CD Review: Animal Collective, Fall Be Kind [EP]

Animal Collective Fall Be Kind [EP]

***.5/***** (three and a half out of five!)

Brooklyn based transient indie band Animal Collective has been criticized for being an obscure, overrated object of hipster worship.

Although the above judgments may be true, it is undeniable that these guys produce a constant stream of music that is consistently improving. I honestly can’t decide if the collective’s newest release, a twenty minute five song EP titled Fall Be Kind, has followed the pattern of its progressive past.

Although it’s true that any new Animal Collective usually takes more than one listen to fully appreciate and obsess over, I was sold on Merriweather Post Pavillion after the first listen to “My Girls”.

The standout track on the EP would obviously be the woodwind powered “What Would I Want? Sky”, though I personally appreciate the eerie second to last track, “On a Highway”. Panda Bear’s vocals melt over the synths resulting in a constant build up in a track that never lets down, although the result is serenity rather than frustration!

I don’t know…the whole compilation is a lot less trancedance than Merriweather, it’s kind of a sneak preview to a Strawberry Jam throwback, and I can’t decide if I like this direction or not…

Also, I can't quite figure out if the cover art depicts a blurry grim reaper or something embryonic...

I think I can I think I can I think I. (fifth track)

Check out What Would I Want? Sky Here.

While you're at it, check out Atlas Sound+Panda Bear's new song here.

--Bri LaPelusa

Ain't Megalomania Grand?

In a Medium two weeks ago, I discussed why Comcast's potential purchase of NBC Universal was a decent business move with horrible repercussions for viewers, namely those of us who like our content free and online. Well, I just read on The Huffington Post that the wheels have been put in motion for this deal to come to fruition. Rather than bitch and moan, I'm going to click over to Hulu and enjoy some free episodes of "Glee" while I can. But before I do, in case you're a confused TV viewer wondering why NBC Universal, Comcast, GE and Vivendi have anything to do with you, I found this gem from "Saturday Night Live," a legendary NBC product (excuse me, program), written by comedy genius Robert Smigel (known to many as the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), to detail why big corporation owning huge chunks of the media is a troublesome development. And before you dismiss it, know that NBC only aired the cartoon once and it has been scrubbed from reruns on "E!" and "Comedy Central" (owned by Comcast and Viacom, respectively).

Media-opoly seems to be Comcast's new favorite board game, yes?

--Meryn, who is actually afraid she's going to wake up with the NBC peacock's bloody head in her bed.