Music Post

Since January 1, I have purchased a handful of CDs (I'm still old-school, mind you). Only 2 have been recent releases. One is, to my ears, simply astounding. The other is well done, but could have been so much better. Here they are:

1. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion: I got this disc the day it came out in January. I cannot stop listening to it - simple as that. This music feels new, and it makes for an exciting listen. Imagine a postmodern, avant-garde Pet Sounds for our decade, and you pretty much have it. Lots of harmony, lots of cool hooks, lots going on underneath the surface. I have no idea what they are singing about, but the music is simply amazing. It's similar to when I first listened to Radiohead's Kid A back in 2000; you get the feeling that you are hearing something new and different, with just enough melody and hooks to make it sound familiar as well. I wish all young bands were brave enough to make sound collages like this; I bet they do too. I can't really recommend a single standout track, it all sort of flows together, as it should be. Although "My Girls" is a good jumping-off point.
2. U2, No Line On The Horizon: I begrudgingly bought this disc after reading an interview in Rolling Stone a few weeks after it came out. I have been very unimpressed with U2 this decade, especially after How To Dismatle An Atomic Bomb (2004), easily one of my least favorite albums of theirs. So to my surprise, and relief, this new one is pretty good. Darn near classic. The first four tracks are soaring, the last four are excellent - it's the middle 3 songs that just sort of drag the album down into mediocrity. How great this record would have been, if not for "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight", "Get On Your Boots," and "Stand Up Comedy." It truly would have been the collection of 'Future Hymns' they set out to make. If you lost faith in U2 over the last 7-8 years, 8 tracks on this new album are worth believing in them again. 'Unknown Caller' is the most uplifting song about dying I've ever heard, 'Moment of Surrender' is an incredible hymn, 'White as Snow', 'No Line', and 'FEZ-Being Born' are all standouts. Still in heavy rotation after 6+ months: I can't stop listening to Fleet Foxes from last year, both their self-titled debut as well as their Sun Giant EP. Some of their stuff is just as powerful as any song on Automatic for the People, but with harmonies. Why can't a capella church singing groups sound more like this and less like barbershop?