Lion in a Coma: An Animal Collective Review

Animal Collective's ninth album, Merriweather Post Pavilion hit stores January 20 to a slew of positive reviews. Hate to bandwagon the masses on this one, but I completely agree. After eight years together, AC is still inspiring the kind of enthusiasm and overt curiosity in listeners that made 2005's Feels such a success. Creepy and comforting, pulsating and yet hauntingly smooth, MPP is even knocking Strawberry Jam off my record player for awhile.

The first single, "My Girls" opens to some call and response vocals by bandmates Avey Tare and Panda Bear, paired perfectly over one of AC's more infectious, uplifting pop beats (courtesy of mixmaster Geologist). Don't be deceived by your foot tapping and head swaying however, this track is far from an unsentimental smash. Lyrically crafted with care, "My Girls" is the expression of one father's devotion to his wife and daughter; a man whose selfless determination to provide the necessities of love and shelter for his family warms your heart.

Is it much that I feel I need /A solid soul and the blood I bleed

With a little girl, and by my spouse / I only want a proper house

I don't care for the fancy things / Or to take part in a precious race

Children cry for the one who has / A real big heart and a father's grace

I don't mean to seem like I care about material things

Like a social status

I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls

Other favorites of mine include "Guy's Eyes," "Summertime Clothes," and "Lion in a Coma." Though it must be said that every track stands alone as stellar. I thought "No More Runnin" seemed like a mellow place for the boys to close out, but instead they concluded with a much more appropriate jubilant burst of soundscape, "Brother Sport." If you're not convinced it's buzzworthy after the first listen, allow yourself a couple more spins for the creativity of this masterpiece to penetrate.

Animal Collective - My Girls [mp3]

Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes [mp3]

Animal Collective - Lion in a Coma [mp3]

Animal Collective - Brother Sport [mp3]

Now that I've given Merriweather a very large stamp of approval, I can tell y'all there are a few (positive) reviews I took issue with. I enumerated my objections, but tell me if you disagree.

Pitchfork writes: "It's of the moment and feels new, but it's also striking in it's immediacy and comes across as friendly and welcoming."

I yell in objection: Animal Collective has never been an "of the moment" group. Although their experimental sound has become somewhat a formulaic success after several albums, I've always considered AC beyond the zeitgeist. They are destined to be the band we look back on, gasp, then reprimand ourselves for our former under-appreciation. How could we not have realized they were actually light years ahead in symphonic composition? They are the future, not the present, in music.

Entertainment Weekly writes: "Merriweather Post Pavilion won't land the band the opening slot on a Coldplay tour, it cleaves closer to 'Pitch's' more listener-friendly aesthetic, abandoning the self-indulgent impulses that sometimes muddied last year's Strawberry Jam..."

I yell in objection: First, Chris Martin should be so lucky. Second, I fail to see a single tarnish on the immaculate Strawberry Jam. That release was such a testament to Animal Collective's creative evolution. I understand that in juxtaposition to the odd intricacy of MPP, Jam may appear inadequate. Still that in no way "muddies" the unique accomplishments of the previous album.

Now that I'm ready to do some fighting / throw some bows, I'm going to turn on Pineapple Express and mellow out. Memorizing lines from that movie comes so naturally to me it's scary.

P, L, and "Feeling like a slice of butter meltin' on top of the ... big ol' pile of flapjacks... yeah",

LTK