With the mainstream success of 2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, Animal Collective’s next record was always going to be more heavily scrutinized. It’s follow-up, is an album that’s simply more enjoyable as a separate piece of work, and if anything confirms the breakthrough success of its predecessor.
Centipede Hz certainly sees the Baltimore quartet experiment with heavier, more confronting sounds but continue to take advantage of their creative songwriting. The one aspect that seems constant for Animal Collective is the polyrhythmic interplay between the percussion and melodic instruments.
The endless swirling sounds and glitching rhythms are a constantly welcome surprise. It’s always amazing how the collective manages to mix such a wide variety of sounds and textures to produce such coherent tunes.
‘Father Time’ follows a more conventional structure but builds beautifully. The floating keyboards sit behind the abrasive percussion that underpins the vocals of Dave Portner, aka Avey Tare.
The highlight of the album is undoubtedly ‘Today’s Supernatural’. From the frantic stuttering beginning of the vocals to the bouncing harpsichord synth line, the track never lets up and highlights the bands ability to mix those quirky musical elements with catchy melodies and driving rhythms.
The only track that sits particularly awkwardly is ‘Rosie Oh’. The instrumentation creating a strange tension between the music and vocals that, on this occasion, leans too heavily towards off kilter synth sounds and syncopated percussion.
The constantly astonishing thing is that they Animal Collective can still create sing-a-long moments, they may be few and far between, but for music that can be confronting it makes it that bit more accessible.
It’s these little pop flourishes and catchy melodies along with the experimental nature of their music that continues to make Animal Collective, and their latest record, so special.
– Gabe Andrews
