of my favourite song of the album). "Daily Routine" is just majestically beautiful, especially the second half where the vocals are just floating in this cosmic soup of undulating and progressing chords and negative space. It felt like I was travelling through time and space at lightspeed, but in slow motion at the same time. It truly is an amazing piece of music. I was very pleasantly surprised by the start of Guys Eyes where a more traditional dadrock-esque guitar and drum sound is used, which was a nice departure from the rest of the album so far. It naturally progressed to rely on this less, but still a nice change of pace. I was not a huge fan of Bluish or Lions in a Coma, but even these songs were able to change and evolve at the end into something that I enjoyed more. I couldn't quite pick what genre this band is. All I can think is they sound like Pink Floyd if they had access to modern synth equipment and just a dumptruck of acid. There are definitely some great songs on here that I will be listening to again. If I could, I'd give this album 4.5/5, but instead I'll just give it a 4.
A masterpiece in all aspects except for the fact its slightly overproduced. Been listening to this for years but it's never had that spark of pushing it to be a 10. 9/10 Fav tracks - all of 'em
So this one was fun. I enjoyed it, wasn't my go to in terms of taste and kinda had this annoying bit to it idk how to describe, You know how with some of the other albums they've had this like mixing that just feels off? It has it hear but its not shit? Hard one this, didn't hate it, wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it but didn't mind having to listen to it. 3/5.
I have seen this album plenty of times on /mu/ and other music discussion pages and formed an opinion without having listened to it. I thought it would be music for wankers (please see my review of arctic monkeys for my inability to enjoy things). In The Flowers is a great opening track, really hooked me in on a first listen and remained fresh on a repeat listen. This track set very expectations for the rest of the album. My Girls is great on an instrumental level, but the lyrics can make the song pretty repetitive, it's a fine track but it can get a little grating, specifically the 'social standing' line. Skipped on a repeat listen when I realised what song I was on. Also Frightened is also a repetitive song but I enjoyed this one more, it's a groovy track, just as good on a second listen. Summertime Clothes is a banger. Sounds like a marching band forcing you to have a good time. On a repeat listen I went back to listen to this a few more times, it's a very fun track. Daily Routine is probably my favourite song on this album. One of those songs that totally changes what its doing halfway through. I have gone out of my way outside of album listens to put this song on. I really enjoy the long, drawn-out soundscape of the second half of this song that really shows off Animal Collective's skill as producers. Bluish is a fun track but a little forgettable, on a repeat listen I forgot that I had heard this song before. Guys Eyes was a not my cup of tea on a first listen with its multiple vocal tracks playing over eachother, but I enjoyed it a lot more on a repeat listen. Taste is another that I tuned out of on my first listen but appreciated much more on a repeat listen. Lion In A Coma I remember well from my first listen for its annoying fucking jaw harp at the opening leading into mumble-mouthed vocals. Honestly the first minute or so of this song is annoying as shit and feels overproduced. Around 40-45 seconds in there's this annoying vocal effect which sounds like those "erm what the glorp" alien cat memes on twitter. Unfortunately the annoying production continues. This No More Runnin is a very welcome slower track after Lion In A Coma. This song is to Merriweather Post Pavilion what Caroline, No is to Pet Sounds for me. On a repeat listen this felt very cathartic especially after resisting the urge to skip the previous song. Something about Brother Sport rubs me the wrong way. Both on my first listen and on repeat listens, this song sounds like it laid the groundwork for the boom-clap, feel-good, advertiser friendly musical scourge of the 2010s (Mumford and Sons etc.). Credit to Animal Collective for what is a funky track with interesting production and arrangement but this song feels to me like a sign of the evil that is to come. Reading about this album and this band inbetween listens the inspiration of Brian Wilson and albums like Pet Sounds and Smile is very clear in the tone and production style of Merriweather Post Pavilion. Despite how harsh I was on a few songs on this album, they are still listenable and enjoyable (except Lion In A Coma). I am a big fan of this album and I'm hoping the rest of Animal Collective's catalogue is as adventurous.
Gosh, I'm having a nice slew of some of the keystone albums of my youth lately. I absolutely love Animal Collective, this album is just incredible. In the Flowers is one of my all time favorite songs. I'll never forget the first time I heard it. When that climax hit, I swear I went to outer space. So many undulating layers in this song that just make you feel like you're floating in water, then you get that masterfully crafted climax. I've heard this song so many damn times but it still gives me chills every time I hear it. The way the synth and percussion play together in this bit just gets me every time. Then it just kind of trickles away and transitions into the immaculate layering of vocals and synths in My Girls (which has an amazing music video that I always seem to play it in my mind when I hear the song). And then it just continues on this way for the rest of the album, it just onto the next and the next like water and it's all wonderful. Also I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the absolutely perfect album art. Such a special album that will always make me think of my freshman year of college. From beginning to end, this album is such an incredibly fun journey. Still on my bucket list to see these guys live, the stars just haven't aligned for me in that regard. Gotta hold out hope for that 20 year MPP anniversary which will be here before we know it. And my brain just wobbled after typing that, how has it already been 15 years since this came out, what on earth??
2.5/5 I find the vocals annoying, and the instrumentals are quite uninteresting. Some sections are great, but they are so surrounded by repetitive mediocrity they cannot be really enjoyed. It's never good when I don't feel like the music is going anywhere, and that's a common feeling while listening. Real struggle getting through this album. In The Flowers 2.5/5 My Girls 2/5 Also Frightened 3/5 Summertime Clothes 2.5/5 Daily Routine 2/5 Bluish 4/5 Guys Eyes 2.5/5 Taste 2/5 Lion in a Coma 1.5/5 (LEAST FAV) No More Runnin 4/5 (FAV) Brother Sport 2/5
1,5
Not a bit fan of pop music or experimental sound, so this was a pretty big miss for me.
A pleasant surprise. I could listen to this regularly. Gentle ambiance.
Strange and electric.
I was initially unimpressed with this album. The first 3 songs didn’t grab me. But then Summertime Clothes came in and I started feeling it. The rest of the album flowed by and while not something I love, was enjoyable enough. Pretty good!
idk why the rating so low. this is great sober and probably life changing high. Me and the hatman finna get turnt to this shit i jus gotta pop 12 benedryls first. this album is for realer geekers ONLY
My Girls // Summertime Clothes // Bluish // No More Runnin // Brother Sport 3.5/5
Millennials really cooked with this one.
There are no songs on here that I want to ever hear again. 1 star or F.
It’s one of my faves and the production and songwriting and lyrics r just a one. Also love their voices
only complaint is vocals too quiet sometimes but damn this is a great album
Very energetic! Sounds like something I’d hear at a rave.
# 288 : Wow! Trippy Album Cover Art! As for the music, I could listen to it, but it left a lot to be desired. Creative? Maybe, but it falls flat for me, an album you listen to and immediately forget… Fave Track ; Lion In A Coma
Favorite Track: My Girls
I have the sudden urge to tell that alt girl from high school who always ironically a ripped up Ramones shirt how I really feel about her. This one brings back a lot of memories for me. This album encapsulates the sound of indie music for an entire decade in the 2010s and this band is one of the early most pioneers. I think this album falls into the same trap that a lot of synth lords from the 80s do though- a cool new technology comes out and they keep hammering that button without really innovating too far beyond using it in the first place. As a result the sound is cool and new but after 30 mins it gets old pretty quick.
Decent, but a bit samey
The absolute worst of late 2000s whinge pop
This was my least favorite Animal Collective album for a real long time (I'd been on board since Sung Tongs and AC's trudge towards the mainstream coincided with my increasing snobbishness), but I think I was being stubborn.
I want to hate this album. My Girls is a fine single but I'm pretty toasted on it by having to live through college with it. This album feels very self important and up its own ass.
Experimental alternative/indie-pop that you can tell is from the mid to late 2000's. A unique album with each song being hit or miss for me.
A weird one. Lots of random noise I really didnt like But then a few of the songs I quite enjoyed. Can't rate it too high though because of the random noises, which is a shame 3 ⭐️
Lot of cool sounds and moments and I call tell it's influential, but a little annoying in some aspects
Cool album art and cool songs
Really enjoying this one, it is certainly alternative and probably divisive. I recognise "My Girls" from somewhere else, not sure where... I'm glad Iistened to this and will seek out some more Animal Collective.
Hmm… I don’t know about this. It’s not really my jam
3/5 - I never went in for this breathy reverb stuff. It was novel, then over saturated almost overnight.
Ah, yes. Music of the late aughts. The reverb is strong with this one. I think I’d enjoy this more if I was on a beach somewhere versus at work. There are some definite Beach Boys-esque layering of harmonies, which was nice. And the echo gives it a bit of a “soaring” feeling. But sitting in my office, it felt a bit cacophonous at times, with no standout melodies. I wish I could give 2.5. But since I can’t…
They’re most accessible. Still challenging
Experimental pop, reminiscent of Snowflakes Midnight by Mercury Rev, which was released just a few months earlier. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: My Girls Date listened: 07/07/24
Very goodd, misschien ooit wel een 5
Mid 2000s electronic alternative. Pretty good. I like the flow from one track to the next
Couldn't make it through this trash. I don't have time for this kind of shit. I could be listening to literally anything else. After having read a lot of the reviews by professional critics, I'm left wondering what "pop" music is, since this was considered some transformational experimental pop album. Zero catchy melodies, droning overstuffed instrumentation, and virtually monotone singing...this is pop? It's more appropriately described as semi-coherent noise; barely recognizable as music Fuck this album. 1.5
Jesus, when the first song kicks in... grimace. This is way too much. I fully expected this to be released in like 2020 something, as it feels like the kind of music I'm too old and out of touch to understand. I mean, I definitely am too old, the album cover alone is giving me a headache. But the music just doesn't make sense to me. I don't think it's clever to have random noises and time-signatures that make it feel completely disjointed. I don't understand it. I just don't understand! I want to round this up to 2 just so I don't have to look at this stupid album cover again on my user summary page, but I'm just too much of a professional dammit.
Oh.... no. Not for me. Really unpleasant and discordant.
Kept waiting for this album to coalesce into something clearer but it never did. I couldn't really enjoy the chaotic nature of the tracks, nothing seemed to stand out. A second listen through with my headphones in was definitely better but still only scraped this from a 2 to a 3 for me. I like indie-pop but this just didn't work for me.
didnt leave any impression
Too much of the same thing over and over. That “thing” is really good, but not eleven times in a row. There just isn’t enough range here, which is a shame because everything else here is so beautiful and feels like it had an incredible amount of thought that went into it. I’ll enjoy one of these if it happens to come on, but not the whole album. 3/5
Aah, I loved this at the time and then immediately forgot about it. it's still good, although somehow already seems a bit dated. My Girls has a good emotional heft, and there's plenty more great songs on here. A bit samey at times, but a worthy four.
animal collective is dope
Arguably the peak of AnCo's discography, MPP took their sound further than it had ever travelled before, but also made it the catchiest and most fun of any of their records. Some of the best indie bangers of the naughties on here.
I like the album art more than the album itself. Every time I heard this I feel like they shipped it with the drums accidentally muted. My soul yearns for percussion!
It’s funny to put this one along with the numerous other indie-psych-pop-whathaveyou records inexplicably included in this list, consider this is one I’ve been listening to since middle school! I was thinking that maybe my opinion on it has become milder, but nah, I still love every song on this! Great production, creative ways to connect the experimental side of AnCo to this more poppy sound. I am very biased with this one, but this is a megabanger
Vissa trevliga idéer men som ljudvärld lämnar det mig ganska kall. Ljudens textures hemsöks av erans dåliga smak
Not really my thing
Surprisingly good background music for working
Com o passar do tempo tudo tende para o minimalismo, a música inclusive. Acho que é unânime que a partir dos anos 2000 houve um aumento exponencial nas bandas de indie rock e mais géneros indies. Esta banda não é bem um indie rock, é uma mistura deste género com uma sonoridade espacial. Mas este álbum é todo tão parecido e chato, nada de muito interessante. Parece um álbum genérico honestamente. Estes álbuns não são cativantes para mim. Com tanta semelhança quanto mais fundo vamos no álbum, que é relativamente longo, tendo aproximadamente 55 minutos, toda a forma dele torna-se homogénea e indistinguível. A única música que realmente lembro-me, dai destaca-la, é o My Girls, mesmo ela não sendo muito boa. Nota: 3/10 Data: 09/07/2024
Great album! Reminds me of an updated beach boys
The layered vocals make this sound quite dated, even if the music isn't at all. I found it a bit boring. Stand-out: Bluish
I don’t get it.
I’m the flowers was a really strong way to start the album and I loved the spacey electronic sound it was going for. I really loved summertime clothes and the album finished well with brother sport. Overall very epic
This album sounds like they started a live show and then just kept sampling themselves into some weird oblivion by the end of it. This however, ended up not being something to get mad about. It is easy to start off critical about this album, but it wins the listener over, if not just from sheer curiosity. Most electronic music has this lazy vibe where the artist finds a groove, and then lives off it for several minutes. This album has elements of that, but in a progression reminiscent of Bolero, there is a constant building going on, enough to remain the same but enough new elements to keep it interesting. Electronic music tends to fall short of personality, and perhaps that is the draw behind it to go mindless and let 1s and 0s dictate the flow of one's life, however Animal Collective ups the game where Moby became stale. Taking a more pop approach, and putting a bit more thump into the electronica, Animal Collective in a way makes all these familiar sounds and their shortcomings into something unfamiliar, perhaps a bit fresh, a surprisingly approachable album.
I’m gonna term this as electroniprog. It’s all a bit wacky and the time signatures do whatever they want. It’s quite a nice sound - I like prog rock and I’ve tended to love some sides of the world of electronica. This makes for a fun trippy synthscape. The vocals are pleasant and the frequent call and return between members kept me engaged. This didn’t knock my teeth out, but I did enjoy it.
Another case of a cool sound for a big hit becoming massively tiresome across a whole album. Nerd core
In The Flowers - 6/10 too slow for me but good My Girls - Bit long, but I really like the vibe 8/10 Also Frightened - 8/10 Summertime Clothes - 9/10 really cool my favorite of the front half Daily Routine - 5/10 Bluish - 8/10 Guys Eyes - 7/10 Taste - 7/10 Lion In A Coma - 6/10 Funky No More Runnin - 6/10 Brother Sport - 8/10 Overall the album is pretty chill.
Glimmering and strikingly different, but also choppy and severely lacking in flow, though it does seem warm-hearted and joyous enough. It gets better (and easier on the ears and brain) the more it goes along. One finds it gets better on repeated listens ... which says one's not sure what about its overall quality. This album's influence has been considerable, apparently, but not necessarily to all positive effect. A begrudging 4 primarily for the ecstatic/orgiastic closing track.
When listening to the first track I was like "WOAH" and then by the end I was like "oh..."
Quirky, but good quirky.
Almost done listening, but so far I'm really enjoying it. Definetely more poppy and psych than i would normally listen to. Good walking music.
I don't like this as much as I would hope that I did. Part of it is that it's all very mushy sounding. I can't appreciate the dynamics because it's all kind of too compressed. That said, I appreciate what it's going for as an updated Brian Wilson wall of sound, and I'm gonna do a 3.5+. It might grow on me.
This is a tough one for me to rate. I really did not like this album at first. It's early tracks are borderline headache inducing as it is a lot of noise. Very loud/busy if you set your volume high enough to hear the vocals. But the more I listened to it the more appreciation I grew for it. The songs are very densely layered with various beats. Most of them have thrumming and dripping sounds which creates a very immersive, psychedelic feeling. If you let yourself zone out to this, it really can take you places in your mind space. I listened to this completely sober but I felt high listening to it. I can only imagine what an experience this album would be while tripping.
Oh boy oh boy. I've sort of been dreading this record since I found out it was on this list. Not because I dislike it, but because it has the cards stacked against it. Its status reflects that of "legendary," which I don't agree with. I've heard it often called "the millennial's Pet Sounds" and that's very unfortunate because regardless of whether or not it's trying to be, it is certainly not. But that's not to say it's bad by any means. It's actually a pretty fun, psychedelic soundscape pop record that influenced a lot of musicians to experiment and let go of traditional structure. But it's also a one-trick pony the doesn't feel very cohesive. By the time we're deep into its nearly hour-long runtime, the new things to discover have worn thin. There aren't many memorable melodies or dynamic high points that keep us invested, and the repetitiveness wares after a while. It's a good time, especially when you have your good friend Mary Jane to keep you company while listening, but it's far from a masterpiece.
Press play for pleasant flashbacks of formative psychedelic experiences.
Exciting at first, then kind of annoying
Not too bad. Had a good vibe, not sure I had to hear this before I died, but not complaining.
I'd heard "My Girls" before and it's a decent track. The rest of the album was fine but didn't grab me in particular.
I've struggled with Animal Collective in the past, but tried to listen to this with a fresh, open mind; but unfortunately the repetition, manic tempo yelping and layer of sounds on top of each other until they are almost incomprehensible reminds me too much of the voice in my head that is the source of my anxiety. So, even though I know the songs are largely upbeat amd joyous... it all just leaves me stretched thin and exhausted. I understand the appeal for others, but not for me.
You know those early days of meeting someone, where you're a bit scared but a bit giddy, and you're sharing all the things you like - music, food, random internet sites - and you're receptive to all the things this new, cool person is sharing with you, like beers you wouldn't typically drink, science fiction you wouldn't typically read, and weird, experimental bands you first tried to listen to back when all the music blogs were talking them up but you're pretty sure are a bit too avant garde for you. Only this time around, either through the lens of meeting this amazing person whose opinion you're rapidly finding yourself valuing, or because they ask you to listen to precisely the right gateway song (Summertime Clothes), you realize this weird experimental music is actually fun and exuberant and insanely creative. And maybe perfectly captures what it's like to walk around Capitol Hill on hot, humid nights, a bit giddy and a bit scared, but willing to give the whole love thing another try because how can you not?
You may have caught me on a bad day, animal collective, but I am offended by how mediocre and boring this is. I am a 2010s indie darling and this stuck me as the worst of the worst, middling, repetitive, and never ever building or leading toward a progression of a song. I remember hearing “my girls” because everyone did and it reminded me of why I never got into you back then - that’s it. That’s all there is. I imagine somehow these dorks said “we are avant garde beach boys” as they somehow took the worst of the beach boys and made it even more unpleasant by slapping some awful loops on top of endless echoing singing. How does every single song sound the same? I cannot imagine a single person on this earth identifying a single song and saying “that’s my favourite song of all time”. For me, there’s no heart, no soul. Just bland.
I managed to listen to it all the way through, but that's about the best I can say about it.
It was alright, kinda weird and slow, I remember enjoying animal collective more
This reminded me a lot Beach House, which I liked. Some of them weren't so much my bag but overall I thought this was decent and glad I heard it. Different. Will listen again
Could anything sound any more 2009 alt-indie? No it could not. I've never been a big fan of Animal Collective but always been aware of them. I guess I quite liked the album yeah. It was a bit samey and kinda felt like it was all coming off of one idea but not bad.
感觉就那样
Changes between good and... Noise
Meh felt like background music. Not my thing
My college roommate introduced me to this in 2009 and I hadn’t relistened for more than a decade. Love the maximalist sound, vocals, production. Very Phil Spector “wall of sound” vibes.
I think I could’ve died without listening to this album
Makes me think of Off the Air. Light, nonsensical, just pleasant.
Was into it til like 2/3rds through like okay I get it
Didn’t hate it!
If I was high in a college dorm, this would be the greatest album I’d ever heard. Alas, I am pushing 30 and making breakfast. Standout songs: My Girls, Summertime Clothes
A nice mix of Beach Boys harmonies and electronica that shouldn't work but really does.
Very repetitive
trippy lima beanss Put off this album for a while in anticipation of it appearing on this website, though I did recently get into Strawberry Jam (2007) by them, as odd and as noisy as it was. The cover is very fitting for the music: bright, psychedelic, if a little nauseating over time. I don't normally use that word for albums I like, ever, but today is an exception. "Brother Sport", the closing track, is a good example of where that tension comes from- beautiful Wilsonesque harmonies filtered through unpredictable, high frequency boops. It provides a distance between me, the listener, & the melody/bones of the song similarly to how the heavy distortion works in MBV's Loveless. Though ultimately, it IS smoother on the ears than Strawberry Jam, which helped "My Girls" blow up like it did. I'm not saying that makes it better, but it it does mean it comforts more than it ruffles me. It may be some hipster shit, but in the words of Gwen Stefani, "This my shit". HL: "My Girls", "Summertime Clothes", "Daily Routine", "Taste" May 23, 2024
En pitänyt ensimmäisestäkään biisistä tällä levyllä ja suurin osa painui ärsyttävän puolelle. Ehkä hyvien sienien ja esim. roadtripin kombinaatio nostaisi tämän levyn uudelle tasolle...
Melko joutolevy
Btec version of twenty one pilots
I’ve heard of Animal Collective, but never knew anything about them, or what they were about, but I’m so glad I came across this album. This is right up my alley.
Saw them live ages ago and didn't really know what I was listening to. In the Flowers starts quite slow but when it picks up it is awesome. My Girls is super fun. I wish more of their music was like this.
Hipster garbage. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Weird, not in a good way
pretty good idk about y'all
Who says avant garde can't also be fun? I get that Animal Collective may be a bit too unconventional for many people's taste but I find something very accessible hiding right below the surface here. There are shadows of The Beach Boys throughout the album albeit much more experimental. If nothing else, I don't know how you can hate 'My Girls', by far the biggest standout on the entire record and arguably one of the best songs of the early 2000s. 'Brother Sport' is also extremely fun. The rest may be more interesting to think about and not exactly music you'd play at your next house party. But sometimes it's exactly what I'm in the mood for.
Listened to the first few songs... this is just not for me. Not much going on here.
Merriweather Post Pavilion took me on a wild and tumultuous journey through a sonic jungle of experimental music. While I found the album's intricate layers and unconventional structures intriguing, there were moments where I felt lost in the chaos. It's like being caught in a whirlwind of sound, where every twist and turn leaves you feeling exhilarated yet slightly disoriented. Animal Collective's fearless exploration of genre boundaries and willingness to take risks is admirable, but I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 0 STAND OUT TRACK - None
New to me and pretty good.
Post indie psychedelic....I love the vibe though I think its pretty low on ideas. 3.5 My Girl however echoes though my head like some far-away dream.
This is one of those rare albums that I initially thought would comprise the majority of the 1,001 albums. An album that I've never heard of, probably wouldn't have discovered, am not initially a huge fan of the genre but appreciate why it's on this list and makes me want to explore more. Refreshing sound, much better than the endless list of country, Clapton and Morrisey nonsense I seem to get on here. Tales off slightly in the latter half but definitely one I'll be exploring more of.
Dull, repetitive, unimaginative, and muddled is pretty much this album… “Experimental Pop” my ass – what the hell is that??? If mindless whining of less-than-pedestrian and sterile lyrics, to repeating uninventive keyboard chords is your idea of “brilliant” – than this is your album… Saw a comment that this album only works IF you’re on ‘shrooms, and I call BS… I was on ½ gm of psilocybin yesterday while power-washing my deck – while unfortunately listening to this swill, and “Merriwether Post Pavilion” actually ruined my time out in nature to be honest… This is just shockingly bad on every level, and have no idea how this got on the list… Is the “1,001 Album” guy the brother of one of the dudes in this band??? Does that band have some compromising photos of the “1,001 Guy”??? Did somebody pay the “1,001 Guy” to please put this album on the list??? Who knows, but this is horrifically dreadful on an epic scale – and almost an hour long on top of that… Brutal – just brutal… Would give it a 0 in a heartbeat – and again, I really wonder what truly deserving and awesome album did NOT make this list due to this sludge, but I’ll have to settle for the lowest I can rate it… Man, the 2000’s have had some shitty music if this passes as decent…
Radiohead sings beach boys? Beach boys sing Radiohead? I’m here for it. It definitely had that late 2000s indie rock feel of Dark Was the Night.
Couldn’t really get into it. 2 stars
I wish all pop music could be as fun as this album. Cute lyrics about family life set to wild bouncy loops of electronics. Banger after banger after banger. 'Brother Sport' is an insane way to end an album.
found this quite annoying at first but by the end i was won over
Sounds like vampire weekend. Makes you think
I appreciate the impact as this sound had a massive impact on pop music for the next ten years…but there’s only so much of it I can handle.
Brother Sport bangs.
The problem when the music is created by machines and the rhythms and driving melodies are repetitious loops, it loses it's human warmth, connection and interest. The music is easy to listen to and inoffensive and provides a decent background soundtrack, but as far as sitting down and listening intently (critically), not as appealing and moves towards boring..
I don't know if I really love it yet but this has been a nice discovery.
Fun to revisit Merriweather Post Pavillon 15 years later. It really is unique, but it didn't quite have the cultural impact that reviewers at the time proclaimed it would.
Animal Collective never fail to surprise and with Merriweather Post Pavilion they further developed their unique sound. It's rarely fully perfect product, when you decide to experiment as much as AC does; but it's always exciting.
3.5
did not enjoy
Decent album, pretentious name.
Boring, boring, boring
Just the right amount of Psy-Ops to get me through a slow Friday afternoon at work. I feel thoroughly sedated and propped up simultaneously. 4/5 warped realities
I'd never heard of this group. The album grew on me over a few listens. Hard to pick a favourite track - perhaps Lion in a Coma, Daily Routine, No More Runnin
"Merriweather Post Pavilion" is the eigth studio album by American experimental pop group Animal Collective. This album combines the electronica-based sound of their previous album "Strawberry Jam" with a lusher, multilayered production. Guitarist Dekon (Josh Dibb) left after their previous album which led to the band's extensive use of synthesizers, samplers and reverb. Animal Collective was a trio at this point including Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Avey Tare (Dave Portner) and Geologist (Brian Weltz). Commercially, it hit #13 in the US and #26 in the UK and critically, it had wide-spread acclaim with many labeling it the best album of 2009. Heavy machinery noise opens "In the Flowers." Dreamy with sampled voices and piano keys as Avey Tare describes meeting a girl dancer and they dance the night away until the morning when leaves her flowers. A great midway explosion with a drum beat and fast-paced keys. The wind blowing and synth-layered keys lead off their first single "My Girls." Great lead vocals by Panda Bear as he sings about only wanting a house for his wife and daughter, no social status. Hypnotic, superb backing vocals by Avey and just a fantastic song. I like the way they change the intro of each song and in their second single "Summertime Clothes" it's loud echoing synth sounds backed by a beat. The song is catchy and builds. It's a hot night in the city, Avey can't sleep and just wants to walk around with a girl. "Bluish" seems to be a straight-forward love song. Swirling synth keys and an organ. Avey sings in a falsetto. Panda Bear harmonizes the backing vocals. The closer ""Brother Sport" opens up with Panda Bear singing "You got to open up, open up your throat." It's a song with repetitive and hypnotic lyrics, beats and noises. The song with the most noise, synth and vocal layering and it completely works. It's about Panda Bear encouraging his brother to talk about his ordeals that have troubled him. One of Animal Collective's best songs. This is a great album and one of my favorites of the 2000's. Pyschedelic, dreamy and hazy but catchy. There are great lead and backing vocals sometimes harmonizing like the Beach Boys. Everything serms very detailed with the beats and multi-layeted synths. A high recommendation from me.
Interesting
love it
I don’t know how to explain it, but this album stressed me out. More than half the songs had me on edge, especially the first and last. “My Girls” and “Summertime Clothes” were okay, and there were parts of others I didn’t mind, but overall this was a very unpleasant listening experience.
One of the easiest 5* I'll ever give. Didn't realise this album was actually on the list, but more than worthy of being on here. This is probably one of my most listened to albums of all time (as well as Strawberry Jam). There isn't really a song on here that I don't like, and My Girls is one of my favourite songs of all time. Fav songs: My Girls, Bluish, Taste
Just can't make it
In your face Beach Boys electronica - there's something quite punchy and maximalist about the sound which is exciting at first but the record sort of fades when the one trick is repeated multiple times.
Hey Animal Collective, let me clear up something that seems to have confused you… Examples of material things: • Walls • Adobe Slats Example of non material things: • Social Status Hope that helps. I feel like there’s maybe 20 minutes worth of ideas on here, then a lot of loops and echo. I fluctuated between bored and annoyed.
I appreciate this album from a creative perspective, but it's not for me. At any single point it sounds like at least two different millennial "indie-pop" songs with random electronic beeps and sounds trying to come together, but repeatedly fails. For me, the mess is too distracting and I have hard time not being annoyed. But hey, whatever frosts your cookie.
Love this album. Have it on Vinyl. Some weird parts but I like them.
Quite ethereal and dreamy. Not bad.
This sounds like AI tried to make music and mixed in shitty electronic sounds on some generic alt-pop. It’s not total garbage, maybe don’t age well.
Hear me out... the vocal tone, harmonies, instrumentation layering, chord progressions... they all make this sound like the spiritual descendent of the Beach Boys, and specifically Pet Sounds. I'm also hearing Foster the People and Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes.
Features wacky and trippy sounds and an overall chaotic structure. All of these on top of the Beach Boys-ish melodies. As interesting as modern psychedelia can be. But it's too messy to be an enjoyable listen for me.
It’s interesting enough for another pass through, but I get the feeling it won’t stand up to repeated listening because it’s just all very much the same.
An optical illusion album cover is bad ass. Decent.
The highs of the instrumentation on the first two tracks fades quickly as it becomes all-too familiar a psychedelic indie experience, but it's also never less than good
Fast paced, upbeat rhythm with lots of cool electronic sound effects in the background make this album great listening for any Daily (exercise) Routine. Summertime Clothes is the best song, liked it all. Nuff said, nuff said, nuff said, nuff said, nuff said (2.5*s)
I've listened to Animal Collective before so I welcomed this entry on the list. They have a very recognizable sound, super complex and ethereal. I love their mashup of various sounds, autoharps, synths, sequencers, samples, piano keys, household objects, etc. Their signature feature is probably the repetition of vocals that are harmonized into delay pedals (read as ::mid-word pauses::). They put the art in "artistry" and have really carved out a little niche in lo-fi indie rock. Their deep lyrics and hypnotic loops are so euphoric, it's almost like they wrote these songs while experimenting with psychedelics (wait a minute... ::side eye::). Keep doing what you're doing AC.
Enter a whimsical, psychedelic journey through a multi-level dream sequence. Trippy and calming. Couldn't understand all the lyrics but I enjoyed this on a morning drive to work. Geologist builds musical layers like sedimentary deposition. I can rock.put to more of this.
I've heard of Animal Collective before but wasn't familiar with any of their music. I'm glad I had an excuse to give this a listen. I appreciate the synthesizer heavy electronic songs but wasn't overly impressed with it overall. It's not bad but overall pretty forgettable. I'm sure there is a time and a place for this. 2.45 stars
Nice dance tunes…. None stood out though
You know it's a gem when you scroll down to "Shorts remixing this video" section on youtube and see a video titled "When you have no friends:" Probably the first album I did a complete 180 on, at first it was annoying, didn't feel like real music, and I cared very little. Now I can't get enough of it. Truly hypnotizing.
didn't find the vibe
I understand why it's on the list. Good to have some more modern music on there too and this is a good example. Psychedelic like Tame Impala with better singing. Some songs remind me of the Beach Boys if they made trance music. At times it's very good, but for the most part it's not my taste. Favorite song: Brother sport.
Disappointed as enjoyed this album on release
Wacky, lots of sounds, but to me sounds scratchy and chaotic. Not my thing.
I didn’t like this at first, but it got better as it went on. Amazing production and interesting lyrics. Might not come back to it but this was still pretty good.
Big fan of this one. Just some great 2000s indie electronica pop type stuff. I think I've gotten other albums by animal collective on this list but I think this'll be the only one that lasts with me because every song is excellent. My girls, summer time clothes, and bluish were my faves.
A wonderfully strange album that is more refined than previous albums by this band. I love the earlier stuff, but this album is just a lovely vibe. Good stuff.
Chaos is my enemy in music, however this album is unique enough to allow me to see through the clouds. I'm quite impressed with the texture and complexity of the sound. Animal Collective has garnered an excellent reputation amongst my friends so I was happy at the chance to give them another shot. I can appreciate its beauty, but it still is not an album i'll be reaching for anytime soon.
Remata muy bien. Brother Sport.
From the description I thought this was going to be so cool, but it turned out to be I don't know what.. I didn't like it and didn't really get it either.
I saw this band
Experimentell, aber viel frischer als in den 70er. Gute Mittelklasse.
Da fehlt mir das Verständnis und die avantgardische Ader. Ich höre nichts.
Kept my interest
If Amnesiac era Radiohead formed a supergroup with Stereolab, got SFA for harmonies, and decided to make Smile. Compelling stuff demanding continued reflection.
Peak 2009. Not in a good way. There is nothing memorable about this wishy washy rubbish, but equally it wasn't offensive.
что-то в этом есть) но я вообразила по описанию почему-то новый хот чип а это не он
Herd it all before.
i will never not be disappointed that they are not actually an animal collective
want to return to this
Atmospheric, trippy and whimsical. It really is like an alternate universe Brian Wilson, in all the best ways. Really delightful and mildly mind blowing. Fave Songs: Summertime Clothes, Bluish, No More Runnin, Taste, Daily Routine, Guys Eyes, Lion in a Coma
One of the best albums of the last 25 years.
I would have loved to like this more but I simply did not get it enough…
in the flowers- 5 or 6. its ok but if the rest of the album is like this i might like it a lot less my girls- 5. kinda reminds me of that movie home tbh also frightened- 5 summertime clothes- dont care 4 daily routine- 4. bluish- mgmt type shit. 6 or 7. i like this one actually not as boring as the others. this song doesnt feel blue though, its green guys eyes- 5 taste-5 lion in a coma- 4 no more runnin- 4 brother sport- idc favorite track- bluish
I still don't get this album. It's like adults making music with kids toys.
Difficult to relate to, for me. At time very listenable. At other times more difficult.
Not a big fan didnt like most of the songs, they were pretty boring, wasn’t appealing
I remember people going crazy for this album when it came out. To me it sounds like a guy trying to figure out how to use Garage Band.
I liked this album but I am probably not going to revisit it any time soon
I see the appeal and i see a universe or point in time where i would like this. Bands like matt and kim and grouplove come to mind - early reddit hippie twee core. However, im not in that universe or at that point in time. SOMEONE PUT ON PLAYBOI CARTI
Enjoyed this. Don’t think it makes it into the rotation as of rn. 3 stars as it stands now, could see it being a 4 a some point
I had heard of them before but had never listened to them. Now I never will again.
Just not sure if I’m fully ready for this. Some great melodies in there. 3/5
Favourite tracks: my girls
Repetitive electric noise.
One of the most insane and impressive auditory experiences ever. From the start of the first track, you have no inkling that there is going to be loads of catchy poppy choruses on this album, but there are, all over. The first time I heard this album, it was like sensory overload. After my 5th listen, I can really appreciate the production and all the keyboard stuff that happens. One of a kind album, and my belief that this is Animal Collective's masterpiece, and they already have a lot of great albums
Not for me. Skipped through most of the songs. Cool cover though. 2/5
Some decent tracks, some a bit too out there, would give a 3.5 if I could
bluish, no more runnin, in the flowers
that got boring, then unbearable very quickly
Nope If you want this stuff, try Mercury Rev debut and Mercury prize winner
nice, moj djir al nista wow
Tak tak, nije mi se bas slusao.
Not for everyone but definitely my king of music. This was the top of my Top 50 list in 2009, here’s what I wrote then: Animal Collective really came into their own in 2009. They are still one of the weirder bands out there, but they are paying more attention to songs and melody and the result is both one of their more interesting and out there albums to date. Like Radiohead, they do their own thing and the other bands can only watch- the only difference is Animal Collective is several shades more out there than Radiohead. At points scary, beautiful, psychedelic, spacy, experimental, catchy and just plain messed up, they still are not for everyone- in fact, I believe they remain an acquired taste. But it's my favorite album of 2009, and that's what this list is all about.
This should be right up my alley with the indie-nature but it was just fine. Nothing special. A little long as well.
I guess I don't like Animal Collective.
If I was in an alternate universe and someone showed me a picture of weezer this is what I'd imagine they sound like. BIG montage in a roadtrip / tiktok edit mood. Fav songs summertime clothes and daily routine
About a year ago I watched a video of two guys doing a bracket of the best indie songs of all time. In the end My Girls by Animal Collective won out. Intrigued, I excitedly listened to the GOAT indie song that I've been missing out on. That was when I realized the people making the video had terrible taste. My opinion has not changed after listening to this album in full.
Well this was a very interesting album. Dream pop of a very high level. This definitely worhips at the alter of Mr. Brian Wilson, the singer even sounds like him from time to time. The sounds are strange and unique and more often then not quite wonderful. This is one I will continue to explore. 4 stars
I used to like this album 5 years ago, but I guess that was just my millennial angst...
The Beach Boys' Smile run through a colour photocopier a few times. It's pleasant enough, and they make an interesting racket, but nothing really stuck. It feels like they hit upon a distinctive sound and made everything that way. Which is fine if that sound resonates with you I guess, but this got very samey very quickly, and the songs didn't really grab me.
This album starts strongly. There's a tremendous amount of energy. It more like a collection of anthems than songs. Yet there is a strange Eno under current influence that carries it all. It was a pleasant surprise. It made me want to dance - never a good thing. I was sad when the album finished. It left me wanting more. And so I bought a copy.
A bit too experimental for me. 2.5*
# Playlist track - In The Flowers # Notes - There is so much noise all the time. - It was hard to get through it all. - I'm sure that this is kind of cool after you listen to it after a bunch of times, but I honestly won't.
interesting psychedelic sounds but really hard to pay attention to. the singing especially gets repetitive and tiring quickly. album seems designed to be listened to while on drugs, which is not as fun for anyone paying attention to the actual music
The Bleach Boys
Singer had a voice that reminded me a bit of Brian Wilson. Alas, this was not my Pet Sounds. Gets two starts because I was able to get all the way through it, but unlikely to get a place in my rotation.
Favourite song - My girl
It's ok, just not my thing
Terrible
5 stars for the nostalgia alone. This is one of the defining albums of my life, and I’m glad to hear that it holds up so well. Just an absolute joy.
Have you ever been in a lucid dream with plastic clouds and fluorescent metallic mountains? Licking the pavement with a dry tongue. Floating and sweating profusely, but never stop laughing. Losing perception of time. Seeing sounds, Hearing shapes. This is the record in the background.
The Beatles if every song was written in the style of strawberry fields.
The wikipedia entry says "reverb heavy." They could have just said "redundant" instead. Vocal-based electronica has never been much of my thing. This would be decent enough background music, I guess -- but I was honestly bored by most of it. Unexpected "banger" -- Lion in a Coma
Loved it
It didn't do anything for me.
Although I can hear why some like it or find it interesting, it just doesn’t do much for me.
"Oh, is it over? Thank Christ."
Unique at times strange sound but nothing exciting
Coole Musik, aber braucht jeder Song 2 Minuten Intro? Viele unterschiedliche Sounds, aber trotzdem irgendwie langweilig. Meh. 3*
Soaring harmonies and lively indie vibe.
Really busy, the layered singing and back up vocals were distracting at times. Appreciate the creativity and going for something different, but was a bit tough to get into. Standout was "Summertime Clothes".
I rather enjoyed this collection of upbeat psychedelic pop, which is full of ambition, euphoria, electronic noises, catchy tunes, vibrant vocals, the works. Its kitchen sink production might put some people off but I like it. Sod it, I'm giving it a 5 :)
Listening to this reminded me of the film Being John Malkovich, it was all a little weird. Wonder what portal they crawled into when they made this album?
Not saying this wasnt enjoyable it was but could have been from any genre at any time, but in a strange good way.
Not heard this before, had to give it another listen because I found myself distracted and it sort of faded into an amorphous background blur. Enjoyed it more when I found time to give it an active listen, the tracks 𝘢𝘳𝘦 different. Feels like there's still more to be got from this, I'll have to give it another go
Contemporary electro noise with a kind of wall of sound vibe and some lively harmonics. I'd not really listened to this before, whilst I'm tempted to go for 5 stars, that might just be because it's not F*&king COUNTRY AGAIN., so I'll be cautious and drop a star because I didn't instantly listen twice.
Argh, illusory motion of the artwork keeps messing with my head, haha! As for the album, it's good - some parts pop, other parts pretty out there, maybe you need to be high to fully appreciate it.
Nope. Not for me. Not even a little. It was like the same song for 14 tracks.
Kinda like MGMT but boring
Sure. I liked listening to this more when I was looking at the cover which is fun to realize. It's almost hard to explain what this was. Lots of sound mixing together to get a direction and vibe but the lyrics all felt like instruments more than having anything to say. Not an un-fun listen but I doubt I'll come back.
Easy to fall asleep too Obvious Pet Sounds comparison here. A bunch of tracks are okay but too muddled. It's like keeping things kind of messy to obfuscate because maybe the confidence isn't there. I think I'd rather listen to Pet Sounds or Vampire Weekend for this kind of sound.
Nice modern psychadelic pop. It's chilled and has a good groove and unites some 60's elements with 00's sounds. Most of the album failed to grab me fully, but there were lots of aspects of this I liked.
Trancy but dull not that into it
This record is intelligent, well-executed, and after two or three playthroughs has left barely a biscuit crumb in my head. Applying electronic oddness to baroque, Brel, Piaf or Walker-type chanteur pieces is a neat idea, albeit one Bowie perhaps perfected earlier. This washed passed me on repeat so politely that I had to concentrate to notice individual songs. Maybe the songs aren’t strong enough, but I think this is more a problem of vibes: the singing and melodies belong to a noughties trend towards whimsy and songs that hover in the background with ordering-a-café-latte vocals. For a contrast, go back a couple of decades and see how those young geeks in Slint used their frail voices to dramatic effect.
Was happy to get this - I have two (unheard) Animal Collective albums in my collection (not this), and remember MPP being highly praised during a period I didn't listen to much new music. First impression: yeah, you want to establish that electronica Beach Boys production vibe (we all know what I think about the Beach Boys, of course), wrong audience sorry!; later: sounds like Vampire Weekend and Matt and Kim (Christ!) fighting in a broom cupboard; finally: this is annoying as hell, turn it the fuck off! At the least, I regained some hard drive space. Cruel, but deserves the 1* PS - I quite like the Panda Bear/Sonic Boom collaboration, although it does basically follow the same listening experience outlined above
Did not live up to my expectations
so repetitive, gets tiring to listen to real fast. some of the songs could've been kinda cool if they didn't repeat the same phrases over and over for five minutes
It's okay. Never heard of the hit songs.
Has always dipped a bit in the second half for me, but when MPP hits, it HITS. Laying back in a dark room and letting the textures and layers of sound wash over you is always wonderful. Around Lion in a Coma is where I release I'm pulled out of the experience. Not that any of it is bad, I just start to get a little bored. The closing track Brother Sport is a nice finish that caps off the record on a postive note. *Heard before.
The most remarkable thing about this record is that it was commercially successful.
Greit nok, litt intetsigande
Very ethereal pop, almost stadium like but if it was in a dungeon. Cool addition to the list.
This one is a classic of sorts. So many people sing this album's praises, and it was extremely well received by critics. I do enjoy it, though I wouldn't say I find is as monumental or groundbreaking as some do. Interesting indie rock/pop sort of stuff, maybe like a more energized, modern Fleet Foxes if that makes sense. Animal Collective is an interesting group, aside from the song "FloriDada," I always forget what they even sound like. Even having listened to this album a day or two ago, I already kind of forgot what it sounds like. But I know it is and was a great listen. Favorite tracks: Lion in a Coma, In the Flowers, Also Frightened, Bluisu, Brother Sport. Album art: Definitely a cool one, a big optical illusion image, one of those designed to look like it's moving. It's actually a bit freaky, it almost seems like cheating. 4/5
Some good bangers summertime was awesome
More psychedelia... unlike Country Joe & The Fish, there was no blues evident at all - just sound effects. I found this unlistenable.
0/10 did not enjoy
I like the sound but it gets monotonous after a few songs.
Probably an album and artist that takes a few listens to to "get", but a good first experience, one to check out again.
Cool sounds
Surprising hit
I've been dragging my feet on writing this review for like a week now, time to get this over with. I truly have no idea what to make of this. I've listened to it like three times now to try to wrap my head around it, but not sure if I've made any progress. Lyrics-wise, this is honestly pretty straightforward and frankly almost a bit boring. It's generally fairly simple stuff about what's going on in the singer's life. "My Girls" is their most famous song, and it's pretty much just about how he doesn't want fancy things and just wants to buy a house for his wife and daughter. "Bluish" is about thinking his wife is hot. It's perfectly nice, but a bit simplistic. The lyrics aren't what's interesting here though, it's the sound that stands out. The album has this really layered electronic-y sound. The depth of the sound is fairly impressive and on some songs I think it works really well. That said, I found myself actively disliking a few songs and kind of zoning out on others. It's interesting, but just doesn't work for me consistently. I think I read too much about this while listening. The critical reviews are wildly positive for this one and I'm feeling like I'm just missing something. It's perfectly good, and I guess I can see how musically it might be a step above what else was getting made at the time, but I just didn't love it. I feel like I should love it given my musical tastes, but I just don't. I could see this being one that I come back to in a year and it just clicks, but it is what it is for now. Struggling to talk myself into a 4, so 3 it is. Favorite song: My Girls Other: In The Flowers, Summertime Clothes, Bluish, No More Runnin 12/19/23
Remata muy bien. Brother Sport.
I started out hating this but it grew on me over time, up to a point. A lot of it feels like disorganized cacophony. Some of the 'songs' that are decent go on for too long or degenerate into repetitive noise. Every song on the album is about 90 seconds too long. Indulgent, smell your own farts songwriting.
I quite like their lush, textured production. It’s a vibe I can get behind. That said, the songs don’t have very memorable/sticky melodies. 3.5
Reminded me of the same type of insanity on Brian Wilson's Smile. Just more experimental and less enjoyable. 1.7
Great production. Very interesting. Didn' t like vocals as much
Forgettable spacey-indie stuff. Not enough meat on these bones to stay with you. It sounds lush don't get be wong, and it's not a bad record - just I don't picture myself ever going - "I think the mood is just right for me to put on that Animal Collective record ..."
I liked the songs more that incorporated some different time signature stuff to it, like "Lion In A Coma." Somewhere in the middle they kinda lost me. It dragged for me, I guess. But the ending finished stronger so there's something to be said for that...
I don't really get the appeal of this new age, post-modern pop. It just sounds like rain drops or faucets and synth, on repeat. This is not the first band or album of this genre that made the list and I don't know why they keep showing up. Or at least why more than one or two are on the list.
I get this is experimental. But I can't just sit here and pretend I am liking or understanding any of this music. Some of the sounds are cool, but quickly become monotone or are paired with or made into something weird. Either way, some of the highs on this album are good, and even though I wouldn't listen to any of this again, I feel like some appreciation for what they are trying to make is guaranteed.
Oooooooh yea. This album is poppy and fun, but also experimental, which makes for a cool and varied experience. One of my favorites when it comes to psychedelic pop.
This was OK. I started off really enjoying it, it gave off some nice Sigur Ros and Flaming Lips-type vibes, but it all got very samey. Its nice enough.
Words cannot describe how much I do not miss the era of synthpop at all. If I'm to believe the Wiki of this album, apparently this is the one that started it all--so it's not a shock that I hate this shit. Guys Eyes is one of the worst songs in this entire book. Good riddance to an entirely forgettable era of music, and I'm looking forward to never hearing this album again.
Nope. Music should soothe, not jar. Anyone who produces music that jars is just being a knob.
Not for me
mmmmm
Jag tror att låtarna är bättre än vad jag orkar ta in. Dock lite för mkt bitvis.
Inte riktigt min kopp te. Försökte ändå två gånger
Hyfsat behagligt. Många låtar låter rätt lika. Soundet är enhetligt genom skivan. Det är rätt bra. Men kanske enformigt till slut. Är det ens kopp te så vill man ju ha detta på repeat. Klickar inte för mig. Men det är alltså samtidigt inte dåligt. My girls är bra Brother sport är bra (första halvan, lite tjatig i mitten och slutet)
Som att spela tre olika Håkan Hellström album samtidigt över varandra.
Stundtals rätt bra och stundtals blir det experimentella/pretentiösa inte riktigt lika lyckat. Ändå uppfriskande med något som sticker ut från mängden och gör lyssningen roligare. Svag trea men skulle säkert kunna växa lite med fler lyssningar.
Great first half, eh second half
Bof
I’m fascinated by the way rhythms overlap on this album. As a former drummer (once a drummer, always a drummer), I love listening to offbeat rhythms or oddball time signatures. On song after song, Animal Collective introduces a series of beats, rhythms and melodies that at first seem to conflict. But give it a minute and everything clicks into place. This is dense, layered music but the big picture is stunning every time. Listening to the beginnings of these songs is like watching someone put together a puzzle of an abstract shape. It looks wrong at first but in time, the full strangeness of the picture takes shape and makes sense. What really helps this music work though are the emotions. Animal Collective have a big heart and these songs resonate with earnestness. The music also captures a childlike wonder and sense of play. As complex and intricate as the music gets, it doesn’t feel pretentious to me. They sound like they had a lot of fun experimenting in the studio (and presumably smoked a lot of weed). And as polished as the final product is, it still has that feeling of friends goofing around. For years I appreciated Animal Collective at a bit of a distance. This album came out when I was in college and I respected it without fully embracing it. But last year Animal Collective put out a great album called “Time Skiffs” that unlocked their sound for me. It’s a lighthearted album of psychedelic pop and very approachable by their standards. I read a review of that album that referred to the Beach Boys influence in their music and that comment hit me like a bolt of lightning. I’d hadn’t thought of that before but once you hear it, it’s hard to miss. The way they harmonize is right out of the Beach Boys playbook. And that bass drum thump in “My Girls” could easily be a timpani hit lifted off of “Pet Sounds.” This album has grown on me over the years and it gets better and better. Classic album cover too. Very trippy.
Just realizing now that I really haven't listened to this band much at all. Got through the first track and I was thinking "this is what this band sounds like?". For some reason I had them in my head as some indie folk festival type of band, but this is really a breath of fresh air. The sound is eclectic and interesting, it's layered just the right amount when you want it, and I feel a sense of wonder when listening; what's coming next? A gripe that is starting to raise its' ugly head on me is that sometimes the music feels kind of direction-less which ironically is probably the single biggest musical concept that I look for when I'm listening to music. I really love music that has direction, that aims somewhere and goes there (or doesn't and goes somewhere else). Track 2 and 3 together gave me this lingering, loitering sort of feeling and it made me want something more. Usually this isn't such a bad thing that it will make me not like music, but those two songs together equals close to 11 minutes of music that doesn't stretch itself or go into new areas. It's also 11 minutes of the albums first 16, and at that point it's kind of fair to start making assumptions about the overall sound. Thankfully it picked up by track 4, "Summertime Clothes". The syncopated synth that lays the foundation is a cool energy-filled element that elevates everything else around it. Awesome focal point. In the end I think I wanted something more out of the sound. I wanted structures to appear when they didn't, and I wanted songs to explode sometimes. I feel like they are SO close to having a sound that I love, but just come up short. I'll definitely listen more and could see myself liking them the more I do. I like the album cover. It feels timeless in a way.
Didn’t do it for me.
This was the first album that I had to turn down. Some of those high-pitched sounds were way too much for my middle-aged ears. 😂🤣 Overall, I did not enjoy this album. A bit all over the place for me and sometimes a bit annoying.
Ultimate Pitchfork band? AC belongs to this group of American guitar bands that at some point in the 2010s enjoyed some mainstream succes. I would prefer a band like Deerhunter but can appreciate AC / Panda Bear as well even though their experimental beach-boys-influenced style is a bit exhaustive. This is their most accessible and successful album and I think including it in this list is justified, but I would not put it in my personal 1001 list (would go for Sung Tongs perhaps).
There are some good songs but they are seriously trying yo hide that.
At times I thought I was enduring some sort of Beach Boys' induced schizophrenia. And then at other times I really liked it.
January 2009 Journey, exuberant, some good tracks Psychedelic pop, electronic pop, synth-pop, neo-psychedelia, indie, avant-pop 6/10 listen again 22/11/23
Kinda weird. Somewhat like if the Beatles were less good and tried to make Sgt Peppers in the post-synthesizer world
I don't get this band and I don't get this album. I don't understand this type of music, it's pretty confusing and random at times, with some unexpected passages of melody coming in least expected moments. It's definitely not terrible, but 100% it's not entertaining at all. Couldn't even get to a halfway point on this album, just too much of a n experimental mess.
Interesting songs but not catchy songs
A crazy, spinning, hypnotic "mess"(?) of vocals and heavy production. Probably meant to be listened to while on hallucinogens, but it was still perfectly decent without them. My Girls and Summertime Clothes are clear highlights, for having some satisfying vocal moments and non-overbearing instrumental interludes. Daily Routine, on the other hand, is one of several examples of experimental synth-pop done very, very incorrectly. It's an irritating sound. The songs are mostly hits or "eh, it's alright"s, with a couple of these absolute honks thrown in to remind you that Animal Collective isn't perfect. That's part of the charm, though. They sound like a group of kids making a relatively organised racket with a mishmash of modern sounds at their disposal. And, honestly, it's pretty cool.
It wasn't bad. It wasn't good.