User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 627 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 537 out of 627
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Mixed: 35 out of 627
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Negative: 55 out of 627
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CurtisB.Nov 24, 2009Amazing. Beautiful. Incomparable. Fresh. Fun. Ahead of our time.
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Dec 23, 2010
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KurtCMar 27, 2009Exceptionally 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.
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JeremyC.Jan 20, 2009Stunning. Simply stunning. Enough said. If you don't enjoy this album, either your ears are broken or you're dead.
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MattLJan 12, 2010
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BobbyYJan 20, 2009Great album. Solid through and through. Only thing I miss is the prominence of Avey's screams.
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TomT.Jan 25, 2009Things like "streamlined" and "accessible" dont mean its better than previous albums. if anything it means its more disposable and doesnt hold up after severals listens.
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DKFeb 10, 2009
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PatrickCFeb 16, 2009The beatles album of the new century. organic, sonic-filled, and deeply layered to make an orgasmic mix of beauty.
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KenMMar 17, 2009I'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.
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ZaneSMar 27, 2009Very weird. Very weird.
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HarryGFeb 17, 2009I hate voting 10s but when it is deserved, then it must be. Nothing else like it and more to the point not much near as good. This is one way to the future of music
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weaveMar 2, 2009
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ShazZ.Mar 17, 2009Most 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.
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Aug 12, 2010
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Jul 10, 2011An all-encompassing, perfectly layered, challenging and beautiful album.
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Sep 22, 2011One of the best records of 2009. Finally their sound comes together in this Brian Wilson inspired album.
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Mar 23, 2012One of the greatest albums of the 2000s. Great songs about simple living, love, and a dissection of cool. Some of the best songs I've ever heard. Highlights include In the Flowers, Taste, Bluish.
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timmydNov 29, 2009
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PeteAFeb 21, 2009When 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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nashDec 15, 2009The most overrated album of the year. Was bored after a few listens and the album is now gathering dust in the back of my collection. No doubt I will one day give it yet another listen much to my annoyance.
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DavidMAug 10, 2009Animal Collective's last lp is for junkies! El último cd de Animal Collectives es para chemos!!
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JohnTJul 6, 2009
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JohnFSep 13, 2009I've really tried to like this album. After all, the gushing reviews have to be indicative of excellence, haven't they? However, after umpteen listens I've failed. I still think it's the most over-rated album I've heard in years. Yesterday, I consigned it to the garbage bin.
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SteveSJul 31, 2009
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JayPAug 25, 2009Terrible... hate it.
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JasonPAug 25, 2009
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RayV.Sep 23, 2009
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May 25, 2011I have tried and tried again with this album and have come to the opinion that it just isn't very good. I bought this following the copious 10/10 or 5star reviews it received in the music press, but it's... dull. It only gets 4 because of the fantastic 'My Girls'. Download that track separately and save yourself the time I wasted.
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JimDJun 30, 2009
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abesJan 27, 2009I used to be 'with it', but then they changed what 'it' was. Now what I'm with isn't 'it', and what's 'it' seems weird and scary.
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MattKJan 31, 2009I don't get whats so special about this album... it doesn't play well it feels awkward to listen to. It's also not as good as the No Age album released last year which was also on this new wave of weird music which I just don't see anything in but garbled music.
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kevinm.Dec 17, 2009How can this even be considered a musical composition? it sounds like a bunch of douche bags with way too many synths ripping off concept work brian wilson was doing back in the 60's and 70's. I guess im just not hip enough to get it.
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MikeDApr 13, 2009I 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!!!!
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BuckApr 28, 2009For people who prefer to think about music rather than enjoy it.
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MikeM.Jan 9, 2010I don't get it. I just don't get it. I enjoy all kinds of musical and agree with Metacritic most of the time. But after one listen to this, I had to force myself to listen a second time, and have no desire to do that again. Doesn't do anything for me.
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TonyMOct 7, 2009When told its Kid A, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Agaetis Byrjun, and Funeral all rolled up into one, it grabs my attention. I bought the hype. Two years down the road, this one iis destined to fill used CD bins everywhere.
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JohnGJan 9, 2010Boring, pretentious trash. It sounds like all the tracks were designed to be in car commercials.
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nicka.Nov 9, 2009
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tombDec 20, 2009Animal Collective has an aversion to melody. It's all about placement of strange sound effects and the repetition of those effects instead of instruments. I can't handle the slicker-than-grease production. All the songs move at the same mid-tempo pace and feel slightly different from one another. Not for me.
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FarrajDApr 1, 2009This music is so bad, it could be used as an instrument for torture.
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MingV.Nov 2, 2009This kind of music makes me think the Americans have done so much drugs and other derangement in their whole life 'til a young age that they lost all senses of aesthetic and decency.
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MarkC.Jan 24, 2009This band and its albums are extremely overrated. They make mildly annoying background music.
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KenDMay 10, 2009
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TonysTJan 2, 2010Sorry Animal Collective - your record is clever, innovative, and very well produced, and I admire you for that, but its not enjoyable to listen to, isn't engaging, and doesn't connect with me at all.
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JTNov 27, 2009
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ErnestK.Dec 14, 2009
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GoodMusicLoverNov 14, 2009This is really a boring and annoying album, any other album, Mainstream or not, out there is so much better. I gave it a 3 because I still think it is better than other stuff like Radiohead or other "alternative" bands that really suck. Sorry if I offend anybody with this, it's just my opinion.
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DarkoDec 27, 2009The most overrated album of the year. Tried to listen to it several times, but just can't get it. Somebody called it "danceable"... what a joke!
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JulianEAug 11, 2009Either a experimental or a pop band not being good at either field. Nuff' said
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Sep 2, 2011This band can hit a groove and go off on an incredible tangent and bring it home BUT you have to weed through so many songs to find any coheasiveness and it can become mundane and distorted to listen to sectoraly
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RiccardinhoFeb 3, 2010Meh. Noisy, over-produced, boring. Music for critics, not for listening to.
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DylanWJan 20, 2009
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JohnSJan 23, 2009What is up with some critics today? This album is boring if you like hooks and rhythm, and don't care for uninspired Beach-Boy like singing. Seriously, it doesn't hold you attention, not unlike another very overrated group, TV On the Radio. On the plus side, AC have some fairly interesting ambient aspects which is why they earn a 4 instead of a 2 or 1.
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EricCJun 28, 2009
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JohnnieT.Nov 12, 2009There is some fantastic stuff here - when they nail the blissed out 22nd century Beach Boys style(particularly on Bluish, Guys Eyes, My Girls), then it plays like a dream. Infuriatingly however, at times its undermined by its own exuberant eclecticism and the need for sonic experimentation can occasionally get in the way of those melodies. If only we could hear them!
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Mar 23, 2011these songs are just blanketed by repetitious sounds. each song blurring into the next. very annoying and unlistenable. (mind you i still enjoy their previous LP's :Sung Tongs and Feels). This is utter garbage. It sounds as if they mixed instruments into a blender, and this is what came out.
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Mar 8, 2012Am I the only one who thinks their songs' melodies sound all same? Aside from the trying-really-hard diverse and supposedly creative production, I find their music incredibly boring.
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NicoleVJan 20, 2009Absolutely wonderful! Best record of the 2000's I think for sure!
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AndrewLJan 20, 2009Best album I've heard in a long time.
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OllieHMar 4, 2009Best album of the 2000's so far in any genre of music.
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BaxterJan 7, 2010I went in expecting something terrible, as my previous experience with the band was not something I enjoyed. But what I found was one of the best albums of the year. Nice and enjoyable music that reminds me why pop is still a genre worth considering. Not the masterpiece that oh so many Pitchfork readers are calling it, but still an extremely solid and fun album.
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nwJan 21, 2009Album to beat this year.
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TrevorL.Jan 24, 2009Merriweather consolidates nearly all of AC's developed strengths and sheds nearly all of their past weaknesses, yielding a virtually perfect work that most of us will look back upon in our old age as one of the best damn albums we ever had the pleasure of meeting. A landmark.
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ChrisKJan 20, 2009Everything they have done culminates with this album. A Classic, one of the best this decade.
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DrewH.Jan 25, 2009Amazing, best album I have heard in ages, a completely new and orignal sound. I love it!
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JeffFeb 1, 2009Some songs hit you immediately, some take a bit of savoring to warm up to, but ultimately each song on Merriweather is overflowing with music talent. Past Animal Collective was very eccentric but still good, this album really solidifies their place amongst important bands with a much wider and now grateful audience.
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AndrewCFeb 21, 2009
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BolisGFeb 9, 2009Some great hooks got me started (Summertime Clothes, In the Flowers, Bluish), then each listen built on that foundation and before I knew i'm in love! This album is absolutely effen awesome!
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GBMar 20, 2009I 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.
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GideonAAug 1, 2009
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ChrisMAug 30, 2009It's otherworldly, the music and how good this album is.
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TroelsS.Jan 18, 2010
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robertfJan 2, 2010One of "Those Albums" of the decade, Animal Collective really figured things out on this record. Feels may still be my personal favorite but this album is more full of hooks, emotion as well as an appreciation for love and music than may be more enthusiastic and hopeful than any "classic" album in a long long time. avey's songwriting keeps getting better (i.e. summertime clothes).
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FredR.Nov 11, 2009An interesting album which is grossly overrated. MPP is one of the better 21st century progrock albums. Now do a comparison test: If Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon was a 10 how would you rate this album? I would give this a 6 at best.
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JoeNov 4, 2009This album could have been a complete disaster. It strives on its Beach Boyish vocals and music that doesn't drive you crazy like their Feels album. Not the best album of the year, but one of the biggest surprises.
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JonJan 21, 2009Yes, it really is that good!!
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JayJan 20, 2009When In The Flowers explodes at the 2:30 mark, you know that you're in for an amazing experience. From the dreamy soundscape of Daily Routine to the pounding rhythms of Brother Sport, there's not a moment of weakness to be found in this 55 minutes. A very, very good album. Definitely worthy of all the hype.
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JeremiahMJan 20, 2009Hands down, one of the most enjoyable albums of the last several years. Animal Collective have found a rare groove, one which feels totally accessible and relaxed without losing any brilliance.
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DaveAJan 20, 2009Haha theres 37 user votes and this hasn't even been up on metacritic for a day! Its hard not to go ape shit over an album this amazing.
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TonyNJan 20, 2009
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AlexMJan 20, 2009
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bradfordc.Jan 24, 2009I get a hold of myself every night listening to this album. I love this band and special feelings they engender in me.
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QuillberJan 26, 2009Some of its great, some of it panda needs a slap for getting too self indulgent. avey is still making top tracks, but pandas good ones are great. gimme Feels anyday though, its still the most accomplished thing theyve done. i think they are sounding too 90's blind melon or something these days, a bit Shins.. weird cheap sounding production.
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TobyH.Jan 27, 2009Brilliant all the way through! My Girls may be the best song of the millennium!
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MattWJan 31, 2009
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EliJ.Oct 4, 2009
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SebastianSMar 23, 2009
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NeilLMar 25, 2009
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normfApr 21, 2009This 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
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ThomasWMay 8, 2009It took me a couple of listens to actually "take in" this album. It's... so... good. The beats and melodies are tremendous, and I love it oh so much.
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GeoffreyGMay 9, 2009The way so many different, disparate sounds mesh to create beautiful, melodic songs blows my mind. The Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies are gorgeous, the songs build wonderfully, I just love this album. And it just keeps getting better and better.
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mattmJun 1, 2009Okay for people to say that this is an intellectual album, instead of an album to enjoy the hell out of, you are just stupid and don't even seem understand music. This album is one of the few albums where I just want to get up and dance with friends. Come on 'summertime clothes'? How can you think thats a song to 'think about'?
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BlooJun 24, 2009Everything importand is in the reviews, so I can only say I love this CD.
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DavidHAug 2, 2009
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DougHAug 2, 2009Great music. But when did it become the thing to invoke the Beach Boys every time a group sings harmony? This is a great album, but it doesn't sound even remotely like Pet Sounds or Smile so the comparison is just stupid. I agree with the previous reviewer that it sounds more like the Beatles "Tomorrow Never Knows"
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DerekPAug 27, 2009
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stomaSep 21, 2009Vital--contains ancient, in-between-the-lines truths--like electronica played with dirt clods in stead of keyboards--thgis is genetically important music--some will need to morph new synapses to accept the revelations but it is growth worth the strain.
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VictorO.Jan 14, 2010Unlike their transcendent, delightfully inaccessible treat Feels from 2005, this is either a commercial sell-out or an unabashed homage. The influences abound: A lot of The Beach Boys and The Mamas and the Papas, a smattering of the Flaming Lips and XTC, and a hint of Lindsey Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac. Where's my independently freakish genius band?
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ZoranJan 21, 2009it's nice to see that somebody could record this after eight albums.
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Awards & Rankings
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MojoBy far the most streamlined and purposeful Animal Collective record. [Jan 2008, p.98]
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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.
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It feels like one of the landmark American albums of the century so far. [Jan 2008, p.86]