The Pelican’s Perch

6. Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam

A couple weeks ago, this album would have been one of the top two albums on this list. But as things work usually for me, I slightly burned myself out on this album. That’s only to say I really like it instead of am obsessing over it. Of course, I wouldn’t give it a 9.3 like Pitchfork, that’s just crazy, but a solid 8.0 or so would be my score. Animal Collective have always been hit or miss with me, with their previous releases being full of songs I absolutely loved (You Could Win a Rabbit), coupled with ambient songs I’d skip every time (Visiting Friends). With Strawberry Jam, they’ve finally made a consistent album without any real deviations from their weird pop songs. That’s not to say most of you won’t hate it. I mean, it is Animal Collective, but as far as they go, this album is surprisingly catchy, straightforward pop for them and that’s probably why I’ve grown to like it so much.

Peacebone

Peacebone Live at the Malta Festival
[youtube fDuCjiyXK6I]

Peacebone / Fireworks (videos)

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5. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

I’ve admitted my bias towards Band of Horses. I was almost in their video for “Great Salt Lake” (photo evidence, this is the exact moment in the video when it’s slow motion and he hits it, starting the rocking part of the song), with the scene with me carrying the second keg being cut. Damn the luck! But Amy and I hung out with the band, and all their friends and fans at the softball park one day while I was living in Seattle and they’re all very down to Earth, cool guys like you’d expect. I got to hear their debut album probably more than I’d wanted since I was interning at Sub Pop and someone somewhere was always playing Sub Pop releases. But it was one of my favorites from last year. Fast forward to the present and we have their follow-up, Cease to Begin. What a follow-up it is. I didn’t really expect anything from it, but was still excited to finally hear it. What I heard was an album I instantly knew I’d love, and that’s exactly what has happened. It feels like a slightly more complete album to me, with every song but maybe one being simply great. Ben Bridwell and his Band of Horses have definitely found their stride and I couldn’t be happier. Do yourself a favor and head over to Sub Pop to pick up your copy of Cease to Begin.
Stan-outs: Is There a Ghost, Marry Song, Detlef Schrempf, and Cigarettes Weddings Bands

Is There a Ghost

Bonus:
Great Salt Lake video (starring me slightly off screen)
[youtube IUTkWIx6xu0]