most of the really hyped ones this year i've liked; i thought i might dislike animal collective, i'd only heard a little bit of their older stuff in the car once with a friend, but about midway through the album i was convinced of its excellence. the only regretful purchase this year was deerhoof's friend opportunity which i had trouble getting through every single listen.
Posts: 109 | Location: uwo | Registered: 09 January 2007
Hmm, very interesting choices. I completely agree with whoever said that M.I.A. is worse than hammering a nail into your head. I think Kala might be the worst album i have EVER heard. I hate her first one though as well. I do like the self titled liars more than their other albums (Which, to me, just seem like terrible acid trips), although its definitely not an 8.5. I LOVE panda bear though. It may just be that the Beach Boys are my favorite band and panda bear gives me that nice sunny stoned feeling that they do, but i happen to love how its all put together. If you can, listen to it on vinyl.
By the way, has anyone heard the original SMiLE bootlegs by the beach boys (not the Brian Wilson remake)? I just got ahold of two different versions and they are AMAZING.
The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Posts: 105 | Location: Boulder, CO | Registered: 18 July 2007
By the way, has anyone heard the original SMiLE bootlegs by the beach boys (not the Brian Wilson remake)? I just got ahold of two different versions and they are AMAZING.
How'd you get a hold of them? I'd be VERY interested to hear such a thing. I've been praying for a SMiLE box set to no avail.
Originally posted by *Termina*: I don't get deerhoof; I just can't stand the singer's voice....it's so annoying and painful to listen to.
I'll agree that the vocals are about the only thing keeping Friend Opportunity out of my top 20 for the year. I've tried to have an open mind about it, but her singing really can be annoying at times.
------------------------------------------------------------- What about the voice of Geddy Lee? How did he get so high?
Posts: 91 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 18 December 2007
Jeez, are you me. There is no two bands on the planet right now with which I struggle to understand the why behind the fan fervor more than Animal Collective and Sunset Rubdown.
Occassionally, Krug will do something that blows me away...but Animal Collective is almost constantly befuddling...was listening to Fireworks again a couple of times last night...and still in the end all I came away with was a sense that "This stuff just blows."
That's exactly how I feel as well.
Posts: 592 | Location: kentucky | Registered: 02 October 2007
Originally posted by Illiniq: When I listen to Animal Collective, then read all the praise here and at PK4 like webzines, I feel like I'm trapped in a musical counterpart to "The Emperor's New Clothes"
Not to pile on here, but.... Very well said, Illiniq. With every new Animal Collective release, it's the same thing. Many people and critics (oh, i guess they're people, too?) praise the album, I listen with interest, expectation and an open mind, but can't listen to more than 3-5 songs at a time before clawing at my irritated ears 'til they bleed.
Ditto for Deerhoff. I give almost every release a listen thinking I'll "get it" this time but, like Termina, I can't get past the singer's voice.
As Henry Rollins and Bill Shatner said: "I can't get behind that." Been listening to Shatner's "Has Been" lately. It was surprisingly good in 04 and wears well.
ok so i listened to liars again, its a little better, but just not consistent. take the last 3 tracks. the last one is a great song. the 2nd to last is simply boring. the 3rd to last sounds like a weak attempt at fugazi. at times i can see why this album is 8.5, but at times no way. if give it about a 7.0
Originally posted by Illiniq: When I listen to Animal Collective, then read all the praise here and at PK4 like webzines, I feel like I'm trapped in a musical counterpart to "The Emperor's New Clothes"
Not to pile on here, but.... Very well said, Illiniq. With every new Animal Collective release, it's the same thing. Many people and critics (oh, i guess they're people, too?) praise the album, I listen with interest, expectation and an open mind, but can't listen to more than 3-5 songs at a time before clawing at my irritated ears 'til they bleed.
Ditto for Deerhoff. I give almost every release a listen thinking I'll "get it" this time but, like Termina, I can't get past the singer's voice.
.
Piling on: Other than a few random songs (notably/recently Winter Wonder Land that kind of rocks) I am not on board the Animal Collective love train. I picture a group of scrawny, scraggly semi-bearded guys whooping it up playing cowboys and Indians, wearing faux-fur headdresses and coonskin caps. After play, a vegan lunch of seitan and tofu turkey sandwiches. I can't really get into it.
I can understand the twee-asian vocals turnoff with Deerhoof, nonetheless it works for me most of the time, providing a playful, at times even melodic counterpoint to the crunchy guitar work. One instance where it does not work, however, is on "Kidz Are So Small" when she sings "If I were a man, and you a dog, I'd throw a stick for you (small dog barks in the background)..." accompanied by only a basic drumbeat. Definitely. Need. (Heavy). Instrumental. Accompaniment.
Posts: 121 | Location: boston | Registered: 31 December 2006
I've had real trouble getting into sitting down and really listening to animal collective. and person pitch i just can't seem to enjoy, although it sounds nice enough...
With Burial I found the first album impenetrable until I heard Untrue. Interviews with him also helped to understand what he's aiming for. Genius.
Posts: 89 | Location: Hull, UK | Registered: 23 November 2007
I'm glad to see otherwise. I have a feeling this next comment will be borderline blasphemous, but hey, it's how I feel: Sound of Silver. After a great couple opening songs ("Get Innocuous" just KILLS), the album takes a tumble downhill. I'm still trying to understand why people love songs like "Someone Great" and "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down." Musically, they're boring, and lyrically they're pretentious without being amusing. Others include: Bjork's new album (mostly boring, and why does EVERYONE need to dabble with political lyrics these days?), Band of Horses (bland), Jens Lekman (unappealing lounge music). To address the "In Rainbows" issue, the "problem" with that album isn't that it's bad, but that it's hyped as Radiohead's return to form, when they never really stopped being amazing.
Couldn't agree with you more on all accounts! Especially that last bit about Radiohead.
The Field - From Here We Go Sublime and Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the Decline.
I simply do not see what's so amazing about a bunch of tones slowly fading in and out for an hour. Pitchfork practically compared The Field to Mozart! Just, no.
Doc note, I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness! I diet on cod.
Beirut's The Flying Club Cup. Toward the end it gets better, but for the most part I cannot stand the way he sings, particularly when he piles on the vocal layers, each with heavy vibrato. I also don't like the way the songs are built. Most of them hit a climax within the first 40 seconds of heavy vocal layering, and it's kind of like I'm being hit over the head while drowning. Some of the music is wonderful, but it's definitely not my style.
I'm starting to understand Spoon a bit more; Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga placed 49th on my list, but would probably be closer to 30 right now. I guess I can "get" why this album, The Stage Names, or Neon Bible would place in someone's top ten, but that person would have to have much different musical values than I.
Strawberry Jam, on the other hand, is my favorite album of the year... I guess I can see why someone would hate Animal Collective, but I am very glad I don't. I could listen to Strawberry Jam, Feels, and, to a lesser extent, Sung Tongs, forever.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rygar,
I really don't see the appeal of Battles. After hearing such good things about them, I downloaded the album, and I was absolutely positive it was a joke. Downloaded it from a second source and was just baffled that anyone could enjoy it. I'd be embarrassed to listen to that music in front of anyone.
I wholeheartedly agree with anyone who says M.I.A., not really sure I understand the enamoration there. Oh and The Field. Seriously. I don't even know where to begin.
