When Animal Collective's eighth album was released at the start of January it was described – half-jokingly by some – as the album of the year. Well, 11 months later and little has surpassed it.
From the point where opening track In the Flowers transforms from murky electronic dirge into a multi-coloured sunburst to the "open up your throat" refrain of Brother Sport, it's a lesson in how to make a great modern rock record.
Having slow-burned into many music fans' ears over a decade of record making, it was both gratifying and odd that – having had seven lauded albums already – Merriweather proved the tipping point for many converts.
It's understandable to see why people were brought over, though. Not only is it slightly more upbeat than previous effort Strawberry Jam, but there are more ideas bubbling away on each song here than on most albums released this year.
It also manages to be all over the place yet knows exactly where it's going, the result being that the Pet Sounds/Smile comparisons made upon its release have proved favourable to both Animal Collective and Brian Wilson. Moments like the pulsating Moroder-does-the-Source intro to My Girls, the bizzare jungle-hop of Lion in a Coma and the spaced-out romance of Bluish are just a few highlights of a wonderful collection from a band who deserve all the acclaim thrown at them – however late.
