m_thomp

And that's why it's so good in my opinion. When you consider what most people would consider restrictions - two people, barely a drum kit, and acoustic guitars - it's incredibly inventive. Only in the last couple of songs does it taper out. I read an interview once in which Noah said that Strawberry Jam was entitled that because he was on a plane once and with his meal he received a small pot of Strawberry Jam, and that best summed up exactly how they wanted the album to sound. And that makes sense to me, when you compare it to MPP it's a lot denser and glossier.

I thought that the Zombies sample got dropped? I do know that Panda Bear includes the sample in his live set solo rendition of Guys Eyes, though.

No and no. No More Runnin is perfect and perfectly placed too.

Thanks for your help guys. I think I'm as confused now as I was before I wrote the request. I'm not being cheeky but you all have differing opinions, so I guess any form of consensus regarding Glass is difficult. Solo Piano has come up a couple of times so I think that's going to be my next port of call. Many thanks again.

For the past few days I've been listening to Philip Glass' Koyaanisqatsi soundtrack. This is my first taste of Glass' work and I'm very taken by it, however, I'm a bit green when it comes to the rest of the Glass back catalogue and don't know what's best to sample next, or even what to avoid. Are there any Glass afficienados out there who could give me some pointers and recommendations?

I think there's only one song (Daily Routine) on MPP that would sit happily alongside Person Pitch, that's primarily because it's a Panda Bear-penned track and vocally it's very similar - lots of emphasis and stress on individual syllables. However, all the accompanying music is different there's something quite sea-drenched and sun-kissed about the music on Person Pitch; Daily Routine, and other tracks on MPP, are brighter, poppier and ambient-y/techno-y. If you're familar with the German label, Kompakt, it's a bit like that, in particular their Pop Ambient series.

Now transcribe the Daily Routine lyrics, which, although I like it, I cannot understand anything bar the "look at traffic lights" bit - Noah's singing sounds like a special needs kid learning to read. Pass go and collect

If you're halfway through then I think you've passed all the Beach Boys discussions, they circled that in My Girls section. I've been listening a lot to Sung Tongs recently, which I really rate. Surprised it didn't make your 'next picks' choices to Moss. That's the album I think is the most distant from Beach Boys beyond mere technique. Thinking about it, though, a lot of my favourite AC songs (Loch Raven, Derek, No More Runnin) are the ones least comparable to Beach Boys. Which either means I'm right (I am, and you know it), or I have a built-in Beach Boys soundalike filter.

I caught them last week in London. For Animal Collective it was about as straightforward as it gets, in that they, quite unexpectedly, played the bulk of Merriweather, one new song and a few reworkings (one quite radical) of some older material. As for how they sound, the Merriweather material is very similar to the records. They sometimes alter things slightly, e.g. Daily Routine's slow outro becomes much slower. It's really in the old material that they change things round, almost unrecognisably so, and that material is often been given a reboot to make it more contemporary and more in the

Here you go, folks: Animal Collective - MPP playback interview (minus the music)

Hmm I understand what you're saying, that as a result of mutual inspirations AC end up in a similar territory as the Beach Boys as a result of a happy accident (or unhappy if you hate either band). It's just that beyond them both liking vocal harmonies and arrangements I can't really hear any explicit similarities (someone like the Incredible String Band, on the other hand, is a different matter - not on MPP though). It's more of a case them using a similar technique/process than the music sounding similar. Which I guess is a bit like saying My Bloody Valentine and Metallica sound similar bec

They clocked in at no. 26 in the UK album hit parade. That's worrying ten places below Roger Whittaker. Nevermind, to actually see an Animal Collective album chart make me very happy. Yes, I'm easily pleased! Touching on the Beach Boys allusions, I heard an album playback on the radio last week which went track-by-track through MPP with Brian/Geo and Dave/Avey providing commentary. The reaction when the interviewer referenced the Beach Boys was one of bemusement and I got the impression that they hear it a lot but don't really subscribe to it. They could hear how people would, particularly w

Gotta love doing the road trip. Here are some of mine of the past few years: August 04 to Sept 04 San Francisco - Santa Cruz - Modesto - Yosemite National Park - Reno - Eugene - Portland - Seattle My first time in the US with lots of memories, most of the truly unforgettable ones being the interactions with the local folk rather than the inspiring scenery and nature. For example, Modesto seemed such a quiet town but the people there were so warm and friendly. We were treated with almost regal regard and curiosity by almost everyone we met - I guess they don't get many visitors from the U

I don't know whether the mp3's are sourced from a CD, they're just downloads. The vinyl came out on Tuesday in the States, and were given a password to download the album for free. The version I've got comes from that. It sounds worlds better, there's much more clarity around everything in the mix, and is markedly different from the Christmas-time leak. I think there's only one track that isn't at the same level as the others, and that's Also Frightened. I still think it's good, but compared to the rest it pales; the vocals on the verse are a little too mundane and bored-sounding. It's

I was initially disappointed with the album. Or rather disappointed with the first leak - the high and mid ranges were all murky, couldn't decipher vocals, etc. It's only from yesterday, when the legit download to the vinyl buyers was made available, and the subsequent leak, that it's all started to make sense, perfect sense at that. I urge anyone interested in listening to either buy it, or grab a leak of that. It's now so much sharper, brighter and more crystalline, and given that they're heading off in pop, ambient, techno territories, that's exactly how it should sound. I was surpri

That's 1.1 below Pitchfork! For shame, Mr. Solace, for shame. Actually, should anyone actually know how this decimalized scoring system works, could they let me know? For example, in the case of Animal Collective and Pitchfork, what separates a 9.6 album from a 9.5 album? Isn't that beyond splitting hairs, and more akin to splitting the dandruff on the hairs?

Similar to that, but I'd pronounced your EYE bit just like the 'e' in 'email'. Maybe because I thought the title was a play on 'en hiver', and our French teacher taught us to say 'en hiver' (or 'in winter') that way. Or maybe it's because I'm a Londoner? Which I'm not.

Spent the whole morning staring at other people's 2008 top 10 lists (none of yours) so it's time to chip in with mine: 1. Koushik - Out My Window 2. TV On The Radio - Dear Science 3. Portishead - Third 4. Clark - Turning Dragon 5. Department Of Eagles - In Ear Park 6. El Guincho - Alegranza 7. Sigur R

Got hold of My Girls yesterday and it's fab. Very poppy too, with a great, highly danceable rhythm.

You're right. But I don't subscribe to animal collective making purely happy music: have you heard some of Avey Tare's lyrics? The music might be fun stuff, but some of his words are like bittersweet Grimm Fairy tales. Edit: Anyone from England using the word "props" should have their head pinned on a spike at Traitor's Gate. And made to wear a pair of British Kinights trainers.

I've certainly not claimed that, I wouldn't use Radiohead as fair comparison anyway, or indeed a good barometer of taste. Infact the only lauding I've done is say that I like their music and think their new album will be something special.

My dislike of Joanna is partially to do with that. Not childish so much, but that fact that she posseses a voice that I struggle to find convincing. I find it contrived and, yes, childlike - think, Bonnie Langford. The feeling I get from speaking to others that causes so much concern about AC is that they're both amorphous and juvenile, in that it just refuses to to sit still: vocally and melodically it's prone to spasmodic eruptions and tangential whimsy. And that's the stuff I like because rather than be tossed together, or be the product of dicking around, I find Animal Collective endle

What are the two songs you've heard? If either of them are Brother Sport or Bluish then I don't think they could ever switch you on. What is it that doesn't appeal and that you don't rate? I know quite a few people who hate them and the constant reason given is that they sound too childish, in a hyperactive toddler way.

NP: The tiny snatches of Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion that are circulating. This equates to one almost complete song and two partials. Judging from what I've heard, this album will be exceptional.

You may be better off waiting if you were thinking of buying any of the current reissues. See here: For the record, I'd go with Low Life.