Rising to iconic status with chaotic experimentation and stalwart unpredictability, Animal Collective has taught fans to expect the unexpected. On the heels of 2009’s critically adored and highly accessible (by Animal Collective standards) Merriweather Post Pavilion, it only seems natural for the collective to get wild again.
“Sometimes it won’t come so easy, sometimes you’ve got to go get mad” howls frontman Avey Tare on lead single “Today’s Supernatural.” The lyrical mission statement rides atop an equally bold sonic statement of shredded guitars and crashing drums with a decidedly rock-influenced tone.
But Animal Collective rocks out in its own world — and it’s not an accessible one this time around.
Arpeggiated synthesizers and stuttering samples catch the listener in a typhoon of sound that’s more about aggression than exploration.
The shift partially stems from the return of guitarist Deakin to the band after a four-year absence.
His guitar work recalls the occasional analog grit incorporated on earlier albums like Strawberry Jam (2007) and Campfire Songs (2003).
The aural assault works brilliantly on high-energy tracks like “Moonjock” and “Applesauce,” but becomes overpowering and cumbersome in the latter half of the album, when songwriting quality fizzles out as the noise rages on. Songs like “Mercury Man” and “New Town Burnout” become abrasive quickly, exceeding what would be comfortable for most listeners.
Fans of the band will champion the clutter, but with an hour-long runtime and few lapses in energy, Centipede Hz is likely to leave many listeners with headaches.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
