Animal Collective seem to attract a mixed reaction to their work. Over-zealous devotees are as common as people who wish to bludgeon the “experimental” band from Maryland to death with a shiny truncheon. Strawberry Jam which was released in September of last year, is the band’s seventh studio LP.

I came into contact with Animal Collective through my intense admiration for that particular brand of rock that begat the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. A high energy, progressive (in a um… progressive sense) melding of electronic mumblings, Punk and Neil Young. Having a chance encounter with the song Fireworks off of this album, I thought that Animal Collective may be equipped to fill a serious void in my musical happiness left by reaching the end of the music catalogues of those mentioned above.

There are moments of true elation on Strawberry Jam; the aforementioned Fireworks in particular, delighting with its exuberant shouting. The opener Peacebone is also adept at showcasing the band’s sizeable talents; a catchy, hook laden song that does a similar job of giving the listener a shot of glee. This is where Strawberry Jam is at its strongest. With Animal Collective dealing out intriguing creations of real heart and the energy of the drumming giving you a fuzzy head, it is easy to see why they have attracted such a following. One also imagines that much of this music is constructed with performing live in mind; the intense nature of the songs coupled with spaces primed and ready for group interaction. Lyrically and otherwise, the songs contained on this album will most likely instil devotion and adoration in some, while leaving others vomiting cynical pellets into their frappacino. Being a fan of Wayne Coyne’s quizzical leanings, I can’t claim to be adverse to this slightly “quirky” method of delivering anthemic classics to the masses. This kind of music seems to be intent on creating a strong emotional connection between the group and their audience. As such if you are not investing in it, whether it’s due to the singer’s voice or the kind of fans that Animal Collective attracts (EMO!), then you’re definitely not going to get as much out of this album.

The fantastic first half (and a bit) is unfortunately cut short with the strangely detestable #1. The title smacks of the ironic posturing that many find unsavoury in Animal Collective as well as being a decidedly moribund adventure into the closet of pitch shifted vocals. More than anything, it kills the mood that had been established so successfully on the first five tracks.

It is clear that Strawberry Jam is a solid album and there is a period of time where you begin to think that you have something truly special on your hands; that same feeling that you got when you heard The Soft Bulletin for the first time. It’s not *quite* at that level. Well, Jesus, it isn’t near that level. It is however, a highly stimulating album with a lot of very accessible and pleasing songs with some genuinely inspiring moments contained within its jammy grooves.

Bugul

• BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
• « Love is in Blum – I Don’t Burt Anymore
• » Donnie Redux

• BROWSE / IN Music Music Reviews
• « Shameful Music
• » Raphael Saadiq’s New Album!