Entertainment

  • RED Hearts: Entertainment: Animal Collective

    By Alison Smith, 18, reporting from Brooklyn, NY, on her love for Animal Collective's new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion
    Animal Collective

    It may be hard to believe that 2009's best album has arrived when it's only January. But it has. Well, maybe that's an overstatement. If it is though, at least I'm not the only one making it. Pitchfork gave Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion a 9.6--the highest rating they've given in five years.

    Oh god, I feel as though I could write a 20-page essay on this album, the band's ninth. This one finds them as a three-piece (including band members Avey Tare, Geologist, and Panda Bear), continuing to make ambient music that stretches the boundaries of conventional sound. They use thick electronic beats and original samples of sounds like splashing water for a strong-yet-tender series of 11 songs. Although Animal Collective is as experimental as ever, Merriweather Post Pavilion shows their progression toward accessibility for previous non-fans. Here, they draw upon more common song structures and melodies than the seemingly random chaos of their earlier creations.

    Lyrically, the album reveals a very romantic and mature side of the band, like in the first single and one of my favorite songs, “My Girls,” where Panda sings of only wanting to protect and provide for his wife and daughter; and in "Bluish" where Avey croons (well, coming from a guy who has spent a good deal of his musical career screeching, "croons" might be a stretch) about being driven "so crazy"--in a good way--by the beautiful little things he sees in his spouse.

    The fact that Merriweather Post Pavilion right away found a place in iTunes' top 10 albums shows that Animal Collective may not be the weird kids in the room anymore. I'm all for them being widely accepted as the innovators they truly are. Catch them when they tour this spring. Their flashing lights, palpable bass, and spastic wailing are absolutely not to be missed. — Alison Smith

    Find Animal Collective on MySpace, and watch the video for "My Girls" on I Heart Daily.

    Posted Jan 31 2009, 07:49 AM by admin with no comments
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  • RED Hearts: Entertainment: Katy Perry

    By Jessica Goodman, 19, reporting from Northridge, CA, on the entirely not coincidental secret message of Katy Perry
    Katy Perry

    When I saw Katy Perrry at the Vans Warped Tour last summer, I instantly became a fan. Katy Perry's music is realistic and just straight to the point; it might not be romantic or lovey-dovey, but it's honest. She says what's on her mind, and that's what many girls my age are able to connect with.

    Her hit song, "Hot N Cold," is about a guy who can't make up his mind about Katy. He's sending mixed messages, or, as she sings: Cause you're hot then you're cold/ you're yes then you're no.

    See, her experience has become mine with this guy at school. I know how he feels--it's usually obvious when he's around me--but when he gets unsure or disgruntled, he picks a fight. The fact that he continues to come back to me makes me think he might be worth it in the end. Or not.

    Lately, whenever I turn the radio on or walk into a store, the song is playing. And I know it's more than just a coincidence, especially when I change to three different radio stations within a one-minute span—and it's playing on all of them. It's like Katy Perry is trying to get an idea into my head.

    Who knows if anything will ever come of my guy, but I guess that's the choice he has to make, because like Katy Perry says in her song, I know what I want. — Jessica Goodman

    Posted Jan 24 2009, 08:00 AM by admin with 1 comment(s)
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