First impressions of Animal Collective were "wow! These guys are completely bizarre!" After a few listens, this album is weirdly relaxing and contemplative all at once. I love this album for working, relaxing, drifting off to sleep or thinking.

Individual track break down:

1. Did You See the Words

The opening track of the album is one of my favourites. The band are very clever with their music and combine a range of instruments and vocal techniques to build a larger picture and gently introduce us to different sensations. This can invoke a synthesis like sensation, where you can imagine that you are floating away, or perhaps I just have an overactive imagination!

2. Grass

This track seems to me very upbeat. The fast beats and almost impatient, fevered vocals at the start of the track build into an even faster paced chorus section. This is another of my favourites, and is very listenable. This track is good for trying to think of something.

3. Flesh Canoe

This song is quite dreamy, sad, nostalgic and romantic all at once. I love the lyrics to this, it is all sung very slowly and one of my favourite lines is "are there better things to do than kiss or sleep today we gotta wake up".

4. The Purple Bottle

It may be the fast pace of this song, but this song makes me feel incredibly productive all of a sudden! It has just occurred to me that this might be a good album to run to and I will try this out tonight!!

5. Bees

This uses some unique sounding instruments, this is slower and somewhat off key. It fits in with the album but I don't think I would listen to it specifically unless I was listening to the whole album.

6. Banshee Beat

A very chilled out track, sounds like drifting off to sleep.

7. Daffy duck

A 7 minute track that builds up and ebbs away, kind of like waves or like going through different phases of sleep. Muffled vocals contribute to this effect.

8. Loch Raven

Similar muffled vocals and an interesting combination of instruments. I particularly like the "sparkly" like sound in the background, you'll know what I mean if you listen. In conclusion I couldn't run to this CD, the latter tracks are too slow paced!

9. Turn Into Something

A more fast paced track to finish the album, giving the sensation of metamorphosis.


--Summary--

Ahh! I can't stop listening to this album at the moment, I don't know what it is, I think I'm going through an Animal Collective phase, but when I first heard them I wasn't so sure, so in conclusion it is a grower and you will either love them or hate them, but give them a go if you have an appreciation for clever, experimental music and dreamy lyrics!