Centipede Hz - Animal Collective
Centipede Hz Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 87 Ratings

  • Summary: The ninth studio album sees the return of founding member Deakin and co-producer Ben Allen.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Sep 26, 2012
    95
    Although the quartet might not have topped Merriweather Post Pavillion, it did the next best thing: make an album that's entirely new and just as exciting. [No.91 p.52]
  2. Sep 6, 2012
    80
    It's intoxicating listening that demands repeated attention. [Oct 2012, p.102]
  3. Sep 19, 2012
    80
    In reconnecting with the guileless, tribal chaos of their roots, Animal Collective have made another delirious and ecstatic step forward. [Oct 2012, p.87]
  4. 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.

See all 46 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. excellent 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. Expand
  2. 8
    It seems from the first few moments of the ambitious opening track "Moonjack" that AC is on to something great and indescribable. Throughout the album, these sublime moments do occur again here and there, like with the song transitions that sound like an acid-laced radio-tuning session. At the same time, the album does run a bit too long, and there are some moments here that feel unnecessary. But is still a very good album, and occasionally a great one. Not as immediately likable as MWPP, Centipede Hz grows on you after repeated listening. Standout tracks include Moonjack, New Town Burnout, Monkey Riches Expand
  3. 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 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. Collapse
  4. I've been a fan of Animal Collective since the beginning, and I hate to say it, but this album was difficult to get through. Very disappointing. It's about 40% good, which I usually am fully on board with their entire albums. Let down. Expand

See all 33 User Reviews