by Catherine Soule
News Editor
       Animal Collective’s ninth full-length album debuted in stores on Jan. 20, quelling much hype preceding its release. Produced by Domino Records and recorded at Sweet Tea Recording Studio in Mississippi, Merriweather Post Pavillion features a blend of eclectic songs written by both singers, Dave Portner (aka Avey Tare) and Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear).

     It has earned much praise already, not only because of the complementary duo of vocals but also for being a fulfilling compilation of the various sound styles that the group has explored in the past. Singer Panda Bear agreed, saying that the CD is the band’s best-recorded album so far. Dave Simpson of The Guardian describes it as, “a joyful, transcendent record somehow reminiscent of kids let loose in a musical sandpit.” 

     The album was named after a venue in Columbia, Maryland that has hosted such artists as Santanna, Sheryl Crow, and John Mayer. The cover artwork is based on the work of Japanese psychologist Akiyoshi Kitaoka, and appears to move as an optical illusion, which is only fitting with the melodious and gentle weirdness of the album’s entirety. The tunes blend from one song to the next to produce a unique experience that ranges from catchy foot-thumping beats to slower, layered sounds that build to create dynamic vibrations only achievable by the musical geniuses of Animal Collective. (Sources: animalcollective.org, pitchforkmedia.com, The Guardian)