Labels

Animal Collective


Formed: 1999
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Genre: Neo-Psychedelia, Indietronica, Indie Rock
Years Active: 1999 -
Meaning of the Name: They started a label called Animal Records
Core Members: Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist, Deakin
Way of Working: Collaborative

Essential Releases

Dummy

Sung Tongs (2004)

Daring psychedelic folk from the fringe.

Album Title 2

Feels (2005)

Strangely mesmerizing.

Album Title 3

Strawberry Jam (2007)

Mmmmmm... jam.

Album Title 3

Merriweather Post
Pavilion (2009)

More accessible.


Friends since school, the guys from Animal Collective started playing together because they loved the band Pavement. Over time, they became more experimental and embraced the electronic in order to bring their imaginations to life through the use of keyboards and synths. It was barely enough.

Their boundary-pushing style threatens to descend into noise at times by using the grammar of music in uncoventional ways. They found an audience when their melodic impulses came to the fore during their strong, mid-career run, that peaked with Merriweather Post Pavilion.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
65

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
70

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
90

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
70

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
60

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
75

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
85

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
85

Singing

i Technical attributes.
70

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
80

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
75

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
70

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
70

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
80

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
40

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
60

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications >>>

  • Silver Album: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) in UK

Charts

Critics >>>

  • Clash Magazine: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) - #1 Album of the Year
  • KEXP: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) - #1 Album of the Year
  • Mojo Magazine: My Girls (2009) - #1 Song of the Year
  • Pitchfork: Sung Tongs (2004) - #2 Albums of the Year
  • Pitchfork: Strawberry Jam (2007) - #6 Albums of the Year
  • Pitchfork: My Girls (2009) - #1 Song of the Year
  • Pitchfork: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) - #1 Album of the Year
  • Spin: Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) - #1 Album of the Year
  • The Wire: Feels (2005) - #3 Albums of the Year

CONTROVERSY

  • They had an album in 2003 called 'Here Comes the Indian'. In 2020, they changed the name to Ark to avoid offending Native Americans. It's unclear whether any noted indigenous groups lodged a complaint.

  • Band member Deakin launched a kickstarter campaign to play a gig in Africa but never gave his backers their advertised rewards. He later apologised and stated the money was donated to charity.


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