Best Ever Albums

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

telefunker — Wed, 7 Oct 2009 13:07:30 GMT

Author: telefunker

Posted: 10/07/2009 17:07

i'm gonna give this shit another spin

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

CellarDoor — Wed, 7 Oct 2009 11:22:59 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 10/07/2009 15:22

I can't say that MPP was a big challenge on first listen. Maybe it's because my taste is very much experimental and post-punk orientated nowadays. But before MPP was released there were the other Animal Collective albums, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes and all the evident past influences for the album.
So no, I wasn't surprised by this album. It's very good, but not groundbreaking (classic, influential, whatever..).

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Mr. Shankly — Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:26:49 GMT

Author: Mr. Shankly

Posted: 10/07/2009 04:26

I'm listening to it now, and it's not annoying me as much, which might be a good sign, but I wouldn't say I'm enjoying it either. Too much keyboard and frenetic dance rhythms for my taste. I like the vocal melodies though.

Speaking of my (changing) taste, check out my thread in the lounge section about t indie rock and getting older, and let me know what you think.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

joannajewsom — Tue, 6 Oct 2009 07:35:12 GMT

Author: joannajewsom

Posted: 10/06/2009 11:35

maxperenchio wrote:

That sinister 9/8 groove on Lion in a Coma, "Get into my BEDROOM!" still shakes me

Ain't that the truth.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

maxperenchio — Tue, 6 Oct 2009 01:20:12 GMT

Author: maxperenchio

Posted: 10/06/2009 05:20

Also- if MPP still feels too dense, I think your best bet is to go backwards. Strawberry Jam is a hell of a record, my favorite of 07. Feels has a great first side, as does Sung Tongs, with a lot of leaky drippy wind-down songs on the respective second sides. Definitely a band that gets better with each record.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

maxperenchio — Tue, 6 Oct 2009 01:13:56 GMT

Author: maxperenchio

Posted: 10/06/2009 05:13

Totally a taste thing for sure, Shankly. I guess when I hear music described as a "nonstop sonic assault" and "exhausting" it makes me excited rather than put off. I had been waiting the whole decade for an album just like it- and when I heard the first leak of "My Girls" blasting on my speaks, it shook me to my core in the best possible way. Sonic collage can be unlistenable when it doesn't have a song to steer it, but MPP has songs in spades. It certainly felt way dense to me upon first listen, but I was an enormous admirer after five of six listens- and it ultimately hijacked my stereo for the winter!

That sinister 9/8 groove on Lion in a Coma, "Get into my BEDROOM!" still shakes me

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Boogn1sh — Mon, 5 Oct 2009 21:30:44 GMT

Author: Boogn1sh

Posted: 10/06/2009 01:30

MPP was my introduction to Animal Collective and it makes me sad thinking how many concerts I've missed I could have gone to. I saw them a few months ago and it was very surreal and primitive, felt like thousands of us were gathered like a tribe around a massive fire celebrating the harvest or something, and I don't think it was entirely chemically induced....
Sung Tongs is now my favorite AC album, it's so playful and charming in a childish way.
Favorite MPP songs: Summertime Clothes, Daily Routine, Bluish...amazing 3 song collection at the heart of the album.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

joannajewsom — Sun, 4 Oct 2009 16:43:39 GMT

Author: joannajewsom

Posted: 10/04/2009 20:43

Yeah, it all sounds like one impenetrable wall at first. It took me several listens before my brain started to really deconstruct all the textural components. I'm still trying to figure this one out, but that's the enjoyable part. I know a lot of the lyrics now, though, and now it doesn't sound noisy or claustrophobic to me at all.

I've had Strawberry Jam sitting on my hard drive for about a month and still haven't listened to it, so I couldn't tell you how MMP compares to their other work. I'm too busy enjoying this one to move on.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Mr. Shankly — Sun, 4 Oct 2009 15:04:41 GMT

Author: Mr. Shankly

Posted: 10/04/2009 19:04

So, after reading enthusiastic reviews of this album, I checked it out from the public library. I've listened to it twice all the way through, and I gotta say I want to like it, but ultimately, so far, I don't. Let me explain why. It's too sonically dense for my taste. It's reminiscent of Loveless in that sense. I mean I get what they're after--the whole 60's psychedelia by the way of 2000's production mixed with subtle dance rhythms (sort of Happy Mondays-like) and I like a lot of the tunes, but the 21st century wall of sound gets old quickly. I found myself nostalgic for the days of analog recording (This sounds so digital!). Someone who thinks Kid A is Radiohead's best work will love this album though. (Note: I'm not one of them).

Maybe it's just my taste, but sonic space is so important to the enjoyment of an album, and this one has virtually none (It's what musicians call, knowing what not to play). Listen to Plastic Ono Band or Pink Moon or even The Soft Bulletin to get a sense of what I mean by sonic space. It's like a non-stop sonic musical assault. and the effect is exhausting. This is why I never went to raves. It's a stifling atmosphere that's created on this record. I felt like I was underwater, which is unique and kind of interesting, and this is the reason I want to like it. In other words, I appreciate the artistry of this album, I just don't enjoy it.

I'll listen to it again, and let you know if I change my mind or have a new perspective. Is MMP typical of Animal Collective's work?

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:07:39 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 08/24/2009 17:07

no doubt that its a great album, but my favorite Animal Collective album is still Strawberry Jam

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

joannajewsom — Thu, 6 Aug 2009 14:11:06 GMT

Author: joannajewsom

Posted: 08/06/2009 18:11

No one has mentioned my favorite, "Also Frightened," as a stand out. 🙁

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

maxxy — Thu, 6 Aug 2009 09:58:51 GMT

Author: maxxy

Posted: 08/06/2009 13:58

Some of MPP's tracks are at the top of my ipod's "25 most played," so I know what you mean.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

maxperenchio — Wed, 5 Aug 2009 21:56:59 GMT

Author: maxperenchio

Posted: 08/06/2009 01:56

When I joined this forum today, I just HAD to put MPP it in my top 10 simply because of the amount of listens this year. Its almost embarrassing to admit really, I've probably listened to it more than some of my favorite records from years back!

I found the tunes that took the longest to crack turned out to be the most rewarding ones- like Lion in a Coma and Guys Eyes. Cheers

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Norman Bates — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:06:33 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 07/25/2009 18:06

Great album. Favourite tracks : Brothersport and Summertime clothes. The Beach Boys come to mind too 😄

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

CellarDoor — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:03:34 GMT

Author: CellarDoor

Posted: 07/25/2009 17:03

Polyrhythms, celestial chords, synth patterns, destructured pop.

"Remain In Light" and "Trans-Europe Express" come to mind (a mix of both).

Beauty Lies in the Eye (just to mention the cover art work)

Favourite track : "Daily Routine". Awesome.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

dp39 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:52:38 GMT

Author: dp39

Posted: 06/27/2009 07:52

very intense

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

joannajewsom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:07:43 GMT

Author: joannajewsom

Posted: 06/24/2009 23:07

After listening to it some more, it's clear that both are true: I am a Bjork maniac, and this is very reminiscent of her music. Not a bad thing. I like these guys.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

joannajewsom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:41:08 GMT

Author: joannajewsom

Posted: 06/24/2009 20:41

Am I a Bjork maniac, or do some of these songs have a Homogenic vibe?

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

maxxy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:49:42 GMT

Author: maxxy

Posted: 06/22/2009 19:49

Speaking of animal collective, I came upon one of their unheard-of EPs, Water Curses, for seven bucks so I got it. Don't know why they didn't promote that album--really really good.

Re: Merriweather Post Pavilion

tgodd — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:51:50 GMT

Author: tgodd

Posted: 03/22/2009 06:51

Guys check out Alex Chilton's song "Like Flies on Sherbert" and tell me if you think Animal Collective were as influenced by it as I think they were.