Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

I came across this whilst perusing the web for some new music to tickle my fancy. Now it's not particularly new (it was realeased over a year and a half ago) but it's new to me so I hope that it qualifies for this blog. It topped of a lot of music blog 'album of the year' lists for 2009 so we can take it that it's what all the cool kids are listening to these days (well the ones who like experimental US indie rock that is). If you can imagine the basterd child of an unholy union of The Beach Boys, Stereolab and MGMT then you wouldn't be far off understanding what this music sounds like. You can probably guess that it's not immediately accessable; there aren't any real stand out tracks apart from perhaps 'My Girls' and 'Summertime Clothes'. This is an album that's meant to be consummed as a whole rather than to have it's individual tracks listened to out of context. If you're willing to give this album a few listens then you'll be rewarded as the dense fractured music slowly reveals the sunny harmonious melodies hidden within. It's also possible that you might hate it so don't blame me. 7/10