Centipede Hz
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Sep 4, 2012
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. musicOMH.com
    Sep 4, 2012
    50
    For large parts of this record, perhaps for the first time since the group's inception, Animal Collective sounds like a band doing little more than going through the motions.
  2. The Guardian
    Aug 28, 2012
    60
    Centipede Hz sets them up well for the future, without always managing to satisfy in the present.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Sep 4, 2012
    58
    Centipede Hz insists that listeners think their way to liking it.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Sep 4, 2012
    60
    Centipede Hz is not their worst album as some will believe--or as its dense ugliness will first sound--and it may continue to reveal itself over time like TV on the Radio's Nine Types of Light or Spoon's Transference.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Sep 4, 2012
    50
    Centipede Hz may have a lot of interesting elements floating around, and it may be held together by the same strong songcraft that has always sustained Animal Collective, but it's all too murky and familiar, less profoundly complex than inaccessibly complicated.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Sep 20, 2012
    60
    The Baltimore psych-experimental rock band's ninth begins in a youthful and joyous way, but the exuberance unravels into something close to obnoxious chaos.
  8. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 4, 2012
    60
    Amid pell-mell songs such as standout Today's Supernatural there is rarely a pause to draw breath on this fine follow-up.
  9. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 31, 2012
    40
    While there's some interesting moments to be found here, for the most part Centipede Hz is a fatiguing experience.
  10. Prefix Magazine
    Sep 5, 2012
    55
    Like the subjects of these songs, the music itself wanders.
  11. The New York Times
    Sep 4, 2012
    40
    "Merriweather Post Pavilion," had comparatively more open space, medium tempos, and a lot more Panda Bear, who restricts himself emotionally as he tries to make his limited voice beautiful. This record is dominated, even saturated, by Avey Tare, who does not.
  12. Rock Sound
    Sep 6, 2012
    50
    This is a difficult album to love... the overriding impression is of a not entirely pleasant sugar rush.
  13. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Aug 30, 2012
    50
    It's as if by having every tool and style of every era and nation available to them at the press of a button has stripped AC's world of its mystery; as if there's nothing more to discover.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2012
63
#63 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 118
  3. Negative: 7 out of 118
  1. Indiekid39
    Sep 8, 2012
    5
    I love this band and even though their more experimental stuff can be hard to listen to, I still appreciate most of their music for itsI love this band and even though their more experimental stuff can be hard to listen to, I still appreciate most of their music for its innovation and originality. With this album, you can strip away all the noises and gunk that soak the songs and find yourself with an unimpressive foundation. Most of the songs have somewhat interesting sonic ideas, but these ideas never go anywhere. The first song, moonjock, for instance starts off with a jolting beat that gets you excited to hear it and then the song just overwhelms itself with too many sounds that it becomes musical mush. its like wanting to have a smoothie and adding every fruit in existence into it and while it may seem good, when you're done making it you're just left with a smoothie that has too much in it and its not enjoyable at all. I think animal collective should go back to making strawberry banana smoothies.… Full Review »
  2. JoeVotaw
    Sep 7, 2012
    9
    This a really cool record, definitely one of their best. Noisy like Here Comes the Indian, but poppy like Strawberry Jam. If Avey Tare's DownThis a really cool record, definitely one of their best. Noisy like Here Comes the Indian, but poppy like Strawberry Jam. If Avey Tare's Down There had a baby with Strawberry Jam, it would be this album.… Full Review »
  3. scottibear556
    Sep 5, 2012
    9
    excellent album that is receiving negative reviews by folks without patience. this album certainly rewards those who are willing to reallyexcellent album that is receiving negative reviews by folks without patience. this album certainly rewards those who are willing to really listen. these songs are incredibly dense and that seems to turns some people off for some reason. i personally love that i can listen to these songs a bunch of times and keep hearing new things. this album has a sonic aesthetic all its own and while you can certainly hear influences from more traditional genres and eras of music it is all filtered through Animal Collective's unique vision of sound. this album is tough and abrasive but in all the right ways and there are some true moments of beauty throughout.… Full Review »
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