Collected Animals

Just revisiting Down There.. the songs are really resonating with me afresh, a lot of them even in a new way. Ghosts of Books and 3 Umbrellas.. damn wow, better than I remembered.

It doesn't need to be said but 3 Umbrellas makes me fangirl a lot for obvious reasons

I remember when this album was first announced...man I was so excited, I had always wanted to hear an album with this kind of atmosphere. When Avey talked about how this swampworld he was making is his interpretation of his own personal hell, it really resonated with me and I knew before it even came out that I was going to love it. It did not disappoint.
Laughing Hieroglyphics is a masterpiece, the first time I heard that squishy beat it blew my mind...and that melody that pops in when he sings "Now I'd trade in all I'd saved..." is so perfect. 3 Umbrellas makes me insanely giddy (those arpeggios in the chorus, mmmm), great vocal melody too. I absolutely love that synth(?) tone that Avey uses on Oliver Twist, how it kind of sounds like the wind...it sounds dark but beautiful. The way Ghost of Books changes constantly while still remaining in the same "place" is genius, kind of reminds me of what Panda Bear was saying about J Dilla's Donuts when he was doing interviews for Tomboy. Love how it ties in to the whole "changing light" motif in the lyrics. Cemeteries is the most underrated song on here in my opinion, seems like he really nailed the atmosphere he was going for on this song and I love those background vocals that come in during the second half. Heads Hammock is perhaps my least favorite but I still like it a lot, the oscillating tones sound too cool and I love the pitch-shifted vocals in the second half. It has great lyrics as well. Heather in the Hospital makes me tear up a bit, enough said. And Lucky 1 is a great way to end the album, optimistic but in this kind of weird bittersweet way. I'm not sure why but I really love that synth thats backing up Avey's vocal melody when he sings "there have been days you feel so sad", just sounds so perfect.
To top it all off I think this album has some of the best production in any of their albums. It makes me wonder why they aren't willing to produce/mix the Animal Collective albums on their own, but oh well.

Sorry for the long write-up but I can't help but gush over this album. I think its extremely underrated, and though its not my favorite AC-related release its probably the one I connect to most on a personal level.

Gotta go listen to this now.

Yeah when this album was announced I was expecting a really hellish, dark, halloween vibe kind of album, and was a little disappointed by how straightforward a lot of it is, to be honest. I guess I'm still waiting for one the AC gang to put out something truly dark and horror-themed, but maybe Oddsac is the closest we'll get. I just like-a da horror.

That being said, Down There is one of my favorite AC related releases, and it didn't leave the cd player in my car for like 3 months after it freebirded.

Yeah I think Oddsac is probably the closest we'll get to something straight-up dark and scary, but who knows? I definitely wouldn't mind if they started heading down towards that direction.

It was a lot less creepy than I thought it would be.


It was exactly as awesome as I thought it would be.

$10 it was a great buy.

Vinyl?

yup

I got into this album basically a song at a time, which means it definitely took me longer to get into than most AC-related albums.
Not quite as good as most straight AC albums but Laughing Hieroglyphic is one of the best songs avey's ever written.

better than tomboy in my opinion, by a mile too. Sorry panda fans.

every sound on this album is just right.
it is exactly how i feel

Why the HELL wasn't Slow Words on this album? Probably my favorite aside from Laughing Hieroglyphics.

Seriously. And I have a feeling none of those songs will ever see release outside of the bootlegs we already have. But that's okay, the Chicago show was one of the best nights of my life. I love reliving it.

best AC solo release hands down

best AC solo release hands down

yup. person pitch dont stand a chance against this swampy masterpiece

StrangeClamsSequel wrote:

best AC solo release hands down

yup. person pitch dont stand a chance against this swampy masterpiece

yup

Tic wrote:

StrangeClamsSequel wrote:

best AC solo release hands down

yup. person pitch dont stand a chance against this swampy masterpiece

yup

fools.

Hey, we just like the swamp vibe

This album is why I am Avey crazy and not a Panda man.

I'm a Panda man and Avey crazy
Just a bit more Avey crazy

StrangeClamsSequel wrote:

best AC solo release hands down

yup. person pitch dont stand a chance against this swampy masterpiece

I mean i really like this album but jesus christ

They're pretty much equal in my opinion. I might have to give a slight edge to Down There just because I relate to it more, but still there isn't a moment on this album that is as cathartic for me as the second half of Bros. Panda Bear went to the next level right there.

I just love the swamp that Down There takes place in.
Very dark and personal.

avey is just the man. nuff said.

Actually Panda's the man

Actually Geo's the man

Actually Deak's the man

Animal Collective are the men

yup

Where to heck does that exist

I got it used at a record store in Seattle.
Truly a great find!

$10 it was a great buy.

via that chi avey show:

oh sweet!

3 umbrellas live is so good. like one of his best by far, in my opinion.

Everything about Down There is prime..

But I still think 'Sasong' is his best piece ever written as a solo musician.

And yes, I categorize it as solo - lets be honest here.....

got the same thing on my down there as dead in light, in fact I think that was my silver sharpie he used to sign ur copy wasnt it?????

the Chicago show was one of the best nights of my life. I love reliving it.

Same here, dude.