animal collective & silver jews +++

new records - lazily reviewed

Animal Collective - feels

I have somewhat conventional taste(i like a good pop song, hooks and all) and until this record I have had a hard time wrapping my head around this band. I enjoyed Sung Tongs (their last release) but it wasn't something i wanted to put on heavy rotation - too difficult to listen to - and the chanting/yelping/storybook voice got on my nerves a little - the whole package was a little spastic somehow. Animal Collective are into the soundscape, with whooping tribal-esque vocals, odd sounds, unplace-albe except to maybe say early mercury rev but less normal-structured songs. it is ambitious music that is semi-psychedelic but new new new. That said, I am loving this new one "feels." critics have noted that it is their most listenable record, most like a pop band, familiar song structure, etc. but seriously, they are no Libertines. This is a freak out band. I love the multi-layered sounds, the noise versus layers of sound versus melody versus repetition at work in these songs. It feels inspired and original, at times arty, but that is ok. I especially love the second song "grass" - first because it is short, and then for the combination of lush, pastoral feeling with noise/punch and sweetness. The flow of the record is 100% interesting and engaging from start to finish. If you can do without the usual verse chorus versus - Buy it. (it still has v.c.v but in it's own unique way - you'll see)

Silver Jews - Tanglewood Numbers

I loved this band back in the day so i am the prime candidate for liking this record and yup. i do. opposite of above, this is a guitar/bar band/country tinged indie record with d.berman's charateristic singing/talking style. i like his voice. i like his lyrics. "sometimes a pony gets depressed" i am sucker for this stuff. second song is great, forth song is great - animal shapes - the guitars sound pavement-esque at times, as does the loping drums. classic-rock-ish. hard to describe. the 3rd song "living in a k-hole" is pushing the edge for me lyrically. much has been made of the singer's supposed suicide attempt rehab yadda yadda and maybe there is some weird mystery there. i am undecided as to the k-hole/living in a trash can lyrics. i feel mixed- kind of like how lame that is. not sure. the music has a rootsy/arty/indie feel via bar band. like wil oldham, sorta. i love his wife's backing vocals, sucker for the male/female vocals. pour yourself a bourbon.

not to end on a low point but here is a warning to music consumers:

The magic numbers pushed my tolerance to the edge. i made it through song 9 of 13 - couldn't take it anymore. i will try to listen to it again. my coworker has similar response. maybe just a few songs downloaded will do.

Tomorrow will bring more musix reviews, tired now.