Animal Collective

Animal Collective step back from assaulting the senses and instead put that energy into digging deeper into the brain using melody and song structures that are simply bananas. Sure, it's got folk-style guitars and close harmonies, but this convoluted album is practically a new form of music unto itself. "We Tigers" is like Lord of the Flies in audio form.

In the realm of semipopular rock, there are indie rockers -- who prize imperfection and
irreverence -- and there are jam bands, who are steeped in tradition and demand high
technical standards. And never the twain shall meet. Until now, at least: Brooklyn's Animal
Collective make their songs cackle with soulful eccentricity while dazzling you with
deceptive chops and improvised manipulations -- think Neutral Milk Hotel as play... More >