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

The video montage projected behind Animal Collective’s Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) made his solo show all the more arresting. Though with little to say and a strange sort of serenity (despite all the bristling moods his songs convey), his solitary presence was already captivating to begin with. But there was something the visual display conveyed- via flashes of naked bodies, bearded men, a roller-coaster make-out scene, amongst others- that made the connection between his music and the audience more instinctive. Noah went from song to song without a pause, playing plenty of material from Person Pitch. He finally spoke in the end to thank others who played and those in attendance. There was no encore, but the set was not short. Animal Collective band member Avey Tare watched almost the entire show from the side of the stage.

More photos and other bands after the jump.

The more exciting moments from Rusty Santos were those that featured impressive drumming, the feel of it comparable to Animal Collective. At other times Rusty was wailing, convulsing, on the floor, getting right into it.

Kria Brekken, formerly Kristin Anna of the icelandic band Mum, sat at the piano to accompany her childlike voice. It feels like it twinkles, and with the warm, prancing sound of the piano, she might’ve been a music box herself. Her playing was not about extravagance, but rooted in classical influences, it featured fun murmurings. The audience was respectfully silent throughout the show, but more noticably during her quiet set.

Scott Mou was playing by the time I got there. His video montage, featuring bizarre animations at times, was even stranger.

Bowery Ballroom
June 18, 2007

Photo: logan takahashi

Pier 17 is not my favorite venue, but Seaport Music Festival has an exciting line-up this year. I made it to the opening night just in time to catch the uniformed Danielson wrapping up, and not sounding very spectacular. An early drizzle had cooled things down a bit, but by the time Animal Collective took stage, the weather was holding up and there was enough body heat to make for a sticky night. The turnout, for the first of the many outdoor shows coming up this summer, was impressive. Afterwards we loitered across the street from the Broadway Nassau train station, and the stream of concert-goers heading home seemed endless. There was barely any space between people at the show, but several of my neighbors showcased some inspired dancing anyway.

Continued after the jump.

Photo: aaron headley

Animal Collective, in any case, was a blast to watch, despite the weird view I had. Panda Bear and Avey Tare are both fun singers, though my favorites were the ones in which Panda Bear sang and Avey Tare yelled/shrieked. Panda Bear has a way of singing, more apparent when his face is broadcast on the screens on either side of the stage, that seems very dedicated. Geologist joined the two with his gadgets on the table, headlamp on once it got dark. They played a few new songs, which probably means they’ll be on the forthcoming Strawberry Jam, and these sounded very good.