Fall Be Kind [EP]
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Dec 15, 2009
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 119 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 161
  3. Negative: 37 out of 161

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  1. MikeM.
    Feb 2, 2010
    10
    Those complaining about this album's fallacies are those with a past bias for animal collective. note all ratings under 5 proclaiming them the "most overrated" band in the world. this has nothing to do with the music, so get your facts straight. this is a charming, addictive, and ultimately successful album that does not waste one moment.
  2. GeoffreyG
    Dec 19, 2009
    9
    Continues Animal Collectives trend of making absolutely gorgeous and unendingly interesting music. What Would I Want? Sky is an amazing song, and Graze and I Think I Can are also awesome. Bleed and On A Highway drone on, but never get boring. Great EP.
  3. quillber
    Sep 1, 2012
    10
    this for me is the best body of work theyve ever done, so open and exciting and bonkers and brilliant. couple of darker tracks. it sounds better than merriweather which for me was quite screechy in parts.
  4. DavidS.
    Dec 15, 2009
    10
    "There's not a cut here that will make anyone think differently about the Baltimore-born outfit" False, your mom wouldn't be down to listen "Alvin Row" but she could most certainly get into "What Would I Want? Sky." This is even more accessible than MPP, you're a crazy person.
  5. marko
    Dec 16, 2009
    10
    Might be better than merriweather, which is ridiculous.
  6. Jovian
    Oct 6, 2010
    6
    One of my least favorite releases by one of my favorite bands. While certain moments border on greatness, most of it feels disjointed and uninspired. The second track is really the only thing on the album worth hearing, even Panda Bear's contribution, I Think I Can, sounds sour and bland to me.
  7. CarlW.
    Jan 26, 2010
    1
    Not good. Loved Merriweather, but this sounded like a lazy, sloppy collection of B sides.
  8. NT
    Jan 26, 2010
    10
    Anyone who said this album sucks is either A) a jealous, unaccomplished, wannabe indie rockstar who is jealous of their abilities as songwriters and musicians or B) has no taste in music and didnt listen to the lyrics. This is an excellent pop album and an excellent an example of honest, heartfelt songwriting.
  9. IsabellaW.
    Jan 3, 2010
    1
    The album was absolutely terrible. I found it was a big waste of time to sit and listen to it.
  10. JT
    Jan 19, 2010
    2
    I always try to be fair and balanced when I write an album review... so here it goes: "Fall Be Kind" is another lackluster release from the world's most current overrated band. All the songs come off as background music for car commercials. But, if you were a fan of 'Merriweather' (and if you are, I pity your taste in music) you may find some tunes on here worth listening to.
  11. DustinC
    Dec 15, 2009
    4
    One of those bands that critics slobber all over themselves to anoint as the saviors of one thing or another and the ultra-hip masses follow in-toe to worship and use a reference to their other cooler-than-mainstream friends. ultimately, when you get down to it, the music is just not that good. sorry i'm not sorry!
  12. JM
    Jan 31, 2010
    10
    It seems that people really miss the point in music when it becomes hyped. This is a beautiful record and I dare you to name a more lovely song than What Would I Want? Sky that was released last year.
  13. thekingisback
    Jan 31, 2010
    10
    Hey Dustin C and J T, you can put your Metallica or DMB or whatever away, we are trying to move past that trite stuff. Call me a hipster or whatever, music is about evolution and these guys make the case in spades.
  14. montag30
    Aug 16, 2010
    10
    I love reading peoples reviews, they make me laugh. I can see why some people don't like Animal Collective, it isn't conventional or typical of American music of this time, and sometimes, I admit, hard to listen to. But I love it. It's so creative and unique and passionate. Graze, What Would I Want? Sky, and I Think I Can are all great songs in my opinion. Some of my favorite AnimalI love reading peoples reviews, they make me laugh. I can see why some people don't like Animal Collective, it isn't conventional or typical of American music of this time, and sometimes, I admit, hard to listen to. But I love it. It's so creative and unique and passionate. Graze, What Would I Want? Sky, and I Think I Can are all great songs in my opinion. Some of my favorite Animal Collective songs. It may take some getting used to when you first start listening to them, but once you get to appreciate it, it is so good.… Expand
  15. muzztmt
    Nov 2, 2010
    10
    The track "I Think I Can" is actually one of the best things AC has ever done during their career. The whole album is just oh, so so great. And guess what? "What Would I Want Sky" only makes this album impossibly better. Somehow.
  16. Mumbercycle
    Apr 30, 2011
    8
    It didn't take long for me to start wishing for more material after the release of the very-fantastic-and-rather-entertaining Merriweather Post Pavilion. Luckily, this EP delivers quite nicely with material pretty close in quality to Merriweather. I applaud them for taking this EP in two different directions- the first half being upbeat and poppy, the second being darker and more abstract.It didn't take long for me to start wishing for more material after the release of the very-fantastic-and-rather-entertaining Merriweather Post Pavilion. Luckily, this EP delivers quite nicely with material pretty close in quality to Merriweather. I applaud them for taking this EP in two different directions- the first half being upbeat and poppy, the second being darker and more abstract. In the middle lies "Bleed", a hypnotic track which reminds me of floating inside a human heart.… Expand
  17. groovygroover
    Oct 10, 2012
    10
    Best EP ever recorded. I could listen to this record all day long. Graze is the most majestic song you will ever hear in your life. The pan flute makes you want to be a kid again and do crazy drugs at the same time. What Would I Want? Sky is equally as compelling and one of the best songs I've ever head. Bleed is a somber middle piece that fits well between WWIW?S On A Highway, a breezyBest EP ever recorded. I could listen to this record all day long. Graze is the most majestic song you will ever hear in your life. The pan flute makes you want to be a kid again and do crazy drugs at the same time. What Would I Want? Sky is equally as compelling and one of the best songs I've ever head. Bleed is a somber middle piece that fits well between WWIW?S On A Highway, a breezy song about longing for a home. I Think I Can, the closing track, is one of Panda Bear's greatest contributions. 10/10 A+ 100% Buy this now.… Expand
  18. a_straats
    Jul 27, 2016
    8
    This is a confusing album at times, but at other times it is very good. It is very layered and a very mellow album and quite peaceful. To think that this was released in the same year as Mpp is astonishing. These guys are never running out of ideas. What Would I Want? Sky is an amazing song. The first ever same from the Grateful Dead is included in this song. It has two halves and both are good.
  19. pugowner
    Apr 24, 2018
    10
    Sky is just fantastic, the rest is very good as well, my favorite AnCo EP, possibly even my all time favorite EP
  20. deadbank
    Feb 28, 2019
    8
    Just like Merriweather Post Pavilion, this is one of the best experimental EPs of all time. Animal Collective has created a beautiful work of art.
    Favorites: What Would I Want? Sky, On a Highway, I Think I Can

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Album of 2009
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Sputnikmusic
    90
    This is Animal Collective at their finest folks, inviting everyone in to see them at their peak and loving the freedom that comes with being on top of the world.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Far from the emperor with no summertime clothes, the five songs on Fall Be Kind--a mixture of holdovers from the MPP sessions and new material recorded this year--retain the electronics, but add some samples and head in a darker thematic direction.
    Read full review
  3. cokemachineglow
    80
    Fall Be Kind doesn’t exactly break past the barriers set by this year’s "Merriweather Post Pavilion," but it is an excellent extension of the ethos captured by that particular record.
    Read full review
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