Strawberry Jam sounds like an SNES drowning. That at least is the first impression you get from the opening synth freak-out of ‘Peacebone’. However gradually a lurching rhythm is beaten out of the messy salvo of noise, and as it turns itself inside out, clear melodic vocals catch you and transport you into the world of Animal Collective. Their world is dark and claustrophobic, but beams of light manage to pierce through the massing clouds overhead, lighting your way through the beast they have created.

The epic and hysterical ‘For Reverend Green’ builds into a disorientating and draining attack, but one which is laden with sweet hooks. It provides a fulcrum around which the other songs turn, on this relatively short album at nine tracks. The disappointing ‘Winter Wonder Land’ and the noise barrage of ‘Cuckoo Cuckoo’ are lumped into the second half of the disc. However the closer ‘Derek’, with it’s squelchy ‘under the sea’ a la Little Mermaid vibe, provides gentle release after the tumult of the previous forty minutes. But it is rather from ‘Peacebone’ through to ‘Fireworks’, that the real magic happens. ‘Unsolved Mysteries’, provides a ballad of sorts set to chopping beats and ‘Chores’ launches into attacks that constantly deconstruct and rebuild themselves. As for ‘Fireworks’ it is the beautiful come-down after the assault by the ‘For Reverend Green’

There is no doubt that this be could the standout album of the year. They have drawn a lot of their sound from the electronic meanderings of Black Dice, and Avey Tare and co-vocalist Panda Bear have started to sound like Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. These aren’t bad things especially since Animal Collective couple them with a perfect balance of the humdrum, the fantastic and the menacing in their often indecipherable lyrics. On a first listen it may seem at times senseless and primal, but it’s a definite grower and the rewards offered by Animal Collectives pop sensibilities are nothing short of majestic.

“Strawberry Jam” by Animal Collective is released on Domino on the 14th September.
Animal Collective play Tripod on the 4th November.

Paul Bond
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