Um, okay, today begins a new feature of Hatesexy, in which I talk about an album I just do not like no matter how hard I try, and you all, with your far superior and more intellectual taste (I mean, heck, you read me, right?), try to explain to me why I should like it.
First album we'll discuss: Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam.
I just. Do. Not. Get. It. I've tried -- I've listened to the thing like 20 times. I've tried listening to it as a freak-folk album, as a techno album, as a lo-fi album, and all the spaces in between. I've tried to dig into the songwriting, to the singing, to the production. I've read all the glowing reviews calling it a psychedelic cracked masterpiece and gone back and relistened with fresh ears.
To me, it sounds like two total fucking nerds who got a freaking casio and slopped the damn thing together with that paste the retarded kid from your class used to eat. And while that sounds like it might be charming, I don't hear a single charm. It sounds graceless. It sounds clunky. The rhythms jar, and not in a good way. It's all too loud and ugly, and also not in a good way. The synths sound like they were used by people who have only had synths DESCRIBED to them, poorly, by someone in a different language. And the voices GRATE. Oh, how they grate.
To quote Butthead:
"They should, like, try harder. Uh huh. Huh. Uh huh huh."
(Points, btw, for using a totally out-of-date pop culture reference that hasn't been relevant in about ten years, if that. Take THAT, Diablo Cody.)
So, folks: What am I missing?
7 comments:
Jon, you're not *missing* anthing -- Animal Collective sucks. The only thing they've got going for themselves is that they've got a unique sound, but if you don't dig said unique sound...
Well, I have to admit, I really loved Animal Collective's "Sung Tongs" from a few years back, but then I got the Indian one (forget the exact name) and couldn't get into it. Haven't been back since.
Jon, Animal Collective is awesome...NOT! My brother could eek that out playing Frogger.
If I was in a completely altered state or had suffered a traumatic head injury resulting in brain damage, Animal Collective might - emphasis on might - hold some marginal value.
However, I gave up drugs for Lent and am happy to say my brain damage is limited.
In conclusion, Animal Collective sucks wombat ass. Good call.
I was always a fan of your Butthead imitation. You and Chris doing both of them on our answering machine back in 90-something is still a highlight I wish had been saved.
Yep: totally not missing anything.
B-but, Panda Bear is amazing!
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