Music Review: Merriweather Post Pavillion - Animal Collective

I'll say it right now. I am in love with Animal Collective. So far, by any of the changes they've made in their music, I have yet to be alienated. I admit though, "Winter Wonderland" from Strawberry Jam did have me worried. I mean it sounded just as weird as the Animal Collective I have grown to love, but there was something a little too poppy about it. That being said, Merriweather Post Pavillion has some of the best "pop songs" that have been written in years.

Now don't let that scare you away. Merriweather is still an acid trip and a half, it just happens to be fucking catchy at the same time. Many of the tracks just make you want to do more than just nod your head and shyly tap your feet. No, many of these songs don't ask, they demand you stand up and shamelessly dance infront of your family and friends. When the claps kick in on the chorus of the masterpiece that is "My Girls", it makes you wonder why this isn't played in every club across the nation.

"Brothersport" is yet another pop song on heavy hallucinogens. The song starts off with Panda Bear singing a catchy tune, then it moves into an experimental breakdown until the original tune finds its way back, slowly building and building, working itself into a fervor until it explodes into an enormous dance party in your headphones.

"In The Flowers" exhibits the giddy Animal Collective we are all accustomed to, with one of the most psychedelic synths I've heard in a while, and "No More Runnin'" is the slow moving chill-out staple of the album.

Panda Bear was quoted saying that he believed this is Animal Collective's best record so far. Do I agree? It's hard to say when a band changes their sound every album, but it's definitely up there. Merriweather Post Pavillion is perfectly produced, each song has sparkling highs and booming bass hits. Every piece of the album sonically jumps out and makes itself known. There isn't a track that could be called filler, each song fits onto the album without sounding too similar to eachother.

If you are going to listen to an album this year that has a man shouting "lyin' in a coma" make it this one.

Rating: 5/5

-Lucas Thurston