Hooves on the Turf

[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/CbLu_A3GEC/aus=false/]

Animal Collective’s Strawberry Jam is true to the intention of creating a sound that is akin to the aesthetic of the fruit jam. Skeletons, then, even though two of them wore fluffy dresses, seemed like an odd choice for stage decor. Sadly, however, despite a steady start with “#1″ and the few favorable moments that followed, the music sounded like the superbness of the album was crumbling as the soundtrack to its own ruin. And to this image the three skeletons seemed appropriate, though I’m sure the effect was not as intended.

Continued, and more photos, after the jump.

It wasn’t that the performance was unbearable; far from it – there was plenty to groove to, and the jumping crowd shook the floor throughout “Peacebone”, never minding the cause of sloppiness I had detected: Avey Tare was singing most of the songs, but his singing was unfocused, and his microphone seemed to me louder than everything else. Well into the set, he stopped in the middle of a song, saying that it was too “bassy” on stage and that he couldn’t feel anything, that it was a disaster up there: “Really, I apologize, those last songs should’ve been better”. He sounded heart-broken in his apology, though the audience was supportive and some yelled assurances. Having already heard an unimpressive performance of “Fireworks” prior to this, the announcement came to me as good news, as we were at least in agreement, especially since it was he who laid the foundation for Strawberry Jam and we all knew what a great record it was.

When they started playing “Brother Sport” next, it was as if now that we had been relieved of the confession, all was going to be well. But it is Noah Lennox who sings “Brother Sport”, and he, who barely reacted when Avey Tare bailed, had been good throughout, in playing as well as the little singing he had done. The confidence and focus he brought to singing “Brother Sport” made all the difference (even in Avey Tare’s performance), and so was the case in “Leaf House”, the last song. Unlike earlier in the show, this turn of events left me with wanting just a little bit more, and the thunder that rolled through the audience said that everyone else hadn’t had enough either. When apologizing, Avey Tare had said that they would try to make it better and that they couldn’t give up yet. But the blue flood of light stayed still in anticipation, and after what seemed like a long wait for an encore, the lights went on as did the house music. It was only then that the audience booed.

NYC Taper has a recording of this show

September 30, 2007
Webster Hall