Animal Collective Teases, Pulls Out, Doesn't Call Back

...that's what she said! Entering into serious music journalist mode, though, there's been quite a flurry of news in Animal Collective land since my last Bandwidth installment detailing my then-upcoming trip to New York City to hear the band's upcoming release Merriweather Post Pavilion at an exclusive listening party. (The fine people at Stories in High Fidelity have published my review, and it's a very exciting read, if I do say so myself.) To catch everyone up, the blogosphere exploded on November 17th when UK-based Fact Magazine posted two short clips of the tracks "Bluish" and "Also Frightened" on their website. Although the files were quickly removed, other bloggers and fans quickly began to spread the clips around the Internet Super Highway. That evening, things escalated further when an unknown French podcast leaked the album's closing track "Brother Sport" in its entirety---save the last 20 seconds, which featured an enthusiastic French DJ singing the praises of the song in his native tongue. Naturally, Animal Collective's label, Domino Records, scrambled to remove all links to the tracks from the internet. Even I became victim of Domino's ruthless ways when, on the morning of November 18th, I received an angry email from the "WEB SHERIFF" on behalf of Domino, demanding I remove the files from streaming links on my own music website. In the wake of this 'catastrophe,' two more listening parties have been scheduled in the UK, and word on the street is that Domino is preparing to make an important announcement regarding Merriweather within the next 24 hours. But, for the time being, Animal Collective fans must simply wait with their fragmented mp3 teasers to hold them out until January. It's hard, I know...But resist the temptation to text them. They'll call you when they're ready.

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I Am Insane: Or, How One Devoted DJ Will Fly Cross-Country to Hear Merriweather Post Pavilion Three Months Early

Let me preface everything I am about write by briefly defending myself and my character: 1. I am, by no means, an impulsive person. I fervently calculate, analyze, examine, and quantify every aspect of my life before making a decision. Shit, it just takes me thirty minutes of my lunch break to decide if I want a salad or a sandwich from Trader Joe's. 2. I love music, but I am not a fangirl. (And that year-and-a-half period when I was in middle school and loved N'Sync should not count against me.) I do not have pictures of Ralf and Florian from Kraftwerk plastered on my wall, nor do I have printouts of a late-1970s Elvis Costello surrounded by hearts hanging above my bed. (I do have a Joy Division poster, but it is rather hard to fall in love with all that dark, English brooding.) Taking all that into consideration, it seems highly out-of-line for yours truly to do what she's about to do this upcoming Tuesday. But first, a history lesson. Notably weird and ingenious experimental indie group Animal Collective has, through a series of cryptic videos and website updates, recently revealed the status of their upcoming ninth (NINTH??) studio album. Titled Merriweather Post Pavilion, the album---rumored to be their most ambitious and epic album yet---is set to be released on January 20th. Most Animal Collective fans find themselves forced to sit on their haunches with a heavily-revised tracklisting and a triptastic album cover until the albums drops (or leaks.) But not me. (No, seriously.) Enter another cryptic blogosphere-type message from the boys of AC---an album listening party on October 28th in Harlem. Upon hearing this, my mind turned into a jumble of the following: "WHAT? MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION BEFORE ANYONE ELSE HEARS IT?" "ZOMG NO WAI!" "AHHHHH!" (Repeat ad nauseum.) After consulting a Los Angeles friend currently visiting family on the Eastern seaboard, my bank account, and my week's schedule, I decided such an opportunity would be too hard to pass up. So, I purchased a deliciously cheap ticket to New York City, made plans to stay with an old high school friend, and nabbed a press spot for the evening. (Yes, I really am this crazy.) Now, I wait. (And sometimes, question my sanity. Why on earth am I flying several thousand miles to hear an ALBUM? It's not a live show, the band probably will not show up...So why?) And now, is where I get cheesy. The amazing thing about music---and especially the music of Animal Collective---is that it possesses such a haunting resonance, such an affective nature, that it forcibly permeates your skin, pushes through your muscles and tendons to slink into your bones for the rest of your mortal existence. It clings to you desperately, opening your eyes wider, letting down your self-made barriers, reminding you of the wonderful, the beautiful, and the altogether magical things residing within the universe. Some people cling to other vices to experience such revelations, but to me, my gateway into this quasi-nirvanic state is music---pure, simple, inspired. Maybe I am a little crazy---or maybe you are just a little bit jealous---but a little spontaneity never hurt anyone, did it? Full review, report, and other related tidbits when I return the following evening.

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New Animal Collective

Their new album is due out in January on Domino Records. Entitled MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION, Animal Collective's latest is sure to be spectacular, considering it's named after a venue in Columbia, Maryland... one of the nation's first planned suburban cities - a 20 minute drive from AC's hometown of Baltimore. Check out their website for some crazy noise and a fishy video. I think they reworked a Boogie Bass.

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