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Amazon.co.uk Review
Almost unnoticed, Animal Collective have made it to their eighth album, moving to major-indie Domino for the cutely titled Strawberry Jam. And that doesn’t even include the wealth of solo records and side projects that Polar Bear, Avey Tare, Geologist and Deacon (not their real names) have been involved with. Strawberry Jam has even made the American charts, the New York-based band promoting it on America’s late night chat show circuit. Yet though this might be their most commercially successful record yet, it still defies easy categorisation. Songs are largely built around electronic sequences, but it certainly isn’t dance music. Lyrics often present a narrative, but it’s hardly folk. But yelped vocals and wildly unpredictable arrangements can’t distract from the straightforward quality of songs like "Winter Wonderland", the desperately seedy "Reverend Green" and the unsettling "Unsolved Mysteries", virtually a journey from birth to death in a matter of minutes. The sinister "#1" is one unlikely tune to play on network TV. Loosely affiliated with a supposed ‘new weird America’ scene, which, if it exists at all, describes a younger generation inspired by the loose band model defined by veterans Flaming Lips, Animal Collective’s agitated and original approach is the new mainstream. --Steve Jelbert
Review
On the back of Strawberry Jam, it might be useful to compare Animal Collective with Mercury Rev. Certainly, the latter band were once something of experimental proposition - fronted by the unhinged personality of David Baker and with a blurry and unfocussed sound to match. This formula frequently produced glorious records, but it was not made to last. Hence, in the late 90's the Rev took a right-turn and cut their one bona fide classic, Deserters Songs.
In 2007, Animal Collective (that's Panda Bear, Avey Tare, Deakin and Geologist) hold a similar position. After six albums of wayward hit-and-miss experimentalism, previous outing, Feels revealed a more linear approach to music-making. Not linear in the accepted sense of the word; but at times there was the definite whiff of 'chorus' and 'verse', even if these soon descended into a bubbling mix of chaos.
Strawberry Jam continues this evolution: influenced in equal measure by the Beach Boys, Frank Zappa and the outer peripheries of freak folk, it mostly sounds like a hippy sect howling harmonies while trapped in a psychedelic wormhole. Songs shift continually, instruments come and go, and whooping war cries drop in and drop out.
On the likes of 'Fireworks' and 'Winter Wonder Land' the results are a never-ending cosmic jam session, while '#1' takes replicates the repetitive discipline of techno on real instruments. The ability to confound and surprise is retained, not only in the same song, but, in the case of lead single 'Peacebone', often in the same moment.
As a result, Strawberry Jam is never inaccessible, but will be recommended for anyone who likes music as a Chinese puzzle. Those wanting more lasting - though no less head-expanding - pleasures are best directed towards Panda Bear's solo album of this year, Person Pitch. But this is one band who won't be heading towards the road's middle for some time yet. --Adam Webb
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Animal Collective have struck gold once again with their latest release, "Strawberry Jam". They are one of the few bands around who have a fresh approach with each album whilst retaining elements that made them so distinctive in the first place.
Some reviews for this album have mentioned that "Strawberry Jam" is their most accessible release so far but to be honest it's more abrasive and frantic than their previous album "Feels" which was dreamy and relaxed by comparison.
"Cuckoo Cuckoo" for example starts off slow and haunting before exploding into a chaotic burst of wild noise and intense vocals. "For Reverend Green" has short bursts of screaming too and the guitars sound pretty menacing and distorted.
What is more accessible, I suppose, is the tracks have a more traditional composition in that there are distinctive verse and chorus parts to the songs. Some of their previous work favoured longer more abstract structures that slowly unravelled and changed.
Animal Collective greatest strength is their ability to combine very strong melodies with experimental elements. "Peacebone" for example starts with a bizarre electronic noise that somehow merges itself into the guitar and drums (the video is fantastic by the way). "For Reverend Green" is intense but has some really melodic backing vocals (it's also my favourite track). "Fireworks" is playful and contains some catchy vocals, heavily treated guitar and melodic piano parts.
"Chores" and "Derek" appear to be sung by Panda Bear and the latter track certainly resembles something from "Person Pitch" which he released earlier this year. These tracks are light hearted and upbeat although still retaining the group's slightly odd approach to music.
However it is Avey Tares vocals that seem to dominate the album and appear higher in the mix than normal. Some people aren't keen on his vocal style but personally I love the way he uses his voice. His lyrics are occasionally surreal and sometimes there is a hint of sadness and nostalgia present.
The majority of "Strawberry Jam" is lively and psychedelic and the more relaxed and dreamy side to their music is almost completely absent. This is not to say that the album lacks atmosphere, far from it, but the focus seems to be on the noisier side of their collective personality. "# 1" is quite mellow except for the disturbing heavily treated vocals that give it a creepy edge. Samples and background noises are also more prominent too which gives the album another dimension.
So overall it is another great album, different but brilliant. The songs sound fresh and inspired and I've listened to nothing else since it was released. I've no idea what they'll do next but I can't wait.
Some reviews for this album have mentioned that "Strawberry Jam" is their most accessible release so far but to be honest it's more abrasive and frantic than their previous album "Feels" which was dreamy and relaxed by comparison.
"Cuckoo Cuckoo" for example starts off slow and haunting before exploding into a chaotic burst of wild noise and intense vocals. "For Reverend Green" has short bursts of screaming too and the guitars sound pretty menacing and distorted.
What is more accessible, I suppose, is the tracks have a more traditional composition in that there are distinctive verse and chorus parts to the songs. Some of their previous work favoured longer more abstract structures that slowly unravelled and changed.
Animal Collective greatest strength is their ability to combine very strong melodies with experimental elements. "Peacebone" for example starts with a bizarre electronic noise that somehow merges itself into the guitar and drums (the video is fantastic by the way). "For Reverend Green" is intense but has some really melodic backing vocals (it's also my favourite track). "Fireworks" is playful and contains some catchy vocals, heavily treated guitar and melodic piano parts.
"Chores" and "Derek" appear to be sung by Panda Bear and the latter track certainly resembles something from "Person Pitch" which he released earlier this year. These tracks are light hearted and upbeat although still retaining the group's slightly odd approach to music.
However it is Avey Tares vocals that seem to dominate the album and appear higher in the mix than normal. Some people aren't keen on his vocal style but personally I love the way he uses his voice. His lyrics are occasionally surreal and sometimes there is a hint of sadness and nostalgia present.
The majority of "Strawberry Jam" is lively and psychedelic and the more relaxed and dreamy side to their music is almost completely absent. This is not to say that the album lacks atmosphere, far from it, but the focus seems to be on the noisier side of their collective personality. "# 1" is quite mellow except for the disturbing heavily treated vocals that give it a creepy edge. Samples and background noises are also more prominent too which gives the album another dimension.
So overall it is another great album, different but brilliant. The songs sound fresh and inspired and I've listened to nothing else since it was released. I've no idea what they'll do next but I can't wait.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's true, I did wake up this morning full of an ageing mans' woes. As a remedial measure, I decided to listen to my new arrival, 'Strawberry Jam". It was the right thing to do...AC have a rare talent, they make me smile, not so much with amusement, but with pleasure. Pascal Comelade has the same affect on me, as do 'The Fiery Furnaces", and it is perhaps no surprise that I find resonances of both musicians in Animal Collective. The music is complex, clever and inventive, often sounding like the strangest fairground sideshow underpinned by a Philip Glass foundation. I'm also tempted to say 'Band of Holy Joy' meets 'Eyeless in Gaza', or 'Clap your Hands, Say Yeah' meets 'Steve Reich', but those kind of comparisons are very subjective, and I don't wish to paint AC critically speaking into a corner at a time when their freshness and exuberance serve them so well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I saw Animal Collective in Summer 2007, after falling in love with such an original and mesmerising sound and was blown away by their live performance. Little did I know that what we heard that evening was to become Strawberry Jam a few months later, and what an exciting arrangement of music it is. Throwing noises and rhythmic sounds with a subtle electronic upbeat style AC have done it again, creating in my opinion one of the best albums of last year.
You just have to hear the opening of Peacebone to understand what I mean. Overall a completely otherworldly sensual experience with the highlights of Reverend Green, Fireworks and of course the magnificent Peacebone. If you enjoy the wave of new experimental audio or are looking for something completely different, ceck out Animal Collective and Strawberry Jam.
You just have to hear the opening of Peacebone to understand what I mean. Overall a completely otherworldly sensual experience with the highlights of Reverend Green, Fireworks and of course the magnificent Peacebone. If you enjoy the wave of new experimental audio or are looking for something completely different, ceck out Animal Collective and Strawberry Jam.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sublime
I simply have to pass my own opinion of this record, it is truly fantastic. As it has been said many times, AC's work is somewhat divisive, some of my friends love it but some just... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Arcade
its not great but its good
animal collective are probably one of the weirdest bands you will ever hear and i suppose they're like marmite you love them or you hate them. Read more
Published 10 months ago by jezzar
Glorious sweet heaven
I first heard '#1' on a CD sampler from Uncut magazine and was greatly impressed
and then read the 4 star reviews in Q and Uncut magazines and decided to buy
the album. Read more
and then read the 4 star reviews in Q and Uncut magazines and decided to buy
the album. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2009 by Troy 13
The more is listen the less i want to
This isnt as good as 'feels' or 'sung tongs'. Its not even better than the new record they are going to release. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by V. Ward
Odd
This is wierd stuff. I stumbled upon this by accident and thought it might be worth a go with several glowing reviews. I was wrong. Read more
Published on 30 April 2008 by Richard B. Cockbain
yeahyeahYESYS
I'm not sure how this happened, this isn't the Animal Collective I know! Where's the aimless folk and forced quirkiness? Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2008 by 77
Strawberry Jam Forever!
take note of the other reviewer who said this may make a lot of your recent album purchses sound boring and uninspired! Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2007 by D. Salmon
Messy but sweet
This is great! It's like a really hectic, psychedelic mixture of They Might Be Giants, The Beach Boys, The Beta band and loads of other great stuff all mixed up with weird dinosaur... Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2007 by B. Kirchner
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