Well, MPP has been out since Christmas day in 2008. After months of anticipating the release of this album, it finally leaked, and to be frank, it definitely lived up to it's hype. After only a month into 2009, one of the best albums in a LONG time has already been released. Good thing is, that with the other great EP's and albums coming out this year, MPP won't have the easy path to being the number 1 album of 2009.
Merriweather Post Pavillion starts off with the twisting and turning song, In the Flowers. Starting off with a queasy and mysterious droning of tingly beats and ghostly lyrics. After about 2 or 3 minutes, there's a small hint to the explosion that occurs later on. 30 seconds later, it happens. I'm sure anyone listening to this song for the first time was blown away when they first heard the abrupt outburst of perfectly-aligned notes. Moments later, as you start to get comfortable with this amazing pattern of awing sounds, the song goes back to the coiling and drowsy part that we heard earlier. All in all, one of my favorite songs off the album... worth a 10/10 in my book.
A quick succession of rapid, pins-and-needles beats follow In the Flowers. This song of course being "My Girls." Although not one of my favorite songs on my album, it's definitely not a dud. The rhythmic, almost Native American crooning lyrics in the beginning are great, and when followed by "I just want 4 walls and Adobe slabs for my girlssss," it definitely gets you into an upbeat happy mood. This song gets an 8/10.
The next song, "Also Frightened," has a swooning, chill sound in the beginning, but after a few minutes, quickly evolves into a song that truly gives you a life. As Avey and Panda, start to shout "Are you also frighteneeeddd?" you immediately get a rush of energy through your body. Excellent song, also deserves an 8/10.
What can I say? SUMMERTIME CLOTHES! My favorite song on the entire album (except the last track of course)! The song starts out with a grooving and upbeat pulse that carries on through the entire song. The rich and wild lyrics spurted out of Avey's mouth impacted me more than any other AC song. I always pause whatever I'm doing when I hear "Midnight Meal." If you're going to get any song on this album (although I encourage you to buy/download the entire thing), definitely get this song. 10/10.
The chirping scrapes of the electric organ in the beginning of the next song, Daily Routine, are almost eerie, but when accompanied with Panda's voice it surges into a Brooklyn-influenced Pow-Wow. The descending shouting that eventually leads up to an eruption of keys being pressed is wonderful. This is the first time Avey pipes out "Just a signal... in my head..." A minute later, when he says the same verse it comes along with a soft strumming of the guitar, which reaches a whole new plateau of musical grandeur. Perfection. 9/10
The song starts out with an eclectic beeping that sounds like something out of a 90's video game. Although it is short and sweet, it appears later on in the song. The song's nostalgic and gorgeous lyrics combined with the illusory and haunting melody is quite addicting. As the song begins to grow up a little more, you first hear the lyrics "It makes me so crazy yet I can't say whyyyy." Ironically, that one verse fully represents how nearly every lover of this song feels. 9/10.
I honestly can't understand why the song "Guys Eyes" is loved so much. I'm certainly not denying that it's an enjoyable song, just that it's not the best on the album. I honestly would give it a 6/10 if it wasn't for two things. These being (1) that it leads into "Taste," and (2) it has a very cool buildup of harmonizing bits of singing from Panda and Avey. Still a fantastic song though. Deserving of a 7/10.
The next song, which I mentioned earlier, is Taste. Where to begin... The beginning of this song sounds like a electronic beach paradise. I don't know how to describe it. The lyrics are positively supernatural and eccentric. My favorite verse being "Am I really all the things that are outside of me?" If this song COULD be described... picture yourself floating in a blinding and swirling cosmos, being lightly effaced by expurgating pigments. It truly is indescribable. Animal Collective, you outdid yourself here. 10/10
Moving onto the last 3 song, the next one being Lion in a Comma. What a wacky song! The first instrument to be heard is a Jews Harp, which certainly doesn't hide it's presence throughout the rest of the song. The lyrics jumps all over the place, eventually reaching a perfectly arranged crescendo at the word "BEDROOM!" After a few repeats of these kooky tones, the song becomes utterly unhinged and Avey starts to mindlessly spit out the nutty tongue twister "Lion in a Comma," over and over. Another great song, which deserves a 9/10.
No More Runnin'... what a quirky song...
The intervals of this song feel like you are
A. Walking through a creepy Bayou Swamp at midnight
B. Slowly fading away
When Avey Tare first yells "No More Runnin'..." you feel completey blown away. As "Runnin'" slowly diminishes into the past, there's only one option as to where you are
-Standing on the top of a lofty African hill at sunrise. No one else is there except you, and everything in the world is at peace.
This song obviously deserves a 10/10.
Finally... this album goes out with one heck of a bang. Brothersport. Although this song is completely unfitting to the rest of the album, it's obvious AC just had to cram it because it was just so awesome. This song is what got everyone highly anticipating the release of this album in the first place. The tribal pitches and beats of this song are extremely captivating, and after the the minute long head-ache inducing maraca-shaking break between the first half and the second, the song almost seems to start out anew. There's only one verse repeated until the end... the good thing is... it sounds absolutely great, and almost anyone wouldn't mind hearing this for ten minutes straight. You need to hear it for yourself to experience this great song. Hate to be generic, but this song, just like seemingly everyone else, is my favorite song on the entire album. 10/10
That's it. That's the MPP experience. What a great start to 2009. This album is definitely worth a dozen or more straight listens, and definitely doesn't get old. It seems AC has taken the right turn, and the golden age of AC has officially started. If the rest of 2009 will be this astounding, I welcome it with both hands open.
Preview : Next album review will be the "Blood Bank" EP by Bon Iver. Look for it's release sometime soon.
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