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It has been three years – a relatively normal time span for the music industry – since the indie experimental/psychedelic rock band Animal Collective released its last full-length album, “Merriweather Post Pavilion.” But for Animal Collective fans, that may seem like ages.
For a band that has released an album almost every year between 2000 and 2009, an unusual amount of time separated “Merriweather Post Pavilion” and “Centipede Hz.” Unfortunately, it seems as though Animal Collective used this time to develop an album that is unusual and confusing.
“Centipede Hz,” Animal Collective’s ninth studio album, is a far cry from the group’s previous record. While “Merriweather Post Pavilion” is a mellow record (as mellow as Animal Collective can get), “Centipede Hz” is a venture into a land of organized chaos, where loud crashes and an infusion of white noise and radio interference is considered “experimental” music. And at fifty-three minutes, this music journey is strenuous and tiring.
This dive into organized chaos is a place Animal Collective has been before. “Centipede Hz” is a return to the band’s louder, more frantic past. The record is filled with nonsensical wailing, out of sync instrumentals and busy theatrics. The psychedelic pop record has the power to paralyze and confuse the listener in the unhealthiest way.
In the album, Animal Collective left no stone unturned, no crevice unfilled. Each second is layered with shrieks and buzzes to annoyingly accompany the band’s lyrics and instrumentals. Every song is plush with noise, an effect that leaves a phony sensation after each listen.
Although a vast portion of the album is dedicated solely to busy and synthetic instrumentals, the music is also lyrical. Of Animal Collective’s two vocalists, Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) and Avey Tare (David Portner), the former is far easier to listen to.
Unfortunately for the band and its fans, Portner occupies a majority of the songs, leaving Lennox and returning band member Deakin (Josh Dibb) to handle the rest. This heavy appearance of Portner is perhaps the most significant downfall of the album, as his ceaseless screaming is helping no one achieve a satisfying musical experience.
The lead single of the album, “Today’s Supernatural,” is one of the few correct choices the band made. After listening to this song, it is clear why the group chose it to precede the others. The combination of lyrics and noises, including a tolerable amount of wailing, embodies the band’s nature perfectly. It is a smart, accessible choice for the first single, one that loyal Animal Collective fans and relative newcomers will appreciate.
The rest of the album will unfortunately leave non-loyalists with a confused, nauseated feeling. The incessant clanging of drums, the high-pitched frequency of the radio interference and the jumbled lyrics are all a recipe for disaster for new listeners. Newcomers will be running for the hills, and most likely their iPods, for salvation from the racket the album produces. “Centipede Hz” is indeed an album for only the most devoted Animal Collective enthusiasts.
“Centipede Hz” is a peculiar listening experience. The never-ending bellowing is tough to hear past, and the radio interference is difficult to tune out. There is an endless number of other, more rewarding records, including earlier Animal Collective work.
In “Monkey Riches,” the eighth track on the album, Portner sings “(looking at the sun) makes me wanna wonder how I even wrote this song … doesn’t almost everyone!” Indeed, everyone will want to know how this misguided album ever came to fruition.
ppl hav diff opinions • Oct 17, 2012 at 12:28 am
whoever wrote this has obviously never taken a psychedelic, because what better music to stimulate the senses of the user then an animal collective album. Hands down another great ablum by animal collective!!!!!!!
ppl hav diff opinions • Oct 17, 2012 at 12:28 am
whoever wrote this has obviously never taken a psychedelic, because what better music to stimulate the senses of the user then an animal collective album. Hands down another great ablum by animal collective!!!!!!!
isenriver • Sep 10, 2012 at 8:32 am
“Unfortunately for the band and its fans, Portner occupies a majority of the songs”
If your a fan of Animal Collective and not just MPP that’s not unfortunate at all.
“Newcomers will be running for the hills”
possibly
If there is criticism you can level at the album, i’d say it could be that it is too sonically dense for some people’s liking but i’m personally loving the jam packed energy that’s just about maintained from start through to finish. In previous albums the high octane moments have always been balanced with more introspective or down tempo ones. If you want to get a handle on this album, and most of their work but to a greater extent in this case, you’ve got to give it time for the melodies to reveal themselves.
yousuck • Sep 8, 2012 at 2:24 am
you can delete the post but you still suck!
yousuck • Sep 8, 2012 at 2:24 am
you can delete the post but you still suck!
yousuck • Sep 8, 2012 at 2:24 am
you can delete the post but you still suck!
yousuck • Sep 8, 2012 at 2:24 am
you can delete the post but you still suck!
YOU SUCK • Sep 8, 2012 at 2:21 am
Uhh, this review is horrible. You clearly do not understand the album at all.
Jimmy Dean • Sep 13, 2012 at 11:08 pm
I am a record producer in the greater Milwaukee area. Quite frankly this review is spot on.
Trent • Sep 14, 2012 at 9:55 am
meaning you work for an industry which puts out repetitive garbage that pushes 0 boundaries. Drop some acid or take a music class, because your appreciation of art music is lacking
Jimmy Dean • Sep 14, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Dammit Trent! Leave me alone!
Jimmy Dean • Sep 14, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Dammit Trent! Leave me alone!