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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
An incredible band, 12 Aug 2005
Animal Collective are, for me at least, one of the most exciting, unusual and enjoyable bands in recent years. This CD compiles the first and second albums in one handy package and is very good value for money. "Spirit..." is probably my favourite and is more melodic than "Danse Manatee". The music is difficult to describe but I would say it's an offbeat mix of psychedelia, pop and electronics. The tracks are quite unusual and experimental particularly towards the beginning of the record. In fact the first track alone features what sounds like a high pitched detuned radio and "Untitled" contains some pretty abrasive guitar (?) feedback with dramatic piano bursts. Yet despite all this, Animal Collective have a really good grasp of melody and I find myself humming parts of their songs to myself. It's the combination of catchy melodies and all out weirdness that does it for me. "Chocolate girl" is a beautiful summery psychedelic song that gradually builds up and changes towards the end. The final track, "Alvin Row" begins with what sounds like an entire drum kit being thrown down the stairs but then evolves into a relaxing and slightly melancholic song. Then it changes again later combining tense piano bursts, a few screams and some dreamy singing. Most of the songs are structured in this unconventional manner and it makes for exciting listening. "Danse Manatee" is enjoyable too but is a more difficult album to get into. For the most part it dispenses with song structures and relies more on textures and noises creating an overall atmosphere. For this reason it works best as a whole, rather than as individual tracks. You can tell it is the same band but the approach is quite different and new listeners may find it too impenetrable at first. Yet the elements that make up the band are still there - the sad dreamy vocals, the acoustic guitars, the electronics etc. It's just the structure that has changed and I must admit it has taken me a while to appreciate but after several plays, it's really beginning to grow on me. Animal Collective have made more albums since, each one revealing another side to their unique sound. "Sung Tongs" is probably the best place to start for newcomers but to me, everything they have done is essential.
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