What a show! I was fortunate enough to catch a great show last night at the HOB Las Vegas by the group Animal Collective. They are touring to support their latest release titled Merriweather Post Pavilion. The band from Baltimore, Maryland, has four members, Josh Dibb, Noah Lennox, David Portner and Brian Weitz. They have been touring sans Josh Dibb as he has chosen to take a little time away from the band. Sonically, it doesn't seem like they have missed a beat, no pun intended.
As they started the show, you see a huge, round orb hanging from the ceiling. Throughout the show, many different images are projected onto and , seemingly, into the orb. They ranged from pictures to different colors and textures. The images would pulsate and flow as well. It was a nice effect complimenting the color-pulsating bases on which they had their various electronic devices and mics stationed. It was tough to get really good pictures with my phone as HOB does not allow cameras into the venue.
Since I have only listened to a few of their CD's, I found it difficult to believe that they could recreate the intricate sounds that they produce on their recordings. It was a real treat to see how they crafted this show. There were only a few true breaks in the music throughout as one song just flowed right into the next. To put a category on the style is doing the show an injustice. If forced to, I would say it was a mixture of rave, pop, electronic and experimental noise.
Unique does not begin to describe the show. There are so many different combinations of electronics from the keyboards and other equipment. Noises and samples are layered into the song structure that truly accentuate the texture of the experience, pulsating perfectly with the lights throughout the show. Didgeridoo, birds, and other abstract noises are recognizable and woven expertly throughout the show. Vocally, the band members sounded great. They would switch off duties every few songs while the other members would assume percussion or keyboard duties.
The videos from my phone sucked ass, too, but it will give you an idea of the light show aspect, check out the video just above my Guinness posting.
The opening act was an artist named Grouper. Liz Harris is the mastermind behind this low-key style music. She uses a guitar as she sits and uses lots of overdubs and sound loops through the use of pedals and small sound boards right at her feet. One magazine recommends listening to Grouper if "you used to play Kate Bush records through a walkie-talkie for extra eerieness." A very appropriate description for her haunting vocals and shoegaze-style.
I will definitely see Animal Collective again, if they come back into town. They were danceable, fun, and etherial all at the same time. An interesting combination for a band that certainly defies catagorization. If they play at a venue near you, don't hesitate to pick up tickets to check out a very unique experience and one of the best shows I've seen in the past few years.
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