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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Strawberry Jam
by Animal Collective
The eighth album from the New York-based group.
| LABEL: |
Domino |
| RELEASE DATE: |
11 September 2007 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Rock, Indie, Experimental |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
100
Drowned In Sound
'Cuckoo Cuckoo' is another moment in which Animal Collective reach a new level of compositional mastery and broaden their territory.
100
No Ripcord
Strawberry Jam, 2007’s strongest album so far.
93
Pitchfork
The album's second half is slightly more abstract than the catchy pop that precedes it, but these moments are tempered, causing the record to feel more focused.
91
Filter
The balance across the album (as opposed to the drop-off second half of Feels) makes it their most forward and enjoyable work to date.
90
Prefix Magazine
Rare is the album that's able to expand an established band's fan base while completely satisfying the cult of early flag planters, but Strawberry Jam has that chance.
90
Delusions of Adequacy
Due to its extreme use of repetition and electronics, it forgoes much of the curious, daydream-esque dynamic which had dominated previous Collective releases, but what has been assembled here is an astute, entrancing deconstruction of pop music. Highly and happily recommended to all.
83
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Animal Collective's abstract and catchy sides are each constantly aware of what the other is doing.
83
Almost Cool
It doesn't seem quite as strong as Feels, but also seems like the group might be on the verge of something even better.
83
cokemachineglow
Strawberry Jam might be art, but more interestingly, Strawberry Jam might be pop. Okay, avant-pop.
80
Billboard
What is exploding, writhing and fermenting behind Avey Tare's erratic voice is what's most interesting about this poppy, though experimental, set.
80
All Music Guide
It makes for an utterly compelling, even obsessive listen.
80
New Musical Express
It's as idiosyncratic and tinged with goofiness as one might expect for a band with members called Panda Bear and Geologist.
80
Blender
The blend of organization--even the oddest, most precarious combinations of instruments sync up--and derangement is Animal Collective's version 2.0 of hippie whimsy, and it's quite a buzz [Oct 2007, p.105]
80
Q Magazine
Strawberry Jam sounds as if it was a blast to make; happily, the fun doesn't stop there. [October 2007, p.94]
80
Under The Radar
The overall portrait is that of a fruitful collision of four like-minded, talented artists bursting with ideas, and smart enough not to take their own genius seriously. [Fall 2007, p.78]
80
PopMatters
The album succeeds more than any of its predecessors because it always entertains and surprises.
80
Uncut
But though much of the record revels in freaky electronics--'Chores' and 'Winter Wonder Land' rush through as though played by pixellated marching bands--there’s an overwhelming sadness to the undertow
80
Sputnikmusic
Animal Collective is a completely different beast on Strawberry Jam, and it’s beautiful at times, it really is.
80
The New York Times
Strawberry Jam, which comes in under 45 minutes, radiates not only hallucinatory good will but also a sense of song craft and suspense.
80
musicOMH.com
Strawberry Jam doesn't promise to be something for everyone, but it will certainly please those with an ear for the strange and surreal--even if you will have to sleep with your light on.
80
Alternative Press
The freakiest freak-folk is rarely as freakish as the more disorienting triumphs of Strawberry Jam, a neo-psychedelic mind-fuck from Animal Collective. [Oct 2007, p.160]
80
New York Magazine
Animal Collective has evolved; its songs continue to meander and digress, but the mania seems driven by a greater sense of purpose.
70
Urb
AC still celebrates soaking up esoterica, but this album is the group's jauntiest, least emulsified. [Sep 2007, p.128]
70
Tiny Mix Tapes
The music tries to express what words can't, which makes this Animal Collective’s most combustive, "live" record yet.
70
Village Voice
Just because there's an onslaught of verbiage and weird noises (like most pop these days) does not a pop album make. It is their most oxymoronic, though.
70
Dot Music
This album's reduced sonic density is both refreshing and slightly disappointing, since the confounding head-rush of their tunes was always a large part of their appeal.
67
Stylus Magazine
A long, exhausting listen, Strawberry Jam will occasionally satiate fans hungry for the band’s strange brilliance.
60
Lost At Sea
The Collective's aspirations come off as bland and blurry, as if aspiration alone was the sole goal for this jam, spread out over three quarters of an hour.
60
Observer Music Monthly
As its title implies, though, Strawberry Jam is strange: luxurious and fractious, wistful and atonal.
60
Dusted Magazine
Strawberry Jam is a mixed proposition if ever there was one.
60
The Wire
The nine songs her give a reason for detractors to raise their voices and for devotees to hope for something a little more evolved. [Sep. 2007, p.49]
60
Spin
The sweetness of Strawberry Jam is savvily balanced by the sour, or at least the edgy. [Oct 2007, p.98]
60
Rolling Stone
The sixth album by this neocommunalist, neopsychedelic quartet improves on 2005's "Feels," flashing more shards of tune to lure the coeds with the Coleman PerfectFlow InstaStart Lanterns over to their adamantly unkempt campfire.
60
Mojo
An album of mischievous melody, fairground keyboards, cut'n'paste aural collage and an undeniable love of pop all but buried in junk shop Dadaist clatter. [Oct 2007, p.106]
The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 108 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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