Collective's Jam jams

We use the word "popular" to describe something or someone regarded with approval by the general masses of people. A musician is considered to be popular when liked by many. But one might say that attaining a certain level of popularity is like artistic poison; it causes the artist to become more focused on "rolling in the dough," if you will, than making a sincere, well-thought-out album.

Animal Collective has never been the most popular band, and probably never will be. That's one of the reasons they are so appealing to me. They aren't some showy, wannabe-pop group like numerous other artists out there. Animal Collective is simply Animal Collective.

I will be the first to admit that their sound is certainly not for everyone. With members having the stage names Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin and Geologist, one probably wouldn't expect Animal Collective to be your typical pop group. But their experimental style has created a cult-like fan base enamored with their not-like-everyone-else-ness.

Animal Collective's first album release was in 2000 with Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished; the group has since released seven more albums, their latest being Strawberry Jam this year.

Though all albums are well received, Feels is, more or less, consensually one of their highest rated albums, while Hollinndagain seems to be one of their least favored.

I would have to say that Feels, Sung Tongs and Strawberry Jam are their greatest albums (and their three most recent ones). But by far, their best album to date is Strawberry Jam.

Any fans of Animal Collective have probably also listened to Panda Bear's solo albums. His newest album, Person Pitch, is very '50s-pop-rock with a raw, native feel, and Strawberry Jam seems to take after it: more Panda Bear influence, more awesomeness. Although in Strawberry Jam Animal Collective does stray a bit from their usual noise rock, they still manage to maintain that signature sound that many of us know and love.

In every Animal Collective album, the elements of voice and randomization are highly important. Although many of the sounds seem to be randomly placed, after familiarizing yourself with Animal Collective, you'll soon realize that all sounds can be characterized as "organized clutter" and are strategically placed to give the song something that few other groups are still able to give: originality.

"Peacebone" and "Fireworks" are two of the most original songs released this year, with "Fireworks" taking the cake for best song of 2007 by a long shot. There is not a single unneeded instrument, lyric or note in the song. You might even say that "Fireworks" is a big hit. And being an Animal Collective fan, I expected nothing less from them. They have once again proven that they are able to deliver something original and new that, like actual strawberry jam, is great no matter where you are or what you're doing! Mmm... Strawberry Jam.

Animal Collective deserves praise for doing what they love to do and for being great at what they do. Like I said before, few bands still make the music that they truly enjoy making when it means sacrificing a large number of fans, fame and cash.

Not every artist has that kind of backbone like Animal Collective, and I don't see them conforming anytime soon. It's quite refreshing listening to the album of a group that still has some character. Well done, gentlemen-and, in Panda Bear's case, gentle animals. Well done.