Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
CD Review: Animal Collective's "Strawberry Jam"
()
Artist: Animal Collective
Album: Strawberry Jam
Label: Domino Recording Company
Release Date: September 10, 2007 - Today
I know there are some folks who hate my reviews so maybe this is the band for you. When I first put this CD on in my car I was pissed because I had thought I'd blown my speakers out - imagine my relief in discovering that my speakers were fine and that it was simply this recording that was missing the entire lower half of the sound spectrum.
Throughout all of Animal Collective's songs is the pervasive tinny keening of millions of insects through which pierces the reedy voice of 1/4 of the band, Avey Tare, who oscillates from singalong yodeling to screechy screams. All the songs have a layer of psychedelic reverb that sometimes makes discernment of instrumentation impossible.
Support for LAist comes from
I'm not saying that all of this is bad and I'm not about to say that I "get it" for every set of recordings that get handed to me but I do have to say that I had a hard time with this one. The song where everything seemed to mesh perfectly, where the rhythms and reverb complimented each other, where the melodies and vocals (both screeched and sung) came together beautifully, was "For Reverend Green" found midway through the album. When looking through a microscope, as you move the lenses towards each other, you start with a blur, then you have a moment of clarity where you see this other world of amoebas, plankton, cysts and spores, and then you move on by and are back into a haze of fuzziness and outlines. That's exactly what this record was for me.
This doesn't mean that there aren't denizens of this world, who live and breathe this kind of music. Obviously I'm an outsider but I found at least one song to latch onto, a message that Animal Collective communicated to me. Maybe it's a production thing, maybe I'll be able to read more into the next CD, I'm certainly willing to give it a try. Maybe seeing the band live transcends the many limits that recordings can impose. We have our chance to see if this is true:
Animal Collective play in LA on Tuesday September 18th at the Henry Fonda Theater.
Animal Collective's very funny/weird "Peacebone" video:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist