Animal Collective – Fall Be Kind EP : Album Reviews

Animal Collective are an odd band. The line up consists of  Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deakin, (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz). However, unlike most bands, records released under the name Animal Collective may include contributions from any or all of these members – the line up is not set.

Their latest EP, Fall Be Kind was released in 2009 after the successful Merriweather Post Pavilion. Clocking in at just over 27 minutes long, Fall Be Kind is a translucent mirage of mind stimulating sonic and experimental warped-ness.

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind EP

Opening track Graze begins slow, pacing itself, not revealing too much of itself until the 3:00 minute mark, where renowned Pan flute artist Gheorge Zamfir, widely known as “Master of the Pan Flute,” makes a cameo appearance, performing his flute solo until the end of the track while the Animal Collective’s vocals overlay periodically.

What Would I Want? Sky? is a highlight of the EP. Sampling moments of ‘Unbroken Chain’ by Grateful Dead, it enhtralls the listener, not with catchy riffs or solos. Rather, it simply becomes a part of the atmosphere surrounding the listener.

Bleed begins with an awkward, distorted voiceover, and to use the vinacular, it is at times, well -  trippy! Rather than use lyrics, it features a series of single words to paint a picture of what is happening. It’s deeply ambiguous, yet it remains both engaging and thought provoking. On A Highway makes use of distorted guitar riffs, single notes played to echo throughout. The effect works well, because the song is about travelling, and seeing things in a fast motion.

There is no real discernible structure to Fall Be Kind. Given that this isn’t an album, this sort of experimentation is deemed appropriate – it’s almost expected. This free-style arrangement works brilliantly to captivate the listener – somethimes to the extent that you don’t realise you’ve listened to it three times straight.

It’s good, often great. When you break down the mechanics of it, it is so hard to describe in terms of style and approach. All I can do is recommend you track down a copy, and listen for yourself. Incredibly unique, incredible sound. In one word – incredible.