Most bands save their best material for full-length albums, meaning that EPs are often cobbled-together collections of songs deemed unfit for LP-inclusion. Not Animal Collective, however. The title track of last year’s Water Curses remains one of the catchiest and most accessible songs the band has ever written, although the fact that it’s not on an LP means that’s it’s doomed to be ignored by most casual fans.
Now, Animal Collective is repeating history on Fall Be Kind, a five-song collection that features “What Would I Want? Sky,” which is easily one of the group’s career highlights. A two-part suite, it opens with three minutes of swirling synths, start-stop beats and wordless vocal chants. Then, halfway through, it changes completely, as a Grateful Dead-sampled vocal hook takes over and the percussion eases into an almost-but-not-quite-danceable groove. The real treat is listening to the way singer Avey Tare interacts with the vocal sample, playing off its melody and even borrowing its lyrics, finishing his verse asking, “What what you want? Sky.”
Although it’s the clear standout, it’s hardly Fall Be Kind’s only treat. “On a Highway” is a riveting description of life on tour, its echoing keyboards and dark, bubbling ambience transforming the mundane details of a long drive (motion sickness, needing the bathroom) into a haunting daydream. “Graze” starts off with three minutes of shimmering synth washes, sounding a bit like a futuristic version of the score to a Disney film (with Avey Tare singing over top). In the last two minutes, it suddenly explodes into a goofy flute jig, similar in tone to Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge.”
Of course, since it’s only EP, Fall Be Kind is unlikely to reach the same audience as Merriweather Post Pavilion reached earlier this year. It’s a shame, since these songs are worthy of the same attention as “My Girls” or “Brother Sport.” Still, knowing Animal Collective, there will be more brilliance right around the corner.
Fall Be Kind is available now as a digital download. It will be released on CD and 12″ vinyl on December 15 via Domino.
Now, Animal Collective is repeating history on Fall Be Kind, a five-song collection that features “What Would I Want? Sky,” which is easily one of the group’s career highlights. A two-part suite, it opens with three minutes of swirling synths, start-stop beats and wordless vocal chants. Then, halfway through, it changes completely, as a Grateful Dead-sampled vocal hook takes over and the percussion eases into an almost-but-not-quite-danceable groove. The real treat is listening to the way singer Avey Tare interacts with the vocal sample, playing off its melody and even borrowing its lyrics, finishing his verse asking, “What what you want? Sky.”
Although it’s the clear standout, it’s hardly Fall Be Kind’s only treat. “On a Highway” is a riveting description of life on tour, its echoing keyboards and dark, bubbling ambience transforming the mundane details of a long drive (motion sickness, needing the bathroom) into a haunting daydream. “Graze” starts off with three minutes of shimmering synth washes, sounding a bit like a futuristic version of the score to a Disney film (with Avey Tare singing over top). In the last two minutes, it suddenly explodes into a goofy flute jig, similar in tone to Spinal Tap’s “Stonehenge.”
Of course, since it’s only EP, Fall Be Kind is unlikely to reach the same audience as Merriweather Post Pavilion reached earlier this year. It’s a shame, since these songs are worthy of the same attention as “My Girls” or “Brother Sport.” Still, knowing Animal Collective, there will be more brilliance right around the corner.
Fall Be Kind is available now as a digital download. It will be released on CD and 12″ vinyl on December 15 via Domino.
