Collected Animals

on the magnolia

Soul Capturer:

What an introduction. I believe this song was a later addition to this crop of tracks?? If so - it absolutely shows. Feels like it’s from a different world. In a nice way though. It’s like you’re being gently pushed towards the edge of a cliff before you eventually slip and fall into Genie’s.

Genie’s Open:

On first listen, the opening sounds of this track made me tear up a little. There’s something so comforting about Genie’s - you just feel like you’re in a safe hands right from the start. Almost want to say that Genie’s is like the mission statement for this whole era of the band. It’s the sound of Skiffs and IIN at its core for 8 minutes. It’s like everything else is orbiting around Genie’s.

Broke Zodiac:

I feel like I’ve seen people saying in the last year that PB saves his best stuff for his solo work and the band gets the less exciting stuff. After last year’s Car Keys and now Broke - I must disagree. Car Keys became one of my most listened to AC tracks ever and I can already see the exact same thing happened with Broke.

That chorus is just absolutely massive. Glorious. I really love how fucking dour this record is - and the production goes a long way in achieving this. So intimate and dry. It’s almost as if this is the biggest sounding small album I’ve ever heard. If that makes any sense whatsoever. This element really took me by surprise.

Magicians:

God this is an all timer. I think this might be the AC track that sounds the most like a solo-Avey release. I like that!! Just listening to 7s the other day, I was thinking all these tracks could have been improved will the rest of the band behind them.

Really joyful track to my ear. Especially in the midst of a bunch of songs which is generally quite melancholy. I really need time to dive into this one more. I just know i love it a lot.

Defeat:

Now obviously I knew this was a big one. I must say, this actually did take me by surprise because it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I think I thought at some point the track was gonna explode. Pounding drums and screeching saxophone. Avey screams. That sort of thing. Instead it’s a more consistent gentle sadness for 20 minutes. I LOVE IT. That last chunk, the last 6 or 7 minutes, is just unbelievably beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the boys do something that sounds this mature.

Quite funny to hear the album title in this context. In my head - Isn’t it Now? was a positive question - it’s quite clear to me now that this isn’t the case at all.

Gem & I:

Not sure about this coming straight after the bleak ending of Defeat but I’m sure I’ll be able to rationalise it in my head in some way. POP perfection from PB once again.

I saw there was some debate over BUM BUM - which I assume wasn’t present in earlier live versions of the track? Obviously this is my first time hearing the song, but i think the track would feel a little empty without them. Big fan!

Really enjoyed the lyrics on this one. Just telling you to sit back and vibe. (and potentially a comment on the current state of the band?)

Stride Rite:

Unfortunately this is the only track that isn’t immediately working for me at the moment. It’s not even that I dislike what I’m hearing - it’s just that my brain can’t retain or process what I’m hearing, in the same way as the rest of the songs. I generally quite like Deakin songs so not sure why this one isn’t sinking in. Will probably work for me on further listens. I’ll force it.

Piano is beautiful! Vocals are great! Lyrics are very Deakin-y! For whatever reason, my brain is just blocking it out. Can’t really say too much more until the track opens up for me.


All The Clubs Are Broken:

Not even sure where to start with this. Completely bewildering. A brief moment of delirium while lost in the sea of light.

Without a doubt the craziest ear-worm on the album for me. Catchy in a way you don’t usually get from Avey. Does this really fit with the rest of the songs? Maybe it will with time but kinda sticks out to me right now. Feels like it’s own thing. I wonder if this is any indication of where the band are going next. Full ABBA mode for the next record.

Kings Walk:

Just bringing the plane into landing for this last one. Wrapping things up with some good old fashion AC tropes. Not an issue with that at all. On first listen, was surprised by how many times this song sounded like it was about to finish then kept going. Fun stuff.

Anyone ever think the band sounds a bit like The Beach Boys?