The primordial musical beast that is Animal Collective has released another fine addition to their legacy of an off-the-wall, noisy and completely interesting musical style. Strawberry Jam contains many basic elements consistent with Collective's previous albums like 2005's Feels, complete with nonsensical lyrics, meandering melodies and in-your-face energy.
The band members, who have their own strange stage names (Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist and Deakin) are completely insane -- well, at least musically. While listening to Strawberry Jam I often found myself wondering what would drive a man to make this type of music. That might sound negative, but the style is completely refreshing. Animal Collective's newest release is proof that creativity is indeed not dead; it still lives in the hearts of four crazy men.
Strawberry Jam is not an easy listen to say the least. It's dissonant, loud, complex and plain weird. What shines through are fantastic and diverse musical ideas reminiscent of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. That might sound like a strange comparison, but songs like "Derek," "Peacebone" and "For Reverend Green" are great examples of some of the album's strongest songs, full of Beach Boys-esque catchy vocal melodies, lots of falsetto and harmonies.
What makes Animal Collective so unique is the way in which they express their essential core ideas. Relying on rhythm, repetition and very dense layering, these would-be simple songs are morphed into unique, dynamic gems worthy of Animal Collective's revered repertoire.
"Peacebone" starts off with hectic, repeating synthesizers that slowly shift into rhythm with each other as Avey proclaims, "A peacebone got found in a dinosaur wing / it was a jugular vein in a jugular girl," keeping consistent with the style of not making any sense. The downbeat pulses with a strong bass line and blends well with the twittering synths. Invoking an ambiance of a broken-down carnival, the song bounces along like an old rickety wooden roller coaster with plenty of momentum, sprinkled here and there with shouts, screams and primal roars. It certainly is quite a ride.
Strawberry Jam is the outcries of suppressed human nature articulated in musical form. It's confusing, loud, wild and free, all culminating in a listening experience that is far too uncommon these days. If class has got you feeling like you need to let go and scream, pop in Strawberry Jam and let your inner animal run free! Animal Collective has skillfully pieced together energetic, chaotic songwriting that speaks to the dormant free spirit in all of us. Just remember one thing: Turn up the volume!
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