musicleech » Animal Collective http://musicleech.com Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:38:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 My Top Albums 2009 http://musicleech.com/2010/01/17/my-top-albums-2009/ http://musicleech.com/2010/01/17/my-top-albums-2009/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:40:41 +0000 Rad Parker http://musicleech.com/?p=3141 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> I realize I am putting this out really late. I always put this off until winter break, thinking I'll have tons of time to listen to the albums, but always underestimate how much I actually need to listen to. But honestly, that isn't a bad thing. I think we are living in a time where there is a lot more new and interesting stuff coming out than ever before. Last year, I probably listened to about 75 albums for my top albums article. Some of them only half way through (because I could tell they wouldn't make the cut) and some in excess of 20 times. I don't feel like doing the math on that, but it takes an incredible amount of time. This year I stepped my game up and literally wrote down every album that made it on at least a few top lists from around the music blog, newspaper, magazine community, including the big wigs: pitchfork, sterogum, prefix, spin, etc.

I think most top lists aren't really substantial if they don't talk about what makes albums 'top albums'. I want to let you know what helped me decide. Basically, I listened to albums all the way through and gave each song a rating (1-5). A 3 being a song that is good, but nothing special. A 4 being a song that is something special, but you can get tired of it. 5s are songs that never get old and never get skipped. I once heard someone say that if you could only keep 1000 songs from your library, they would be all of the 4s and 5s.  Then I check out what each album averages, giving extra points for originality, interesting overall themes, track cohesion, genre mixing, or basically anything that makes it more of an album than a bunch of songs.

Now, once I have a list of albums that are generally agreed upon to be good by the blog community, I go through and weed out bands with sounds that I know I won't find appealing. Albums that are automatically omitted include basically anyone who doesn't make their own music or write their own lyrics, anything considered pop punk, alternative metal, or anything termed just rock or pop, because frankly, I'm not interested. Does that make me seem like a music snob? Kinda. Do I try to be unbiased when the headphones are on? You bet.

This year I at least tried out about 100 albums. If you have any comments, questions, or albums you think should have been considered, drop me a line below.

1. Phoenix -

Wolfgang

Amadeus

Phoenix

Phoenix - "1901"

2. Grizzly

Bear -

Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"

3. The

xx -

xx

The xx - "Crystalised"

4. Animal Collective -

Merriweather

Post

Pavilion

Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes"

5. Real

Estate -

Real

Estate

Real Estate - "Beach Comber"


6. The

Flaming

Lips -

Embryonic

The Flaming Lips - "Watching the Planets"

7. Girls -

Album

Girls - "Laura"

8. The Smith Westerns -

The

Smith

Westerns

The Smith Westerns - "Tonight"

9. Neon

Indian -

Psychic

Chasms

Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer"

10. Cymbals Eat Guitars -

Why There

Are

Mountains

Cymbals Eat Guitars - "And the Hazy Sea"

2009 Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

Mos Def - The Ecstatic
Passion Pit – Manners
Drummer - Feel Good Together
Atlas Sound – Logos
The Antlers – Hospice
Blakroc – Blakroc
Woods - Songs of Shame
10 ft. Ganja Plant - Bushrock
Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
The Strange Boys – The Strange Boys and Girls Club
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II
Miike Snow - Miike Snow
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

EP, Mixtape, Compilation, and other non-album Mentions:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP
Kid Cudi - Dat Kid From Cleveland Mixtape
Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape
Wale - Back to the Feature Mixtape
Toro Y Moi - My Touch EP
The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches - The Dark Side of the Moon (Cover Album)
Various Artists - Dark Was the Night Compilation
Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP
Modest Mouse - No Ones First and Your Next EP
Washed Out – Life of Leisure EP
Deerhunter - Rainwater Casette Exchange EP
Various Artists – Underwater Peoples Summertime Showcase 2009

For comparison's sake, here is my list from 2008:

  1. deerhunter - microcastle
  2. little joy - little joy
  3. plants and animals - parc avenue
  4. mgmt - oracular spectacular
  5. los campesinos! - hold on now, youngster
  6. vampire weekend - vampire weekend
  7. the dodos - visiter
  8. bon iver - for emma, forever ago
  9. the sea and cake - car alarm
  10. starfucker - starfucker

2008 honorable mentions (in no particular order):

lil' wayne - tha carter III
white denim - white denim
atlas sound - let the blind lead those who can see but cannot feel
the ruby suns - sea lion
women - women
beach house - devotion
q-tip - renaissance
albert hammond, jr. - ¿como te llama?
dr dog - fate
girl talk - feed the animals
hot chip - made in the dark
french kicks - swimming
passion pit - chunk of change ep
cut copy - in ghost colours
black keys - attack & release



No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2010/01/17/my-top-albums-2009/feed/ 3 The best xmas gift for Animal Collective fans http://musicleech.com/2009/12/19/the-best-xmas-gift-for-animal-collective-fans/ http://musicleech.com/2009/12/19/the-best-xmas-gift-for-animal-collective-fans/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:45:11 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=2972 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Merriweather Post Pavilion kicked off everyone's year with some crazy album art, so it's only fitting (no pun intended) to close it out the same way! Stereogum says it's for your girls...

mpp-t-shirt1

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/12/19/the-best-xmas-gift-for-animal-collective-fans/feed/ 1 While We Were Out: Animal Collective, Yeasayer, Kid Cudi, Gucci Mane… http://musicleech.com/2009/12/14/while-we-were-out-animal-collective-yeasayer-kid-cudi-gucci-mane/ http://musicleech.com/2009/12/14/while-we-were-out-animal-collective-yeasayer-kid-cudi-gucci-mane/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:30:44 +0000 Rad Parker http://musicleech.com/?p=2925 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> So, tons of great music came out over the last month as we were studying for finals. In an effort to reward our viewers for sticking around, I have loaded this post with everything worthy of your ear's time.

From their latest release Fall Be Kind EP (this is the song that has been getting a lot of buzz because it samples an old Grateful Dead song, "Unbroken Chain"):

Animal Collective - What Would I Want? Sky

Kid Cudi – Pursuit Of Happiness (Steve Aoki Dance Remix)

From their upcoming release Odd Blood (and when I say upcoming, I mean already leaked):

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Gucci Mane – Dangers Not a Stranger (Diplo Remix)

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/12/14/while-we-were-out-animal-collective-yeasayer-kid-cudi-gucci-mane/feed/ 0 Animal Collective’s ‘ODDSAC’ to debut at Sundance 2010 http://musicleech.com/2009/12/05/animal-collectives-oddsac-to-debut-at-sundance-2010/ http://musicleech.com/2009/12/05/animal-collectives-oddsac-to-debut-at-sundance-2010/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:38:41 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=2883 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> For the past two years, the band has been working on a 'visual album', and it's set to debut this January at the Sundance Film Festival.

Guitarist/singer Avey Tare had the following to say about it: "It's kinda like a psychedelic film , it's not like a narrative film or anything... There are more cohesive moments in it, but then there are some that are a little more abstract."

"We tried to make the music go along with the visuals as much as possible... We didn't want it to sound just like a soundtrack, but then we didn't want it to be like a music video either."

Animal Collective MySpace

Animal Collective's Fall Be Kind EP

[via NME]

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/12/05/animal-collectives-oddsac-to-debut-at-sundance-2010/feed/ 1 New Animal Collective – “Bleeding” (Live) http://musicleech.com/2009/11/14/new-animal-collective-bleeding-live/ http://musicleech.com/2009/11/14/new-animal-collective-bleeding-live/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:34:12 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=2760 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> animal_collective

After breaking out with Merriweather Post Pavilion (Merriweather Post Pavilion), AC fans should be sitting comfortably awaiting the album's follow-up EP Fall Be Kind, which is out 12/14 on Domino.

In the meantime, check out this track that is part of the Brothersport 10" that was just released.

"Bleeding" (Live):

If you've seen AC live you know they try not to stick to the script, drawing out and interweaving most songs in their set. This one lasts for nearly ten minutes, and from the looks of it it's a drawn out version of "Bleed" which is track three on Fall Be Kind. Happy listening!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/11/14/new-animal-collective-bleeding-live/feed/ 1 New Animal Collective EP out this Winter http://musicleech.com/2009/10/09/new-animal-collective-ep-out-this-winter/ http://musicleech.com/2009/10/09/new-animal-collective-ep-out-this-winter/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:07:57 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=2469 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> After their 2007 album Strawberry Jam, the band put out an EP (Water Curses) of tracks that they wrote during the same time period that didn't quite fit on the record. Turns out they're during the same thing this Winter after their summery hit Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Fall Be Kind, a play on "fall behind", will consist of five tracks: "Graze", "What Would I Want? Sky", "Bleed", "On a Highway", and "I Think I Can". Avey Tare says "the mood of it has just a little bit more of a nighttime, kind of dark, sad vibe" but that it still sounds very much like the band that made Merriweather. It just won't be "so rhythmic, or at least not as much as Merriweather is. It's a little bit more washy and kind of orchestral."

Here's the album cover:

fallbekind452

Head over to Pitchfork for a lengthy chat with Avey Tare about the EP, a movie he's working on, the band's planned year-long tour hiatus, and why they never played a show at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Maryland venue their last album was named after.

The wait begins!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/10/09/new-animal-collective-ep-out-this-winter/feed/ 3 Old People: Jeezy > Animal Collective http://musicleech.com/2009/03/23/old-people-jeezy-animal-collective/ http://musicleech.com/2009/03/23/old-people-jeezy-animal-collective/#comments Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:20:21 +0000 Rad Parker http://musicleech.com/?p=1513 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

According to the most intelligent music critics I've ever heard, older folks are more likely to be down with Young Jeezy than Animal Collective.

As a part of Scrapple.tv's Breakfast At Sulimay's web video series, three very seasoned listeners got a taste of new releases from both Jeezy and Animal Collective.

First, they get to try out Young Jeezy's "Black Dreams". The panel was split over the song, one listener giving a very comprehensive summary of the song's main themes by saying "I liked the tune, I just like it" and another criticizing Jeezy's influence as a prominent African American, saying that the tune takes him "right into the ghetto". Although, I'm pretty sure that is what Jeezy was going for.

Next, they try out Animal Collective's latest single, "My Girls" from their latest release, Merriweather Post Pavilion. The group of old folks quickly tire of a song that is known for being anything but boring. One of the listeners gets a headache from the music and lyrics being repetitious, while the others didn't like it all, one even mentioning that he doubts "that this group will get very far from Baltimore, Maryland". Maybe that guy should do his research: Animal Collective is currently on a world tour that has them visiting 13 different countries which happen to be pretty far from Baltimore.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/03/23/old-people-jeezy-animal-collective/feed/ 0 MP3: Animal Collective: “My Girls” (Hatchmatik Disco Version) http://musicleech.com/2009/03/04/mp3-animal-collective-my-girls-hatchmatik-disco-version/ http://musicleech.com/2009/03/04/mp3-animal-collective-my-girls-hatchmatik-disco-version/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:31:51 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=1492 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> I just realized Merriweather is kinda remixable! Hatchmatik takes a standard techno approach to the song, which isn't necessarily bad, but some of the dynamics of the original get ruined aka the first a cappella. That Gigamesh one though...

MP3: Animal Collective: "My Girls" (Hatchmatik Disco Version)

hatchmatik

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/03/04/mp3-animal-collective-my-girls-hatchmatik-disco-version/feed/ 0 Sasquatch > Bonnaroo? http://musicleech.com/2009/02/24/sasquatch-or-bonnaroo/ http://musicleech.com/2009/02/24/sasquatch-or-bonnaroo/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:59:56 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=1437 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> sasquatch-lineup09-pic_210x

I can guarantee one thing: Sasquatch will not pull a Langerado.

A handful of big names overlap with Bonnaroo, but that's not a bad thing considering how far apart they are from each other: Sasquatch is in Washington state and Bonnaroo (lineup) is in Tennessee. Both still have more artists to add, but already it seems like both are upgraded from last year. I don't think Bonnaroo can be called a jam band festival anymore, but it's a wee bit more chill than its intensely indie counterpart. West Coast, start rounding up the troops.

Sasquatch! 2009 lineup
Jane's Addiction (feat. all four original members)
Kings of Leon
Nine Inch Nails
Ben Harper & Relentless7
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Erykah Badu
The Decemberists
Fleet Foxes
TV On The Radio
Animal Collective
Silversun Pickups
Bon Iver
Santigold
Of Montreal
Explosions In The Sky
Devotchka
Peter Bjorn & John
Gogol Bordello
M. Ward
The Avett Brothers
Doves
Calexico
Grizzly Bear
M83
Girl Talk
The Gaslight Anthem
The Walkmen
Chromeo (dj set)
Deadmau5
Mugison
Sun Kil Moon
Airborne Toxic Event
Blitzen Trapper
Shearwater
BLK JKS
The Wrens
Tobacco
Monotonix
King Khan & The Shrines
St. Vincent
Passion Pit
John Vanderslice
Bishop Allen
Blind Pilot
AA Bondy
Black Moth Super Rainbow
The Knux
Ra Ra Riot
The Dodos
Beach House
Arthur & Yu
The Submarines
Owl City
Viva Voce
James Pants
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
The Builders & The Butchers
The Dutchess & The Duke
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Dent May & His Magnificent Ukelele
Fences
School of Seven Bells
Death Vessel
Horse Feathers
Hockey
Point Juncture, WA
The Pica Beats
Loch Lomond
Vince Mira
Comedians:
Zach Galifiankas
Demetri Martin
Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job
Todd Barry
Jon Benjamin
God's Pottery
People's Republic of Komedy

Bands playing at both festivals:
Nine Inch Nails
of Montreal
Animal Collective
Santogold (now Santigold)
TV on the Radio
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Bon Iver
Grizzly Bear
Girl Talk
Ben Harper & Relentless7

Tickets for Sasquatch! go on sale this Saturday (2/28) at 10am at for $154.40/$56.50 (three-day pass/single-day pass) if you buy them over the weekend. Once Monday hits prices will be bumped up to $199.50/$66.50. Buy them here.

Oh, and this could be the last Nine Inch Nails tour ever, so take your pick: Sasquatch or Bonnaroo?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/02/24/sasquatch-or-bonnaroo/feed/ 0 Bonnaroo Announces 2009 Initial Lineup http://musicleech.com/2009/02/03/bonnaroo-announces-2009-initial-lineup/ http://musicleech.com/2009/02/03/bonnaroo-announces-2009-initial-lineup/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:08:55 +0000 Mark Jackson http://musicleech.com/?p=1381 Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> The king of summer festivals is back on the beautiful 700-acre Manchester farm in June (11th-14th), and the announcement of (some of) the performers came this morning.

The lineup is packed full of big names and great accompanying artists. Metallica and Kanye are gone this year (YES!), and Phish is bringing back Bonnaroo as a jam band festival, doing two shows over the four days.  It could use a dosage of hip-hop though, so hopefully that comes with the next announcement (last year I got front row for Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli followed - needless to say it was a highlight of the festival). Other than that, the lineup is spectacular. We'll let you know when more artists get announced. 

See the whole thing at bonnaroo.com. Tickets go on sale Feb. 7. The first wave sold out already (before the artists were even announced), so the next price level is $234.50, then $249.50 once those sell out.

bonnaroo_aerial_1280x1024

Image via BandBuilder.com

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

]]> http://musicleech.com/2009/02/03/bonnaroo-announces-2009-initial-lineup/feed/ 2