People have already claimed that Animal Collectives highly very highly anticipated new album Merriweather Post Pavilion is the best album of 2009. It was a pretty bold prediction considering it is only one album in January. However the album is mind-blowingly awesome. We have all heard the leak and can all agree that this is an album for the ages. The next question that floated around the message boards is what the critical music review site pitchfork wold give the album. Well it is 5 AM and I can’t sleep. I checked the site and BAM there is MPP and it is sitting with a fucking 9.6. Holy shit.
I have not seen that number for quite some time. Most of the time I believe pitchfork’s reviews are quite pretentious and never actually review the MUISC, but rather anything that irks them. This review however was quite spot on and it was a very good read. This quote is a good summary:
What they’ve constructed here is a new kind of electronic pop– one which is machine-generated and revels in technology but is also deeply human, never drawing too much attention to its digital nature. It’s of the moment and feels new, but it’s also striking in its immediacy and comes across as friendly and welcoming. Animal Collective have spent the decade following their own path, figuring out what their music is capable of while also working to bring more listeners into their world. On Merriweather Post Pavilion, their commitment has paid off tremendously.
Read the whole review here, and take a look at that 9.6. This may just be the album to beat in 2009. Do you hear that Grizzly Bear?
[mp3] : Animal Collective – Brother Sport
(live at NPR) – so easy down now mr. web sheriff!
Peter — 5 Jan 09
It’s pretty much impossible to beat 9.6.
As much as I think the Grizzly Bear album will be BETTER than MPP, I do not think it will get such a high ranking.
camilla — 5 Jan 09
pitchfork gave a 9.7 to radiohead’s in rainbows just a year ago…. not that long
Will — 5 Jan 09
that is true camilla, but its still always amazing to see a high score!
Will — 5 Jan 09
and idk why i missed it but htey gave in rainbows a 9.3 not 9.7
Amneeziac — 5 Jan 09
A 9.6 is the highest ranking given to an album since Arcade Fire’s Funeral (9.7) in 2005. It’s the highest ranking in four years.
It’s a great album, but it certainly isn’t the best album of the past four years.
Deux Deux — 6 Jan 09
Also, Funeral was 2004.