The world is such a different place in 2009. What I mean is that it’s hard even to imagine that there was a time before Merriweather Post Pavilion. Back in the dark days all we could do was check Animal Collective’s homepage and try and make sense of their bits of video weirdness, because that’s a thing that bloggers do. These included montages of fishes and tracklists that looked like they were filmed underwater. Even now, the homepage features a wacky catfish. All of this probably relates to what the band recently told the NY Times about the album:
“We had this idea of it being, like, a lagoon,” Mr. Weitz said in a restaurant in this upstate New York town, where the band was working on a collaborative project with the filmmaker Danny Perez. “And there’s this concert, and we’re playing underwater in the Merriweather Post Pavilion of that lagoon,” referring to an amphitheater in Columbia, a Baltimore suburb.
Mr. Lennox added: “Not deep water, though. Shallow water. Submerged. Like a coral reef.” Mr. Weitz and Mr. Portner nodded sheepishly.
Aha. That explains a lot! (That does not explain a lot.) At the very least though, the first half of the video for “My Girls” has an attending coral-reef-lagoon-pavilion vibe: Panda, Avey, and Geologist are set off as Apple ad silhouettes (but with great teeth) against sea greens and later coral reds, bubbles bubbling, etc., until they become monsters and drip away. Even though their instruments and soundboards appear true to form throughout, you’re obviously drawn to the three bodies bobbing and singing. Which is sorta fitting given the band’s trajectory: despite lurking in the shadows and trying to keep the focus on their music, you can’t deny there’s a growing cult of personality around each of these guys.
Merriweather Post Pavilion is out and it is the best album of 2009 maybe. But that is so this year: here’s what their next album is shaping up like.
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I hope they don’t get sick with all those germs around
who are you?
hope they don’t get sick? dude, didn’t you watch the video? they clearly got the dissolving/dripping disease there at the end.
it’s such a sad way to go. and from such promising musicians, too.
MUSE
yay for group think
it’s the best video of 2009.
don’t you know?
tripppy video
so lagoony!
ur hot and all but that is one gay comment…
i got the local radio station to play them 94.9 bitches
Are these the same guys who make their instuments out of giant pvc pipe?
Nice! I miss San Diego radio, especially 94.9, now that Indie 103.1′s dead in L.A., that’s the best radio station in SoCal.
I hate how every music blog out there keeps saying “the best album of 2009″ because if this is true then its going to be a shitty year in music.
OR….. you can decide what YOU want the best album to be, and stop being pissed that others don’t agree with you.
That said, I’ll take MPP over anything that came out in 2008.
you had a bad 2008? wah.
Everyone seems to vote down the truth.
Guyz this song’s okay and all but what the fuck’s up with this trippy video? Are they on drugs or something?
-end sarcasm-
Aw, is this your first music video? You ever heard of the Beatles?
Is it much to admit I need
A solid soul and the blood I bleed
With a little girl, and by my spouse
I only want a proper house
I don’t care for fancy things
Or to take part in a precious race
And children cry for the one who has
A real big heart and a father’s grace
I don’t mean to seem like I care about material things like a social status
I just want four walls and adobe slabs for my girls
Haters be damned, this is truly a great song!!
“fort walls”, not “four walls”
i don’t know what the lyrics are to this song…but i know those aren’t them. “a real big heart” sounds much more like “i will work hard” that’s actually the only thing i can comprehend. even the first line doesn’t seem correct…
dont worry bout them haters deezy, you have captured the true spirit of the track indeed
Is this the best video of 2009?
Is this the best albums of 2000-2010?
thanks for the clarification deez.
So, has this album replaced 9/11 as the dividing line between eras? Like “in a post MPP world…”
Magnificent song, btw.
So when i tried it the video had been removed from youtube, but luckily it is embedded on their website http://myanimalhome.net/
This is probably my favorite song from the album and on top of that, this was the coolest music video i have seen in a very long time.
Admittedly, it was a controversial choice for animal collective to don black face for the video, but then again, animal collective are a pretty cutting edge band.
“adobe slabs for my girls”
Are you certain about this?
I know its not what I’ve been singing (“comfy beds for my girls”), but that adobe thing sounds pretty obscure.
Int it adobe slats?
Actually it’s “tuna salad sandwich for my girls”
Don’t worry though, it’s a common mistake and you were at least close.
I think it’s “four walls and adobe slabs for my girls,” adobe slabs being the roof over the four walls.
4:22 reminds me of a screen saver.
OH, u are right! HEHE
They should have asked The Knife help out with the video.
Go to Youtube and watch it in HD to get the full effect.
You can’t even categorize this kinda stuff!
Stereogum makes my days this week!:)
Ok. My best attempt at describing this video: Like watching an Ipod ad on an old car with a small colored mirror ball hanging from it’s rearview mirror on a drive-in theater on a rainy day.
By “classic” MTV era standards that video actually didn’t quite work…the images and the song don’t synch up in a exciting enough way…the song crawls along like a turtle but that turtle is blinking like Close Encounters…”once in a life time”casino heaven…
I’m glad that Microsoft finally got around to updating their Starfield screensaver.
Crappy Song
Crappy Video
I mean, if I wanted an Apple Ipod Comerical, there are plenty out there for me to watch. and yea, The Screen saver comment nailed it pretty much as well. haha.
And may I add, if you want to see an excellent video, everyone should check out The Arcade Fire’s “Neon Bible” video. Much more original and interesting than this crap. And I can’t wait until The Arcade Fire and Clipse (“Hell Hath No Fury” is still EXCELLENT to this day) release their albums this year. Will totally blow away this “Merriweather Post Crappy Album”.
Huh? I like BOTH Animal Collective and Arcade Fire. Is that at all possible? I must be a walking conundrum. Lighten up a little, guy…life’s too short.
the pacing of the video and the semi-chinsy effects combined with the quirky, creative animation really well go with the song well.
Great song.
good video.
flying doritos rule
Definitely not the best video of the year, but the song, oh the song…pure bliss.
You can watch the video on etmusiquepourtous.com. This one got pulled.
The video wasn’t pulled, Youtube was doing maintenance which sometimes causes embeds to not work, giving you that “‘This video is no longer available’ message” instead. It’s working now.
why are they wearing lipstick?
It’s a good enough song and all, but is anyone going to point out that it’s played with one finger on a synth? Can’t wait to hear the Microsoft Songsmith version.
they should do an iPOD commercial!!!
Sure am glad I decided to start smoking pot again this week
Go AniColl, my trippersetters once again
Anyone have lyrics for the album?
WORST video of the year
Reminds me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5viaJBIPbM . Ah yes, certainly a HD version of it.
I keep thinking Spongebob Squarepants is going to pop out of nowhere!
Wow… Damn… These guys don’t sound anything like I remember them from a few years back. This is awesome.
I thought this album was pretty good. It might end up being one of the best albums of 2009. AC fans are religious about their love for the band. It’s truly a testament to Pitchfork’s power and influence.
As passionate as fans of MPP are, it’s premature to label this the best album of 2009. In the same way that non-MPP fans deride the album (or Animal Collective as a whole)without having heard it all, MPP fans are calling this the greatest album without having HEARD the rest of the music of 2009. It’s only January. Keep it in your pants for the next 11 months and don’t judge every subsequent album based on how you feel about this one. That said, it’s a very good album.
“AC fans are religious about their love for the band. It’s truly a testament to Pitchfork’s power and influence. ”
Stop. Extremely extremely patronizing.
“Stop. Extremely extremely patronizing.”
To say Pitchfork has not influenced the band’s success is patronizing. I’m a fan of AC but this album is NOT the album of the decade and it’s yet to be determined if it will even be the “album of the year”, as Pitchfork (then subsequently nearly all music blogs) has hailed it.
I didn’t say they didn’t influence the success- any kind of exposure can be good for a band. But I found out about Animal Collective through a friend, who sent me The Purple Bottle and I immediately fell in love and went out to buy Feels.
I think it’s disrespectful that someone would try to assume that some web site is the reason I like a band.
I will say that a glowing Pitchfork review (or, Stereogum, or any number of publications) can influence me to check out a band, but it has nothing to do with how I actually perceive it once I’m listening to it. I still am bored to tears by The Field, The Mars Volta is still one of my favorite bands, etc., etc..
The video’s great, but couldn’t they just superimpose Deakin into the background to make us all happy?
This video really helped me understand this song better. Especially how the sillouhettes move. It helps me understand the rhythmic appeal of the song.
Doesn’t surprise me that you can’t actually see them in the video, they’re too awkward to even show themselves. Can someone explain to me why a couple of guys triggering synthesized loops is worth seeing? And don’t even get me started on the song itself, it’s pretty much one melody over and over AND OVER. If you’re going to make the song 5-and-a-half minutes long, do some more with it.
I’m not terribly sure why a lot of cool indie bands these days get away with writing such shallow songs… Not saying I hate the song, but its pretty “one note”
I dig the beat, but thats not really a reason to listen to it over a fucking garage band loop.
Hilarious. I really like how Panda and Avey are wearing bright pink lipstick. That said such a great song deserved a better video. I think they should go back to stuff like Who Could Win a Rabbit. Now that’s a memorable video!
Nice video. I still think they’re the most overrated music snob pets the world has ever known.
I’d have to agree that this album is overrated. I was much more impressed by feels, sung tongs and strawberry jam. They aren’t making me think anymore. It isn’t bad to listen to though. And their video like their album obviously spent more time in post production than production itself. I guess they are pretty busy though right?
ahaha even Kanye is hyping them
http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=221576_-1__0_~0_-1_1_2009_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=
OmG thiS is lik a screensver adn a ipod comershal. LULZ
*eyeroll*
I like this song. But their freaky mouths made me think of hagfishes or lampreys or something. I maybe it works then, since they’re in a lagoon.
Kanye West posted this video on his blog. But that’s not why I like it.
I’m five minutes into this song and I’m still waiting for a hook. Reminds me of that LCD Soundsystem track from a couple years ago everyone adored. Just goes on forever but doesn’t go anywhere.
What’s the appeal?
How obvious do you need your hooks to be exactly? The whole thing is like some kind of barbershop old-school melody set to techno-pop.
Hooks are for radio music and sea captains!
The brilliance of the song is how it takes a bit to build to the climax, IMO.
Ha, after hearing the song several times I thought the lyrics were “I just want four walls and Dolby sets for my girls” !!
Acid dream iPod commercial.
i’m a huge music person. i love music that many people would consider weird. Of Montreal is my favorite band. I love the sound of animals fighting. But what the fuck is it that people love so much about animal collective????
They are alright at best. I’ve heard My Girls now like 10 times and it has never grown on me. The only thing animal collective is good at is creating a couple second long cool sounds. Not songs.
Is it a requirement to do drugs to understand them?
Plus, Stereogum never says why exactly Merriweather is a good album. I give it a 4 out of 10 at best.
personally i think MPP is animal collective’s worst album, and my girls one of their worst songs. that said, it is still good music, but compared to the other things they’ve done it just doesnt catch my ear and is sort of boring. one great song on the album, and one of their best recordings, is bluish. Idk im not just saying this as a backlash against all its praise im just legitimately confused as to why a majority of people are obsessed with this album. Can someone please explain?
Simply put, MPP is full of catchy melodies that people of a wide variety of “tastes” can sing-a-long and dance to. In that same sense, the songs on this album sound fresh and even a little futuristic. So because it sounds as though it is the new best thing, people make a big deal about it and ponder its significance. However, I think the main reason people like it is because it is simply just good pop music.
The future as in the 80s? U cwazy?
Pop music? U cwazy?
You need to listen to Thriller again dummy.
I want to hate this song as much as I hate everything else animal collective has done as well as their “I’m-so-indie-cool” fans who just can’t seem to dislodge their lips from the AC phallus…but, y’know, that wasn’t a bad song.
Wow. The animated mouth is terrifying.
This is my first experience with this band. I’m not sure how I feel about them. I am impressed by their unique style, but I can’t listen to it for too long. What is the appeal? This song isn’t catchy, it has no variety, and is slightly annoying. I get the impression that people like this band because they want to like something different.
we dont want to like something different. we just like something different.
Oh, hey there! What’s up, Anton Djamoos!
http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showcomments&j=669&e=126312
When did AC fans get soooooooooooo lame?
Agreed Chris. Everyone I know who swears that Merriweather is the best album that 2009 is going to produce is the type of person who enjoys his drugs or is one of those people who just does everything to be different. You say that they just write good melodic pop songs. The test for that is play this song for your aunt. If your aunt likes it, unless your aunt is Joan Jett, then maybe its a pop song. Or show it to a 13 year old whose religion is Top 40 Radio and tell them its the new Kanye West song haha. They have to like Kanye or they won’t be cool. But – I guarantee you 9 times out of 10 either will respond this is boring or stupid. That being said I do like the band. But, I do not think that they deserve the cult following and praise that they have. They do not deserve the attention they get here on Stereogum or on similar websites. They are neither skilled musicians or skilled song-writers just three creative people who would be better suited painting murals. Please stop telling me that Merriweather is the best album of 09.
“So because it sounds as though it is the new best thing, people make a big deal about it and ponder its significance.” – Nick W. If Animal Collective is the next best thing I think that we are all taking a step backward quite frankly. Don’t take this the wrong way. Personally I don’t dislike the band. All I’m saying is get over them already.
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE FOR LIFE! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Wow. reading the comments on Kanye’s blog is like a game of “what word could this be, and how are they using it”
the best is the 2nd comment, “Animal Conllection” ahhahahaa.
amazing these people remember to breath.
So, in response to all the “why do people like this song / what is the appeal.”
In my own humble opinion, when the snare hit comes in (around 3:18) and hits on the half note it works to change the repeated melody in a really interesting way. The entire thing is a bit hypnotic but with this subtle rhythmic change I find the whole thing propelled forward.
Strawberry Jam might just be better than MPP though me thinks.
Oh, so this is the greatest track/album of the decade? Cool.
I feel like I’m back in the 80s.
It’s ok I guess.
I still don’t get Animal Collective…but I don’t get The Beach Boys, Talking Heads, or Erasure either, and this song sounds like a mix of the three to me.
having purchased this album yesterday and having three substantial headphone listening sessions, I feel I can tell you all why it’s so amazing.
When I opened the CD package, I was shown a picture of someone swimming in what looked a painting. The colours were rich and vibrant, and being Australian and currently experiencing the worst heat wave in 30 odd years, I have been re aquainted with my love of the ocean. The picture did something to me, it excited me and when I put on the CD I had this picture in my head. I could imagine myself being completely submerged in that vibrant colour. I could picture the fluro fishes swimming by me, I felt existential, I felt completely at one with the music, like it was the painting and I was that guy swimming in it. I do not take drugs and I’m not a pretensious art student, I’m just a guy who has fallen in love with this album. Without the hype to help me. I think the whole lagoon thing makes so much sense, a beatiful choral lagoon full of unique life. Amazing…
such a great song should have a better video, but still, the brilliance of the song makes up for some of the mediocrity.
Is it just me, or was that NYT article a little too close to home? Why is Chris from gorilla vs. bear blabbing about the ateaseweb forums??!!
I really like that geologist doesn’t have a mouth