Merriweather Post Pavilion

It’s safe to say that obsessive Animal Collective fans have been slowly building themselves up into a frenzy in preparation for their ninth slab of wax Merriweather Post Pavilion. Over the last few months there have been countless blogs about the album debating all the various message board leaks, with the faithful already declaring their latest work as genius. Animal Collective are one of those bands that really split opinion with their detractors as vocal as their fanbase but Merriweather Post Pavilion sees the four-some mellow their sound and embrace the mainstream, yet still maintaining their unique and worldly schizoid vision.
Every sound you could ever think of is incorporated into the record. West African rhythms, pulsing electro beats and English folk music all nestle together under the guiding hand of AC mainstays and co-vocalists Avey Tare and Panda Bear creating a huge, colossal noise of their own. ‘Brother Sport’s samba beat and hookladen melodies makes it an instant classic, ‘Lion In A Coma’ marks the band as being the first people to make good use of a didgerdoo since Rolf Harris first puffed his way onto our TV screens and ‘My Girls’ is one of those tracks that everyone needs to hear.
For the last decade Animal Collective have dedicated their lives to making music that they can call their own and Merriweather Post Collective sees them finally come up with the goods. While some may balk at the sheer volume of ideas on the album, the rest of you will delight in spending the next 12 months picking the record apart.

Key Track: ‘Lion In A Coma’