What we thought of Animal Collective new album and concert.
Last time Animal Collective came to the Windy City they were touring behind their 2012 effort, Centipede Hz, an album divisive among critics and fans. While the album wasn’t as well received as some of their work, the tour that followed was exceptionally great. Pulling songs from deep in their catalogue, fans got to hear some classics like “What Would I Want? Sky” or “Did You See the Words?” but the biggest pull away from the shows were how great the Centipede songs translated live. The hyper, child-like sensibility of the album made you appreciate just how fun and bouncy those tracks were. Even the lowest point of that album, “Pulleys” took on a completely different life after they toured it for awhile (check out the version on their live album Live at 9:30). Animal Collective’s latest release Painting With, almost follows that same exact formula.
Perhaps even more divisive amongst critics, Painting With hones in on that child-like sensibility even more so than its predecessor. Driving rhythms, dreamy harmonies, and the crazy background noise they are known for, the album is a culmination of everything they have done before, but still sounds relatively fresh. Personally, I was undecided on the album after my initial listen but it grew on me quickly, which seems what happened with a lot of diehard AnCo fans. Being a common browser on their Reddit page, there were instant reactions ranging from loving it, to hating it and everything it between. It was quite interesting to see so many people post these things because like every great AnCo album, it takes time to sink in and to me, Painting With is a truly great album. Luckily, I started really digging into the album, unpacking all of its textures and sounds just a few days before their show in Chicago. The show was only my mind from the minute it was announced until the moment it started the anticipation of Painting With made me even more antsy. Thankfully, the boys came through to create an amazing album and an even better live show.
Brimming with bizarre sculptures, lush color-scapes and animated bees, the set itself was the album come to life. Kudos, to Abby Portner for creating such an amazing stage set up which is a piece of art itself. The band came on stage with rapturous applause, Chicago is always has great, respectful crowds and this one was no different. You can tell the venue was packed with diehard fans. When “Daily Routine” came on, a song from the band’s staple album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, the crowd collectively went wild, like a bunch of animals, it was one of the many great moments in the night.
As I said before, the songs from Painting With seem to really find their footing in your mind when you see them live. Watching the three members upfront, backed by the always fantastic Jeremy Hyman, was truly a treat to watch. The album calls for many vocal harmonies that were performed as precise as each weird sound was placed. Songs like “Lying in the Grass” or “Summing the Wretch” which rely heavily on the vocal-styling Panda Bear has favored over his last few LP’s, are so fun to watch because both singers are so in sync with one another and seem like they are really enjoying themselves. Geologist himself jams so hard, I love it. I was anticipating the standout songs off the new release, like “The Burglars” or “Golden Gal” would really deliver, and oh boy did they. The former itself is an instant classic on the album and live it should be considered as their closer for every tour in their future, it was as chaotic as I have seen an AnCo song get.
The encore began as a fan’s wet dream. Two tracks off their best album, Feels, were played back-to-back. The droney “Bees” and the dreamy “Loch Raven”, which is one of my all time favorite songs, garnered some the biggest reactions of the night, showing that fans appreciated the reach back to the deep cuts. Closing with the Painting With’s closing song, “Recycling” was so fitting. It is such a fun song, I had a huge smile on my face the entire time they were playing it. Then, unfortunately, the show came to an end. Avey Tare, the singer, thanked the crowd with what seemed genuinely humble. Even for as big as a band as they are, they always seem really appreciative of their fan base, which is huge.
All in all, it is a great time to be an Animal Collective fan. Between a brand new album and a new tour followed so closely behind, there is a lot to cherish from the great band. I am hoping there are some more dates TBA (I am looking at you Lollapalooza), as I would really love to see them again on this tour cycle. Even if you don’t like the new album, but love the collective, find a way to see them, you won’t regret it.
9/10
What did you think of the new album?
– Connor
wedowhatblog.wordpress.com 