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. quillber
    Sep 1, 2012
    10
    people like Herbert below who wheel out the word 'hipster' everytime they cant digest something or dont like it need to be publicly lynched and also preferably beheaded. strawberry jam is another cranium busting game changer of a record from AC. a classic record between two other classic records of theres.
  2. HerbertP.
    Dec 11, 2007
    3
    This is passing for music these days? Hipsters will eat up anything if an obscure band shits it out.
  3. jeffb.
    Sep 11, 2007
    5
    disappointing
  4. JimJ.
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    Great.
  5. AlexJ.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    What an album, ok I only just got it. but from the opener peacebone to the brilliant and trippy derek it doesnt dissapoint. So varied and so challenging. Lyrically AC are on top of thier game, and while, perhaps this album isnt quite as cohesive of an experience as 'Feels' it raises itself in terms of the strenght of individual tracks. Baring the slightly pointless #1 every What an album, ok I only just got it. but from the opener peacebone to the brilliant and trippy derek it doesnt dissapoint. So varied and so challenging. Lyrically AC are on top of thier game, and while, perhaps this album isnt quite as cohesive of an experience as 'Feels' it raises itself in terms of the strenght of individual tracks. Baring the slightly pointless #1 every track is great, (and while i might miss it) there is no 10 minuete epic slow build up track. It a more accesible experience but no less weird or unusual than thier previous effots and this is where the AC are so accomplished. Far from technitions ,there more tribal than that, they have been able to craft an album of tunes that challenge and yet draw you in to thier wacky world.… Expand
  6. BrandonP.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    Easily one of the year's best. Mature freak-put rock that has a tighter composition than any of the experimental stuff in AC's past. if you appreciate the abstract, listen to this year's hallmark release. There is also plenty of pop hooks on top of all of the oddities of this release.
  7. justina
    Sep 17, 2007
    7
    Good, but does not compare to the classic "Feels" or even Panda Bear's "Person Pitch". Good track: Peacebone, Fireworks
  8. AlexW.
    Sep 19, 2007
    10
    Stunning, a real triumph. I can't think what the critics have against it really. From the moment it kicks of with peacevbone , a song which soars literally from tribal bounce before sweeping electronically into the chorus. I love that lift off into 'an obsession with the past...' it sends chills down my spine. Both Unsolved Mysteries and Chores are brilliant and then it Stunning, a real triumph. I can't think what the critics have against it really. From the moment it kicks of with peacevbone , a song which soars literally from tribal bounce before sweeping electronically into the chorus. I love that lift off into 'an obsession with the past...' it sends chills down my spine. Both Unsolved Mysteries and Chores are brilliant and then it hits reverand green, possibly their greatest song yet. Again built around thump and go tribal structures. The album may dip at the odd #1 but don't listen to the critics stick with the album though the awesome cuckoo clock and the stunning winter wonderland with its off cue jerks and you'll make it to the brilliant Panda Bear sung Derek, a touching beach boys throwback that Wilson himself would be very proud of. Anyway its not my words you should follow really... its you INSIGHT!!!… Expand
  9. G69
    Sep 20, 2007
    9
    Animal Collective have truly surpassed themselves with this one. Bands this stunning only come along ever now and again and when they do it's just best to marvel at their brilliance and enjoy it. There are too many great moments on this album to mention any stand out tracks, but as the "All Music Guide" review states: -David Bowie, Philip Glass and Brian Eno can only dream about Animal Collective have truly surpassed themselves with this one. Bands this stunning only come along ever now and again and when they do it's just best to marvel at their brilliance and enjoy it. There are too many great moments on this album to mention any stand out tracks, but as the "All Music Guide" review states: -David Bowie, Philip Glass and Brian Eno can only dream about having been creative enough to come up with 'Fireworks'- and that's no exaggeration. They are that good. Just accept it.… Expand
  10. TimT.
    Nov 2, 2007
    10
    Wow... This is my favorite group album of 2007... This deserves a much higher Metascore... All of those reviewers who gave this disk a 6 should be taken off the job because their obviously afraid of experiencing new, earth shattering music... "Fireworks," "Winter Wonderland," and "Derek" are probably the best songs I've heard all year from any band by far.
  11. AndyW.
    Oct 28, 2007
    8
    Aside from the creepy "#1" and the annoying "Cuckoo Cuckoo", this is the most consistent Animal Collective record to date.
  12. AdamD.
    Dec 9, 2007
    10
    Once in a great while comes an album worthy of a perfect rating. To be perfect a record must be beautiful, fresh, and inspiring and thus a perfect rating should rarely be given out. Strawberry Jam not only deserves a perfect rating, it also deserves to be heralded the greatest of the decade thus far. Joining the ranks of the Beach Boys,The Beatles, Radiohead, The Pixies, and just a few Once in a great while comes an album worthy of a perfect rating. To be perfect a record must be beautiful, fresh, and inspiring and thus a perfect rating should rarely be given out. Strawberry Jam not only deserves a perfect rating, it also deserves to be heralded the greatest of the decade thus far. Joining the ranks of the Beach Boys,The Beatles, Radiohead, The Pixies, and just a few others, Animal Collective have proven that they are capable of producing music we all can love and I hope to God they continue because we are in DIRE need of a great and reliable band!… Expand
  13. MeganP.
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    One word: Yes.
  14. ToddW.
    Oct 5, 2007
    8
    The most important band this side of Radiohead has crafted a Rorschach Test Blot of an album. 'Strawberry Jam' has something to please the palette of anyone remotely interested in these guys. Me, I wish there would have been slightly more Panda Bear and a little less Avey Tare. Other than that, no complaints.
  15. brillc.
    Sep 11, 2007
    7
    Vocals too high and clear.... dampens the magic.... Good songs, but annoying.
  16. RyanP.
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    A fantastic album, I'd really consider it one of the years best. It's a perfect combination of Animal Collective's pop side and their experimental side. Fireworks is to die for.
  17. chadc.
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    almost as good as feels
  18. JaddyP
    Sep 13, 2007
    7
    Anybody that has followed Animal collective previous albums will have noted the gradual streamlining of the music! To a greater extent it has been successful. However with the latest effort the expressive rhythmic crashes, bang and yelps that punctuated their music have been doused in the name of fluidity! This is not a bad album by any means as the musicianship and sense of sound that Anybody that has followed Animal collective previous albums will have noted the gradual streamlining of the music! To a greater extent it has been successful. However with the latest effort the expressive rhythmic crashes, bang and yelps that punctuated their music have been doused in the name of fluidity! This is not a bad album by any means as the musicianship and sense of sound that the band has it still very much prevalent. It just lacks that exuberance that has been their trade mark!… Expand
  19. christianP.
    Sep 16, 2007
    9
    ac's best yet. so FOCUSED! beautiful.
  20. 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.
  21. GuyH
    Sep 19, 2007
    10
    Brilliant from start to finish. BEWARE This album could make a lot of the other stuff you listen to this year sound pretty uninspiring in comparison. ESSENTIAL
  22. AlejandroR.
    Nov 10, 2007
    9
    Best record of the year. Second: Panda Bear - Person Pitch.
  23. 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
  24. MattS
    Dec 21, 2007
    10
    Best disc of the year hands down.
  25. DickD.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    Album of the year
  26. 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
  27. Alex
    Oct 29, 2007
    8
    Fireworks is one of the best songs I've ever heard.
  28. ZachB.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Every song on this album had to grow on me other than Peacebone. But, after listening to it about three times, it became my first or second favorite Animal Collective album, and one of my favorite albums ever. There really is not a bad song on it. The two songs that took the longest to grow on me were #1 and Unsolved Mysteries.
  29. GilbertG
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Fireworks and Peacebone are classic!
  30. Bryan00111000110
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    I've been a fan for a few years now, and this is their apex so far...just all the great melodies and the odd structures make it so enjoyable...unsolved mysteries has great drums, and cuckoo cuckoo is so damn powerful....10! 10! 10!
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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 »