Animal Collective, Fall Be Kind EP
Talbs
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Entertainment
Since their first album in 2000, the psychedelic and experimental group known as the Animal Collective has brought music to the indie scene that is unmatched both in obscurity and cult following. Their last album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, received amazing reviews for its well-rounded and happy sound through all 55-minutes of play.
After receiving awards such as "Top Album of 2009" from Fact Magazine (UK), Pitchfork.com, and Stereogum.com and listings near the top albums of the decade, the Animal Collective went on a successful tour to play their new hits such as "My Girls." But they weren't going to stop there.
In November of 2009, the Animal Collective released an EP consisting of some of their best work to date. The three members of the band, Panda Bear, Avey Tare, and the Geologist (as they go by on stage), announced that the Fall Be Kind EP was to have more of a colder sound to reflect the season of release and contrast the summer-feel of Merriweather Post Pavilion.
In the last three songs of the EP, it seems they achieve this very well while still producing music that doesn't leave you in that Elliott Smith like depression. However, these don't come until you listen to the first two songs; "Graze" and "What Would I Want? Sky," which might leave you in a euphoric state after listening carefully.
"Graze" is a typical good sounding song, much like those of their last few albums. It doesn't contain anything too drastic other than some fun loops and a good obscure melody.
"What Would I Want? Sky" is by far the breakthrough song of this album and the best reason you have to listen to it. Starting off with an experimental intro combining a 6/8 beat with a 7/8 thrown under the first ever licensed sampling of a Grateful Dead song ("Unbroken Chain"), the song then transitions into a deep set of verses and chorus. Despite the bold transition in the middle of the song, it remains one song only to be listened to as a whole.
As mentioned, the album then transitions into darker melodies such as "Bleeding." The track "On a Highway" is instrumentally well composed; however it features the most boring vocals and lyrics the Animal Collective has performed in years. The Fall Be Kind EP ends on a very good note with the 7-minute "I Think I Can" which features some great ambient sounds, heavy reverb-effect on most the loops, and a changing structure to keep you interested during the entire length.
Overall, the album is a great shifting point for Animal Collective and reminds me of Panda Bear's amazing solo album, Person Pitch, from a couple years back.
After receiving awards such as "Top Album of 2009" from Fact Magazine (UK), Pitchfork.com, and Stereogum.com and listings near the top albums of the decade, the Animal Collective went on a successful tour to play their new hits such as "My Girls." But they weren't going to stop there.
In November of 2009, the Animal Collective released an EP consisting of some of their best work to date. The three members of the band, Panda Bear, Avey Tare, and the Geologist (as they go by on stage), announced that the Fall Be Kind EP was to have more of a colder sound to reflect the season of release and contrast the summer-feel of Merriweather Post Pavilion.
In the last three songs of the EP, it seems they achieve this very well while still producing music that doesn't leave you in that Elliott Smith like depression. However, these don't come until you listen to the first two songs; "Graze" and "What Would I Want? Sky," which might leave you in a euphoric state after listening carefully.
"Graze" is a typical good sounding song, much like those of their last few albums. It doesn't contain anything too drastic other than some fun loops and a good obscure melody.
"What Would I Want? Sky" is by far the breakthrough song of this album and the best reason you have to listen to it. Starting off with an experimental intro combining a 6/8 beat with a 7/8 thrown under the first ever licensed sampling of a Grateful Dead song ("Unbroken Chain"), the song then transitions into a deep set of verses and chorus. Despite the bold transition in the middle of the song, it remains one song only to be listened to as a whole.
As mentioned, the album then transitions into darker melodies such as "Bleeding." The track "On a Highway" is instrumentally well composed; however it features the most boring vocals and lyrics the Animal Collective has performed in years. The Fall Be Kind EP ends on a very good note with the 7-minute "I Think I Can" which features some great ambient sounds, heavy reverb-effect on most the loops, and a changing structure to keep you interested during the entire length.
Overall, the album is a great shifting point for Animal Collective and reminds me of Panda Bear's amazing solo album, Person Pitch, from a couple years back.
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