Introduction and Animal Collective

Hello, this is my first blog post and is being done as part of an assignment for my News Editing class at DePaul University. I'm simply going to write about a few things I am interested in and post videos. My main interests are most forms of media, especially movies, video games, and music. I suppose I'll just talk about my favorite new albums, games, and movies, and hopefully share some videos of them.

I guess I'll get started by talking about some of my favorite new music of the year. My current musical obsession is a group called Animal Collective, who recently released their ninth album Merriweather Post Pavilion to critical praise. I've been following the band for a few years, and have enjoyed their last few albums tremendously, but Merriweather Post Pavilion has gained my affection like none of the band's previous entries, and that's saying a lot.MPP takes everything that's been great about the band over the past five years (catchy vocals, pleasant melodies, raw, psychedelic freak-outs) and turns it all up to 11. It's one of the most praised records in years and will likely end up atop many a year end best-of list in December. I know it'll be on mine.

If you haven't heard it, I recommend checking it out ASAP, as well as their wonderful back catalog, including the excellent solo work of co-lead vocalist "Panda Bear." Every track on the new LP is truly a winner, but as a preview, here is the cut that has taken up residence in my brain since Christmas and doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon.



Now if that's not catchy, I don't know what is. I love the groove it gets into and it's really a great song to dance to. The lyrics express such a nice sentiment of longing for just the bare necessities in life and realizing the folly of pining for material possessions. It's really a great anthem for the depressed period we are experiencing right now, and an uplifting reminder of what's really important in life.

I think it's worth looking at the song (written by Collective member Noah "Panda Bear" Lennox) that Lennox says inspired "My Girls." It's the house classic "Your Love" by Frankie Knuckles. It's a great song and it's easy to see how it helped inspire the groundwork for "My Girls."



If you liked "My Girls" I suggest heading over to the band's wikipedia page, which is a good resource for learning about their history and checking out their impressive back catalog, here is a link to that page.