Collected Animals

i am only on my second listen so perhaps i'm judging prematurely, but i'm kinda disappointed by this. i was probably a little too excited for this. i was hoping for stronger use of electronics and field recording and less avey singing and playing guitar.

I was severely underwhelmed at first but I keep coming back to it and enjoying it more and more....I'm biased though, I really enjoyed Campfire Songs and this is slightly similar in a sense. Selection of A Place at times reminds me of Moo Rah Rah Rain or something, Blue Noses reminds me of Queen in my Pictures at some points, Man Of Oil sounds like some Pullhair Rubeye, and Amazonawana reminds me of some TTG infused Jungle Heat from Animal Crack Box.

Only listened once so far, but I really liked it. Happy as a clam haha. It makes me even happier to hop on here and read what you all thought about it and your experiences.

Anyway, I dont know too much what I think about it yet, but I will say it's got a good blend of noise-ish stuff and softer, folkier stuff. Upon my first listen, I preferred the more folky parts, but that could change depending on my moods haha. Definitely gotta give it some more listens.

Man of Oil was a strong favorite. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT RAAAGHHHH!!!!!!! Some of my favorite touches (everything) were: Avey's voice/lyrics (duh,) the cool weird percussive things happening throughout, those beautiful fememine vocal samples in between Avey's verses (reminded me a bit of what Geo does in Stretching songs for Spring,) and the little "ooooo" falsetto melody Avey does from time to time; sounded more like a a syth than a human voice.

Anyway, that's my opinion upon my first listen. Love u animals.

On first listen I was really digging the first half and its simple but emotive songwriting. The second half was not as immediate, but still had interesting textures and organic sounds. But the more I listened to each side back to back, the more living and breathing the whole release becomes. I really like their ability to just let the free form structure take over, while almost aimlessly guiding the listener from one song to the next. I also really like the sequencing. It's one of their most well balanced records. Very yin and yang. It's up their with Person Pitch, Feels and Sleep Cycle, for having the most organic flow.

Sonically, I'd compare it closest to Campfire Songs, but that was always one of least favorite AC records. It usually bored me and the quality of the recording meant that the atmosphere never really felt immersive. I think because Geo's role in MotW is switched to being front and center, the ambiance is a lot more three-dimensional and sussed out and while acting as a support system to any of Avey's minor songwriting weaknesses.

11/10. Would date if it was a human

surprised Wastered hasn't been mentioned yet, the general atmosphere and meandering of the longer tracks really remind me of that one. Man of Oil still sounds like it could've been written during the Pullhair Rubeye sessions, though Geo's detailed textures really elevate it to a new level

Definitely ayahuasca vibes present. Man of Oil's chorus features singing in the style of an icaros and the shaking shells sound like a chakapa.

They recorded inside a volcano as well, right? I wonder if there's going to be a "Meeting of the Fires."

Definitely ayahuasca vibes present. Man of Oil's chorus features singing in the style of an icaros and the shaking shells sound like a chakapa.

They recorded inside a volcano as well, right? I wonder if there's going to be a "Meeting of the Fires."

Definitely felt like there was a heavy ayahausca reference going on in that song.

What a magical release! A beautiful amalgamation of Campfire, Pullhair, Sleep Cycle, etc.

Agree that it plays like a sequel/companion piece to Campfire Songs, recorded using crisp Painting-era techniques. The front-and-center mixing of Avey's vocals creates a raw immediacy that expertly juxtaposes Geo's loopy forest soundscapes. Feels much more like a sonic interpretation of a place; compared to the stark transportive nature of Campfire.

If Campfire is the observation of the passage of time within a soundscape (night, thunderstorm passing, dawn), this plays like a geographical journey through the jungle. We travel inward, experiencing the beautiful chaos and raw power of nature as it builds to a sonically-overwhelming breaking point.... until suddenly, we reach the quiet core of it all, the eye of the storm.

Would be amazing to blend this with Sleep Cycle into a new mixtape release. Sleep Waters, anyone?

Definitely ayahuasca vibes present. Man of Oil's chorus features singing in the style of an icaros and the shaking shells sound like a chakapa.

They recorded inside a volcano as well, right? I wonder if there's going to be a "Meeting of the Fires."

They didn't record inside a volcano. That was just an comparison made over a year ago of what this session turned out to be

^^ rad, thanks for the clarification

This EP is really, truly wonderful. I'm very impressed, and it fills me with hope for a new studio album.
9/10

U know they both got those bucket hats on in all the photos, we'll never know who is on the cover!
Geo +1

Oh snap good eye!

this reminds me of Tim Buckley, Van Morrison, Mike Cooper etc., its like an anco take on that meandering folk style i really love

Discogs has got one for $24.99 right now. Someone grab it!

I caved and bought one overseas and paid $42 usd including shipping. A little gutting after spending 3+ hours standing outside like a chump at two different record stores but I'm still happy. I have paid WAY more for some other AC vinyl

this is my favorite thing Animal Collective has done in a while. Would love to see songwriting like this continue

I love that Avey sounds kinda out of breath on Man of Oil

jusswerjk wrote:

Discogs has got one for $24.99 right now. Someone grab it!

I caved and bought one overseas and paid $42 usd including shipping. A little gutting after spending 3+ hours standing outside like a chump at two different record stores but I'm still happy. I have paid WAY more for some other AC vinyl

What's the most you ever paid for AC vinyl? I skipped out on a copy of Spirit for $60 once and when I went back a few weeks later it was gone. Biggest mistake I ever made...

Most I've ever paid was, like, $90 or $100 or whatever the Crack Box cost when it first went on sale. Otherwise, I've paid standard record store prices. Reading all this hype about this new EP, though, and the reports of it sounding like the AC of old had me seriously considering paying an inflated price.

Twas a busy weekend, so I missed out on this as part of RSD, but I've been scouring the net and local shops for a reasonably priced copy. Best deal I can see right now is from third party sellers on Amazon UK. Order from Emperor-online or uniqueplace-uk, and it comes out to about $29 US with shipping included. Not bad at all, considering that this probably cost $20-25 in stores. Looks like each of those sellers still have a few copies, so get on it. Now begins the agonizing wait for overseas shipping.

Can't believe I haven't found a copy of this online yet for a preview. If anyone is still willing to share a download, a PM will be greatly appreciated!

Most I've ever paid was, like, $90 or $100 or whatever the Crack Box cost when it first went on sale. Otherwise, I've paid standard record store prices. Reading all this hype about this new EP, though, and the reports of it sounding like the AC of old had me seriously considering paying an inflated price.

Twas a busy weekend, so I missed out on this as part of RSD, but I've been scouring the net and local shops for a reasonably priced copy. Best deal I can see right now is from third party sellers on Amazon UK. Order from Emperor-online or uniqueplace-uk, and it comes out to about $29 US with shipping included. Not bad at all, considering that this probably cost $20-25 in stores. Looks like each of those sellers still have a few copies, so get on it. Now begins the agonizing wait for overseas shipping.

Can't believe I haven't found a copy of this online yet for a preview. If anyone is still willing to share a download, a PM will be greatly appreciated!

Amazing find! Snagged a copy without having to an exorbitant price. Thanks!

Haven't listened to anything but Man of Oil yet but it's just awesome. Really really love it. I'm hoping they have the record at their merch tables next month when they go on tour like they said on Insta but if not I'll snag one off Discogs. How much did you guys pay who found one on RSD?

Got one for $29 after shipping. Thank you BlinkingBuzzard!

Haven't listened to anything but Man of Oil yet but it's just awesome. Really really love it. I'm hoping they have the record at their merch tables next month when they go on tour like they said on Insta but if not I'll snag one off Discogs. How much did you guys pay who found one on RSD?

It was $23 at my record store

Glad to help a few people out in tracking down a copy. And thanks to Victor Borge for the PM. On my second listen now, and this lives up to the hype. I haven't been this into an AC album upon first listen since, boy, must be since Fall Be Kind.

Also, I hear there were only 1200 copies of Meeting of the Waters pressed, but I find it hard to believe that the run was that small worldwide. Is that US only?

man I hope they take this direction further. I love AC most when I believe that anything could be pulled out of their hat

Sorry for intruding ...

But can somebody crunchitize my cap'n ?

Most thanks in advance

managed to get hold of a copy on record store day

a beautiful little release,
selection of a place is espcially great
it would be exciting if they did a LP in this sort of mode

U know they both got those bucket hats on in all the photos, we'll never know who is on the cover!
Geo +1

Nahh, there's a shot of Avey on the inner sleeve where you can see his silhouette and it totally matches the figure on the front cover. Plus, he is holding his guitar upright and you can see the top of it.

Guys. This release is fucking crack and I can't stop listening. What have they done to me.

Blue Noses totally just clicked for me, especially the ending groove at around 11 minutes through to the end. For some reason I get some serious deep house, acid, drum n bass type vibes, but it's like it's a massive party at night with the jungle animals.

Haven't listened to anything but Man of Oil yet but it's just awesome. Really really love it. I'm hoping they have the record at their merch tables next month when they go on tour like they said on Insta but if not I'll snag one off Discogs. How much did you guys pay who found one on RSD?

$23.99

dance avey dance wrote:

Haven't listened to anything but Man of Oil yet but it's just awesome. Really really love it. I'm hoping they have the record at their merch tables next month when they go on tour like they said on Insta but if not I'll snag one off Discogs. How much did you guys pay who found one on RSD?

$23.99

geez glad i skipped out. thats a whole month of weed! i just got grass & water curses ep cds for $5 each but saw the painters ep vinyl for $27?! i gotta cake up i been buying every ac vinyl for too long to stop now!

the MOTW ep though reminds me a bit of paul simon's the rhythm of the saints

Just grabbed a 29.00 one, cant beat that price if you missed out on RSD, or i mean, more power to you if you can, but i felt like getting it out of the way...hoping it actually is only 1200 now that i got my copy, hehehe

i'm hoping that copies will be going for less on the AC website. otherwise i probably won't get one

just dont buy like, three drinks, or whatever bs we all spend money on every day and you're good for the extra 9 bucks

For those still looking for one, check Amazon sporadically as well. Just copped one for 25.

real slippi wrote:

jusswerjk wrote:

Discogs has got one for $24.99 right now. Someone grab it!

I caved and bought one overseas and paid $42 usd including shipping. A little gutting after spending 3+ hours standing outside like a chump at two different record stores but I'm still happy. I have paid WAY more for some other AC vinyl

What's the most you ever paid for AC vinyl? I skipped out on a copy of Spirit for $60 once and when I went back a few weeks later it was gone. Biggest mistake I ever made...

one of the many copies of the first pressing of feels I got was in the 50$ usd range. I think I went through 6 copies before finding one that didnt skip on grass/loch raven.

crack box was 90-100. og hcti with the poster was probably 50s range. young prayer OP was very expensive and I remember paying about 50 for the spirit vinyl about 6 years ago. stevie wonder purple bottle/polly was also pricier than I would have liked considering it had a scratched casing and always has had a staticy sound.

honestly $42 for a new 12" of amazing music is nothing.

Any chance I get a crunchitization? All sold out on RSD

Thanks.

Hahahahah

i called my local record store the other day in hopes they may still have a copy... they were sold out and said they had only been allocated 2 copies anyways.

this is harsh!!

this gets better with every goddamn listen. creeping its way up my favorite AC EPs. it might be tied with prospect hummer for 3rd rn.

Agreee with everyone saying this is a grower.

This release has me wondering why the new psycho actives release wasn't pegged as AC. Maybe that's because they made the songs for that release autonomously?

yeah i think NPA is more like the keep cassette or, like, the TTG stems

the first part of tape player chants is super good though with the horns and beats. maybe not the most fluent way for avey to work but it's really nice