Lent, the Christian season of fasting, began this Wednesday. For me, these 40 days have evolved from a show of faith to an exercise in self-control. This Lent I have decided to abstain from two things: 1. Wearing my Boy Scout sash underneath my clothes. 2. Folk music. I know what you are thinking: "Take my eyes, but not the folk." Folk music has had a good run on this column, but it's time to move on. Do you hear me, Textile, Bugling, and Rabbit-Raising badges? It's time to move on. So for the next 40 days, This Weeks Review will abstain from all things pertaining to red squirrels, meadowlarks, or easy plateaus.
In the absence of my old friend folk, I went looking for a new sound. Animal Collective's "Merriweather Post Pavilion" had been recommended to me, on numerous occasions, and post-listen I was pleasantly surprised. Animal Collective has been on my radar for a couple of years now as a hip new electronic-pop force to be reckoned with. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" confirms all of those rumors, artfully, subtly, and with attitude.
I'll start with the attitude. These guys are hip. Too hip for Anglo-Saxon names, so they made up their own. Exhibit A: The band members go by the names Avey Tare, Deakin, Panda Bear, and Geologist. Their music backs up their hipness in a way that few hipsters can boast. The vocals are blasé and cool and they sing their lyrics with a sense of lazy confidence. Unlike in most pop songs, which place the voice front and center, Animal Collective's vocals are thrown far back into each track and set on even ground with their complex instrumentation. As a result, their vocals become rhythmic and percussive, like the instruments of the band, and the two (vocals and instrumentation) are indelibly linked in every song.
What is so striking about "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is the environment that it creates. The atmospheric and entrancing synth sounds and the echoing vocals create a setting, and Animal Collective is faithful to this setting through the album. With each listen, the seemingly unmelodic atmospheric melodies take a recognizable shape. After awhile, the songs are infectiously singable and, most of all, danceable.
The best thing about "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is its rhythmic brilliance. Each song on the album boasts an energetic and driving percussion performance. The rhythms are musically complex and involve multiple rhythms and meters that overlap, but it never feels confusing. Furthermore, it never feels like music for musicians. It is natural, subtle, and very fun.
Almost all of the songs are hits, but "My Girls" and "Brother Sport" are the runaway successes of this album. "My Girls" showcases how effortlessly Animal Collective makes complex rhythms simple to listen to. "Brother Sport" is a hip twist on a pop song. Typical Animal Collective, the vocals are rhythmic and percussive. Check out these songs and become hooked. Maybe this time next year, your goal for Lent will be "stop calling myself Panda Bear."