Animal Collective has long been known for their experimental work in the psych-pop and neo-electronic genres. They have defined their artistic style with inimitable sounds, passionate vocal leads, and mystery. Unfortunately, Painting With, the group's tenth and newest LP, suffers from a lack of these historically fundamental tenets. The album is driving and direct with production much less chaotic than previous releases. The synths drive fairly generic bass sounds and riffs with no huge surprises. What is most sonically displeasing in this record is the half beat delayed vocals that litter the majority of these tracks. On Delay serves as exposition for the whole effect whilst also creating some clever wordplay with regards to the Spanish, andale.
On that same note, the lyrics from Animal Collective here provide their own moral advice to the listener and reader. While the band has thematically centered themselves around simplicity and humility, this record takes a much more active role in the human experience. Tracks such as Lying in the Grass, which condemns dishonesty and honors the act of pursuing truth, and FloriDada are highly critical and urge listeners to be wary of gut feelings and ephemeral emotions. At the same time, tracks like Hocus Pocus and Summing the Wretch talk on the necessity of experience to create art, to not be a bystander to the world. The album as a whole pins intellectualism against involvement.
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FloriDada pulls in so many American references and capitalist condemnations to the universal, humane pursuit of pleasure that it would take another whole review to cover all of them. What is important to take away from the atmosphere set in this opening track is dadaism, the movement that the single's cover art and chorus references. The track satirizes the appeal of Florida as a tourist attraction. Dadaist ideals are found throughout the lyrics. Avey Tare, the previously enraged voice which is sincerely adrift in this record, said he gained inspiration for FloriDada when he heard a piece on a radio show about "All the Dumb Things People Are Doing in Florida Right Now" and realized how preposterous that really was. Golden Gal stresses an isolated ideal in the record -- gender roles in the twenty-first century. Didacticism is never a struggle for Animal Collective, but this track does some exceptionally poignant work at stating beliefs and assertions in lyrics and composition. The echoed vocals and harmonies here highlight sonic peaks in this album.
Although the holistic work falls short of previous endeavors, namely Merriweather Post Pavilion and Strawberry Jam, key moments in the record garner the emotional receptiveness that I always expect coming into products of this group. I would have loved to see some more vocal intensity and experimental sounds, but I am coming out of this album pleased.
7.5 / 10.0
Songs of Note: FloriDada, Vertical, The Burglars, Bagels in Kiev, Golden Gal
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