Chicagoist: Rockin' Our Turntable: Animal Collective

Greedo

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:40:53 -0600

Vinyl temporarily out of stock. . . Bummer . . I guess they're over-hyped.

clarenceweatherspoon

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:15:12 -0600

I happen to be a huge fan of Avey not singing, and AC always sounds better with Panda Bear singing or without vocals at all. His melodies are dull and obvious, and he often can't sing in tune. His voice irritates me and I'd rather not hear it. This is an opinion, and is inherently subjective, just as your positive opinion is. BTW, I'm often on the other side of the vocalist debate with Dan Bejar/Destroyer.

jamesj

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:39:02 -0600

It's one thing to criticize the perceived simplicity of their drum programming or knock them for looping the same simple chord changes for exceedingly long periods of time if that's not your thing, but to say Avey Tare's voice is awful is not objective musical critique. I happen to be a huge fan of his voice, and more importantly the melodies he comes up with. Apparently it has become even more trendy to hate on AC based on vague and generally unfounded reasoning than it is to overrate them.

Navin

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:38:15 -0600

It's a really fine listen but don't get carried away and listen to all these kids who are peeing their pants over it.

clarenceweatherspoon

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:32:26 -0600

It's a good record, probably only because they finally figured out how to record/mix bass a scant 8 years into making records. Avey Tare still has an awful voice, and for being "geniuses" their programming/loops are still amateurish; the drums on "Taste" in particular are embarrassing. Still, a good listen, and, as you can tell, I'm a pretty hardcore hater of all things AC.

jamesj

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:56:41 -0600

Maybe the band gets a little overhyped, but that shouldn't detract from the quality of their music. Sung Tongs, Feels, Strawberry Jam, and Water Curses are all pretty damn great records, and from what I've heard of Merriweather Post Pavillion it sounds like they've got another great release on their hands. The band should at least get props for releasing consistently solid music given the fact that their sound changes so much from record to record.

Greedo

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:39:44 -0600

I don't know about over-hyped. . . but I do understand the frustration with the band. Not the easiest listen but I love the some of the earlier works, it definitely has to grow on you.

Tankboy

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:16:25 -0600

Um, as tc3 pointed out, the light show and the whole experience is what it's about. And, read what I wrote ... one could also argue that with the Grateful Dead "the live experience is what it's all about" and I fucking hate the Grateful Dead.

via chicago

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10:22 -0600

"but we can now say with great confidence that they are a group for whom the live experience is what it's all about" Im sorry, but I had to address this point directly. You cannot honestly be serious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDuCjiyXK6I If ^that^ is what its "all about", well you can have it.

tc3

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:08:11 -0600

I enjoyed their set at Pitchfork, though it mostly had to do with the combo of the music and the light show (obviously they needed to play after dark because it would not have been impressive during the day.) That said, their recorded output still has a disconnect with me. I suppose it's good, I just can't get any attachment to it.

Retardo Montalban

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:46:04 -0600

It's called an OPTICAL ILLUSION. All the hype about Animal Collective makes me want to commit acts of Animal Cruelty on them. (Agreed on the Panda Bear album Via.)

via chicago

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:36:29 -0600

Im sorry, but AC has to be one of the most ovverated bands out there. Don't even get me started on their live show...a bunch of knob turning wankery with zero stage presence. The Panda Bear record is pretty great though.

mich

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:28:04 -0600

Yeah, what is going on with that image... it waves as I read the type!

Tankboy

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:04:24 -0600

Sorry, our new Movable Type seems to have reverted to an earlier draft and deleted the link to the vinyl. You can get the vinyl version of the album here.

dopplerd

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:00:36 -0600

Is it just me or is that image moving?!?! Stare for a second or two at one corner and then shift your gaze to another corner. Creepy! Or maybe it is just to much coffee.

Greedo

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:57:40 -0600

Looking forward to this new AC album. Where can I find the imported vinyl?