Concert review: Animal Collective
Article published: Monday, February 16th 2009
Animal Collective’s latest album was released at the start of this year to a frenzy of press adulation and adoration from fans. In January they visited Manchester’s Academy Basement to showcase ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’ and other ditties from their prolific catalogue.
The last two albums by Baltimore outfit have shown a trend towards more conventional pop song structures yet without adhering to any set formula nor abandoning the adventurous experimentalism which has won them their plaudits.
Building a crashing sonic soundscape based on overdriven warm and fuzzy synthesizers, their Manchester stage entrance is rapturous. The layered synthesizers swirl, the sparse electronic bass pounds and idiosyncratic drumming drives along their unique dreamy pop.
Singer Avey Tare (David Portner) meanders and turns with whimsical lyrics that nonetheless reach out with a childlike sincerity. They rise frequently to an anthemic climax like a diver coming up for air from the depths; but this is no clichéd rock sing-a-long. In fact, it is impossible to classify AC as either psychedelic pop, shoegazer, folktronica or any other number of trite epithets: and therein lies their beauty. Tare exhibits a wide vocal ability, ranging from winsome pop-sensible tones to improbably charming growls and falsettos. He launches himself into rhythmic African-style drumming before jumping from the soporific drone into attention-grabbing choruses.
But the departure of band-member Deakin (Josh Dibb) is telling, apparently having retired for the time being to pursue a more rustic life building his own house. Gone are the airy piano melodies which followed the floating and rabid vocals; and to the keen ear there is a gap in the subtle sonic layering that characterises their unique sound.
And despite an energetic performance, AC’s swirling psychedelia gets tiresome after an hour or so. The songs become indistinguishable and blend endlessly into one another, vocals are overloaded with artificial reverb and the music degenerates into a deafening barrage.
The band takes to teasing the crowd with openings of songs from ‘Strawberry Jam’ (2007) only to segue into the long, drawn-out versions of newer tunes that fail to reach their promised peaks. A lack of authentic, organic instrumentation is overcompensated with pre-recorded electronic beats and a torrent of effects on both vocals and guitar. Put bluntly, they over-egg the pudding.
Whilst ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’s’ ever-eclectic melody, highly refined style and lush array of vocals definitely warrants its awestruck reception, Animal Collective’s live rendition leaves you a little disappointed.
More: Manchester
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