Strawberry Jam
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Sep 11, 2007
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 204 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 186 out of 204
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 204
  3. Negative: 7 out of 204

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  1. jeffb.
    Sep 11, 2007
    5
    disappointing
  2. SidD
    Sep 19, 2007
    6
    I don't know how the praise for Animal Collective has been so universal in the past. It's clear that their music is not for everyone. I find myself thinking some of their tracks are brilliant on one day, but totally wrong on another.
  3. J.K.
    Dec 14, 2007
    6
    Strawberry Jam serves as a solid introduction to the group, as it scales back on the more experimental aspects of their previous works and instead delivers some of the strongest pop and rock arrangements of their career. This is also the biggest problem with the album. It feels restrained and pigeonholed and like the sound of someone cramming a square peg into a circular hole. Strawberry Jam serves as a solid introduction to the group, as it scales back on the more experimental aspects of their previous works and instead delivers some of the strongest pop and rock arrangements of their career. This is also the biggest problem with the album. It feels restrained and pigeonholed and like the sound of someone cramming a square peg into a circular hole. There's always been a little pop in Animal Collective but it's forced here and doesn't really find an acceptable middle ground.… Expand
  4. JamesG.
    Dec 9, 2007
    6
    I don't necessarily think this is a bad album but I do not hear any melody or purpose. It sounds like a jumbled mess or horses trampling my head. This album definitely makes me clean my house at a rapid pace. I will continue to give it a chance because I want to like it
  5. MarcG.
    Sep 22, 2007
    6
    First misstep for the collective.

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2007
42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2007
27
#27 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Animal Collective has evolved; its songs continue to meander and digress, but the mania seems driven by a greater sense of purpose.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    60
    The nine songs her give a reason for detractors to raise their voices and for devotees to hope for something a little more evolved. [Sep. 2007, p.49]
  3. Urb
    70
    AC still celebrates soaking up esoterica, but this album is the group's jauntiest, least emulsified. [Sep 2007, p.128]
See all critic reviews »