Animal Collective - Grass
[FatCat]

Grass is perhaps Animal Collective’s best work yet, a bold statement considering the acclaim they’ve received over the past twelve months. 2004’s Sung Tongs was fantastically received but left me somewhat unsatisfied, despite its originality and vibrant layers. I adored Prospect Hummer’s sublime seascapes, coupled with Bunyan’s ethereal vocals, but the style didn’t seem to sit so well. The forthcoming album “Feels” is due for release in October, following the single release “Grass”.

Grass is the only piece on this three track release lifted from the album. Must be Treeman and Fickle Cycle are exclusive to the single. Grass is mashed up pop paraphernalia at its best, with melodic peaks preceded by thrashed out troughs. The vocals carry a Modest Mouse sharpness about them, and are used to great effect among the lively rhythms and catchy melodies. Grass is simply contagious and executed marvellously, being a much thicker and melodic track than anything on Sung Tongs.

Must be Treeman is a bold piece of experimental work, building samples upon samples over a distorted loop, working its way out in just over three minutes.

Fickle Cycle turns brilliantly ugly after an effortlessly wonderful intro combining an urgent rhythm and acoustic hooks. The track degenerates into a noise fuelled rant, fusing industrial elements and mashed up vocal layers.

Grass promises great things from Feels, and the two exclusive tracks warrant buying this single anyway