Merriweather Post Pavilion
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jan 20, 2009
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 627 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 537 out of 627
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 627
  3. Negative: 55 out of 627

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  1. Buck
    Apr 28, 2009
    1
    For people who prefer to think about music rather than enjoy it.
  2. RonanS
    Apr 26, 2009
    9
    This album has so many gorgeous little details it's very hard to get bored of it. While the lyrics are often hard to make out Of those I have heard I totally love. A slow-burning and ultimately very rewarding album
  3. normf
    Apr 21, 2009
    10
    This album is simply a great album of transcendent beauty. Their capacity to make electronic music warm and the astounding generosity of its sound and lyrics make this a great achievement
  4. PaulJ
    Apr 16, 2009
    7
    Loved it at first, particularly the first track, but I've tired of it relatively quickly. It made me return to Feels which was a real slow burner - and which I now on balance think I prefer.
  5. MikeD
    Apr 13, 2009
    0
    I like a bit a of wierd...but this album is just confusing, noisy and overated...and all the 'sheep' here would NOT have giving it 10/10 if the critics had slammed it!!!! It just aint Music people!!!!
  6. DaveL
    Apr 13, 2009
    10
    Easily album of the year so far!
  7. WillP
    Apr 12, 2009
    8
    not as good as strawberry jam. but close, awefully close. more immediate and--unfortunately--more superficial. still beautiful music nonetheless.
  8. AnthonyM
    Apr 12, 2009
    8
    If I could have, I would have given this album something between 7 and 8. At first, it was off-putting and it didn't feel like Animal Collective at all. Especially following Panda Bear's Person Pitch side project. It took me a few listens to discover the signature Animal Collective sound weaved in with some of the new style. Overall, it's a good album, but maybe not as good If I could have, I would have given this album something between 7 and 8. At first, it was off-putting and it didn't feel like Animal Collective at all. Especially following Panda Bear's Person Pitch side project. It took me a few listens to discover the signature Animal Collective sound weaved in with some of the new style. Overall, it's a good album, but maybe not as good as many people seem to be making it out to be. Definitely not crap as some people are saying. They probably listened to a song or 2 one time and didn't "get it" so they just gave up.… Expand
  9. JodieL
    Apr 2, 2009
    8
    As always with Metacritic I can't understand all the 10 scores, a 10 should be reserved for the greatest albums you've ever heard, not just for the best album you've heard this year. That being said this is still a really good solid album, I didn't like it at first listen, as I had been listening to Strawberry Jam in the weeks leading up to release, and it is nothing As always with Metacritic I can't understand all the 10 scores, a 10 should be reserved for the greatest albums you've ever heard, not just for the best album you've heard this year. That being said this is still a really good solid album, I didn't like it at first listen, as I had been listening to Strawberry Jam in the weeks leading up to release, and it is nothing like that (repeated listening is rewarded though). But as with all good bands they can change their sound about and still make good music/albums. It is the front runner for my album of the year at the moment, but it has been a slow year so far, it will definitely be top 10 for the year though.… Expand
  10. FarrajD
    Apr 1, 2009
    0
    This music is so bad, it could be used as an instrument for torture.
  11. AiT
    Mar 31, 2009
    7
    I've continued to listen to this album for the last four days, the music is deep and overwhelming, in a really good way, this album keeps the mind and emotions on point.
  12. VinceH.
    Mar 30, 2009
    9
    It is an amazing batch of songs. While I don't think it is a front-to-back masterpiece 6r life changing album like Strawberry Jam, it is still the best indie rock album of the year so far. This is also the best work that Geologist has ever done on any of their albums...in the Pitchfork interview he said he tried to contribute more melodic samples than on past LP's and you can It is an amazing batch of songs. While I don't think it is a front-to-back masterpiece 6r life changing album like Strawberry Jam, it is still the best indie rock album of the year so far. This is also the best work that Geologist has ever done on any of their albums...in the Pitchfork interview he said he tried to contribute more melodic samples than on past LP's and you can tell. The sonic maninpulations going around in these songs just add so much. Each song almost sounds like as it ends it is drowning in the ocean or something...it's hard to explain.… Expand
  13. ZaneS
    Mar 27, 2009
    6
    Very weird. Very weird.
  14. KurtC
    Mar 27, 2009
    10
    Exceptionally solid album from beginning to end. More melody and harmonies than past albums. They're venturing out into more uncharted electronic territory (while still carrying their guitars and floor tom along). Great listen.
  15. DeanB
    Mar 27, 2009
    9
    A thrilling roller-coaster ride of an indie-pop album, creating a maddening euphoric buzz in your head which stays with you - and grows.
  16. NeilL
    Mar 25, 2009
    10
    Brilliant. I received this album over a week ago and have been listening to nothing else since. From the evidence, it seems that those who dislike the album dislike it simply because of the overwhelming critical praise for it as well as the AC fanboy club's near mindless defence of it as "the greatest album ever produced by mortals". Which is really no reason to dislike the album in Brilliant. I received this album over a week ago and have been listening to nothing else since. From the evidence, it seems that those who dislike the album dislike it simply because of the overwhelming critical praise for it as well as the AC fanboy club's near mindless defence of it as "the greatest album ever produced by mortals". Which is really no reason to dislike the album in itself. I initially came across this album perchance, without any preconceptions. Until a month ago I didn't even know who Animal Collective were. But this is a seriously good album, despite the hype.… Expand
  17. SebastianS
    Mar 23, 2009
    9
    You need to take just the same amount of mind altering substances you need to take when listening to The Beatles, Pink Floyd or Miles Davis. Nothing... Artists have been freaky for a long time, that doesn't mean you have to be on drugs to enjoy it... That is my opinion. There would be little music left for me to listen to if it was otherwise. This album is like what The Beach Boys You need to take just the same amount of mind altering substances you need to take when listening to The Beatles, Pink Floyd or Miles Davis. Nothing... Artists have been freaky for a long time, that doesn't mean you have to be on drugs to enjoy it... That is my opinion. There would be little music left for me to listen to if it was otherwise. This album is like what The Beach Boys and Pink Floyds folksong singing lovechild would sound like.… Expand
  18. Raiford
    Mar 21, 2009
    8
    This is not a bad album, neither is it as life-changing as the critics make it out to be. Definitely AC's most poppy. The sad thing is that AC has made two superior albums prior to this that received much less attention. The quirk that permeated Strawberry Jam is missing here, for better or for worse.
  19. GB
    Mar 20, 2009
    10
    I got this album in late January, and since the day of purchase i've listened to it every single day. This album is a landmark.
  20. X
    Mar 19, 2009
    10
    All the average reviews are complete nonsense, believe the hype.
  21. ShazZ.
    Mar 17, 2009
    6
    Most of the people here suggest listening to this album more than once to understand it's impact. With me, unfortunately, it happened the other way round. The first listening if this album was so overwhelming for me, I was like, "Wow!", that the subsequent ones have been disappointing. Maybe, I will begin to appreciate it more later. Still "Summertime Clothes", "My Girls" are great tracks.
  22. KenM
    Mar 17, 2009
    6
    I'd like to give it points for its brazen, happy weirdness but there are a whole bunch of bands doing that right now too. Unless you are using the same mind altering substances the band uses when making these tracks, you may find listening to this as forgettable as I did. Listen to stereolab's earlier experimental work and that's better than anything we get here.
  23. siml
    Mar 5, 2009
    9
    Pretty good. For me its pretty usual that a good album needs many listening so im not going to claim that again. Last time a heard a good album like this was Foals. Have a good time !
  24. JeremyK
    Mar 5, 2009
    9
    Animal collective are masters of the art of looping and sampling. They are almost always "difficult" to listen to, but the rewards of a band like this make the initial confusion worth it. You have to let this beast swallow you whole before this album makes any sense. To a casual listener, this music comes across as jumbled mess of noise. It can be a layered and looped nightmare of a Animal collective are masters of the art of looping and sampling. They are almost always "difficult" to listen to, but the rewards of a band like this make the initial confusion worth it. You have to let this beast swallow you whole before this album makes any sense. To a casual listener, this music comes across as jumbled mess of noise. It can be a layered and looped nightmare of a record to listen to. I think you either love this band or you hate them. Some people just prefer a less abrasive sound. I'm not one of those people, and I love the mess of melodies. I hope this band continues to go absolutely crazy. There aren't enough musicians out there willing to take chances like this.… Expand
  25. OllieH
    Mar 4, 2009
    10
    Best album of the 2000's so far in any genre of music.
  26. Mattydigs
    Mar 3, 2009
    7
    This is no masterpiece only the young kids are saying that. Thats why I call it "Dance Yoshimi for the Kids". Yes I dont think this as good as yoshimi. The subtleties arent there. See Akron Familys new album "Set em' Wild, Set em' free" for the real deal. After the 1st song you'll know why. And if you wanna hear them outdo MPP then tracks 3 and 7 should more than do the job This is no masterpiece only the young kids are saying that. Thats why I call it "Dance Yoshimi for the Kids". Yes I dont think this as good as yoshimi. The subtleties arent there. See Akron Familys new album "Set em' Wild, Set em' free" for the real deal. After the 1st song you'll know why. And if you wanna hear them outdo MPP then tracks 3 and 7 should more than do the job for that. Animal Collective are just popularizing the real pysch and indie movements/trends happening in the lower echelons. They aren't pushing the envelope or adding to the movement just mimicking those that are....like akron family. Plus they couldve taken MPP to a whole new universe but they left it repetitive and formulaic. So yea.... posers. Dont listen to the naysayers , IT IS semi-traditional in its song structures. Its not really outisde the box at all. Only when compared to mainstream crap but that stuff is 2d anyway. BTW its also spotty only bout half of the record is truly great. HYPE debunked. Highlights = My Girls, Also Frightened, brothersport, Daily Routine, No more Runnin, and taste which is my favorite track. -mAtt (mattydigs).… Expand
  27. weave
    Mar 2, 2009
    6
    Already destined to be the most overrated album of the year. Not that it's terrible, but it just pales in comparison to Sung Tongs or Panda Bear's Person Pitch. It's one of those situations where people catch up to a great act past their prime and feel compelled to say they're great. I'm a relative Animal Collective neophyte myself, but I can see they're Already destined to be the most overrated album of the year. Not that it's terrible, but it just pales in comparison to Sung Tongs or Panda Bear's Person Pitch. It's one of those situations where people catch up to a great act past their prime and feel compelled to say they're great. I'm a relative Animal Collective neophyte myself, but I can see they're heading in the wrong direction.… Expand
  28. WayneS
    Mar 1, 2009
    10
    Record of the decade!
  29. CMeezy
    Feb 26, 2009
    9
    Love love love this album. Can't stop listening. I can't fathom that this won't make it on my top 5 list of 2009. If they added one more stellar track on here, it would be among my alltime favorites. As it is, this record is pretty high up there.
  30. PeteA
    Feb 21, 2009
    5
    When it comes to inventive records you feel eager to unravel the mystery. You need many listening sessions to enjoy many of those inventive masterpieces. To be inventive you need to be first, a pioneer. This record is not first of it`s kind - it`s not even the best one of same "dreamsound". It`s easy to prefer Shins and their album Wincing the night away.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Album of 2009
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2009
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Mojo
    80
    By far the most streamlined and purposeful Animal Collective record. [Jan 2008, p.98]
  2. Spin
    80
    In years past, Animal Collective have been cast as perpetual Peter Pans, forever stuck in childhood fantasias. But beneath the body-moving throbs and coruscating noises of Merriweather Post Pavilion, themes of domestic duty and devotion abound.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    100
    It feels like one of the landmark American albums of the century so far. [Jan 2008, p.86]
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »