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. JimJ.
    Oct 4, 2007
    10
    Great.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. MeganP.
    Oct 2, 2007
    10
    One word: Yes.
  8. 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
  9. MattS
    Dec 21, 2007
    10
    Best disc of the year hands down.
  10. DickD.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    Album of the year
  11. 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.
  12. GilbertG
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Fireworks and Peacebone are classic!
  13. 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!
  14. bobm.
    Sep 10, 2007
    10
    I wonder why some of these particular people, the ones with lower ratings, are grading this album based on the other albums from this group. Is it to challenging to critique just Strawberry Jam, probably.
  15. philipb.
    Sep 12, 2007
    10
    no comment, except for strawberry jam rules!
  16. BillyM.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    Another ambitious step, a truly great and obsessive album
  17. BenH.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    This is the most complete and listenable ablum so far this year. Great stuff.
  18. PeepP.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    Animal Collective have made a terrific album with 'Strawberry Jam'. It definitely has hooks, but isn't for your average listener who would rather hear mundane sounds and predictability. In other words, this is a great record if you are open to original ways of exploring old ideas.
  19. [Anonymous]
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    some of my favorites are Peacebone, Unsolved Mysteries, Chores, For Reverend Green, Fireworks, #1, Winter Wonder Land, Cuckoo Cuckoo, Derek all pretty good
  20. ChrisA
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    I dig it baby.
  21. Mark
    Sep 17, 2007
    10
    Could Rolling Stone be just a touch more irrelevant? Jesus Christ...
  22. ZBiscuit
    Sep 17, 2007
    10
    I am completely baffled by the mixed critical response to this album. Strawberry Jam has had me hooked since it leaked and has become a permanent classic in my collection; one of the very few recent albums that I'm sure I'll still be listening to 5 years from now.
  23. DeboA
    Sep 20, 2007
    10
    Absolutely one of the year's BEST! I must admit that I had a difficulty digesting anything Animal Collective or Panda Bear did in the past but i followed my instincts and 'previewed' the 'Jam' by downloading the entire thing! I was pleasantly surprised. This seems to be their most accessible and at the same time their BEST. Without compromising their Absolutely one of the year's BEST! I must admit that I had a difficulty digesting anything Animal Collective or Panda Bear did in the past but i followed my instincts and 'previewed' the 'Jam' by downloading the entire thing! I was pleasantly surprised. This seems to be their most accessible and at the same time their BEST. Without compromising their Experimentalism they have created an Electronica Feast!… Expand
  24. JohnH.
    Sep 23, 2007
    10
    After several great releases from Animal Collective, this record comes completely out of left field, and completely blows away all their other work. Its awe inspiring tunes in the form of the crazy time signature "For Reverend Green" and beautiful "Fireworks," stand out among a group of still amazing tracks. I had fear this would be their first misstep but it has turned out to be their After several great releases from Animal Collective, this record comes completely out of left field, and completely blows away all their other work. Its awe inspiring tunes in the form of the crazy time signature "For Reverend Green" and beautiful "Fireworks," stand out among a group of still amazing tracks. I had fear this would be their first misstep but it has turned out to be their best all around record with only strong to magnificent tracks being featured. The first perfect album of the year.… Expand
  25. EricC.
    Sep 25, 2007
    10
    You put in the cd and a jumble of incomprehensible sounds blasts out of your speakers. It quickly and flawlessly turns in to a beautifully constructed song, Peacebone, which has Avey Tare cheerfully singing some of their oddest lyrics to date, with an occasional group shout that sounds more like the chilling shriek of a monster. Every song that follows has its own surprise. At times Avey You put in the cd and a jumble of incomprehensible sounds blasts out of your speakers. It quickly and flawlessly turns in to a beautifully constructed song, Peacebone, which has Avey Tare cheerfully singing some of their oddest lyrics to date, with an occasional group shout that sounds more like the chilling shriek of a monster. Every song that follows has its own surprise. At times Avey roars like a death metal singer, while the instruments calmly jam. I mention Avey twice because his voice dominates this album. I'm a huge Panda Bear fan, and every song he leads is classic, but it's Avey's songs that will stick with you, that you'll try to sing along with. I'm crazy in to this cd. Once my excitement dies down, it will be interesting to see if it will be my favorite Animal Collective album (Feels got 5 points higher than this one, but I sense more talent and skill coming from this release). This is their most chaotic and loud album, and also their most fun.… Expand
  26. DavidL.
    Oct 26, 2007
    10
    The listening experience of 2007. Animal Collective outdoes themselves (yet again). It baffles the mind that this decade's most relevant musicians are still virtually unknown to the average music appreciator. All 9 songs on the album are incredible.
  27. ek.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Surely their Poppiest Moment. But its also the weirdest pop around. This how POP should sound !!!
  28. OliverC.
    Sep 11, 2007
    10
    Painfully amazing.
  29. MJ88
    Sep 13, 2007
    10
    Nearly perfect. it might just be the album of the year.
  30. GeorgeH.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    I really recommend this album, is an experience.
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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 »