Time Skiffs successfully marks Animal Collective's "comeback" with an excellent and well-balanced record that signifies their triumphant heyday and why they are still one of the most important bands from this century when it comes to psychedelic and indie music. It's a much more graceful and relaxed record that seamlessly ties all the loose ends that were missing from their more recent output.
Baltimore based band Animal Collective have a clutch on the indie boom of the 2000's and have been exploding throughout the internet community for decades now. One of the most widely celebrated indie groups from critics and fans this century, as well as solo and side projects, Animal Collective truly are a one-of-a-kind band. Consisting of members Panda Bear, Avey Tare, Geologist and Deakin, the group have some of the best albums in indie and psychedelic freak folk around; records like 2009's Merriweather Post Pavilion and 2007's Strawberry Jam are timelessly phenomenal and are pure classics. But ever since Merriweather, fans and critics have commented on the spottiness of their discography over the past decade at a lukewarm level. 2012's Centipede Hz is still a great record in my mind even though it left the general public scratching their heads. The group's last album, Painting With back in 2016, was definitely a head scratcher for me. I enjoyed the singles from the album but the entire album didn't leave a strong impression on me. The performances seemed to be lacking the tightness and enjoyability of their previous albums.
So for years now we've all been hoping for this "comeback" from the band, reigniting the fire of quality from that immensely strong run from the mid to late 2000's. The band's first album since 2016 has arrived and I will gladly state that the band has certainly reignited that fire. The band's first album completely together as a foursome in a decade (Deakin wasn't on Painting With in 2016), Time Skiffs is a comforting return to the strong quality of craftsmanship and performances that the band are deservedly known for. The album features the lushly immense and otherworldly detail that you would typically get from an early AC record but with strong hooks and progressions and a nice sense of accessibility, meaning that any AC fan new or old should enjoy listening to this. There are much more psychedelic and jammier instrumentals rather than a straightforward pop song that you may find on Painting With. This record is also one that vividly showcases the band's exploratory and flexible live act where the band will stretch their songs into longer ones and will fluidly flow one song into the next without a stark transition. When listening, you'll often be checking to see which track you're on since many of these songs will glide towards the next without stopping, which is really a cool factor I enjoy.
With the last few albums, it's pretty clear that there was awkwardness with how the sounds and vocals have clashed with one another in a way that became very unappealing to many longtime fans. The sound effects have been up in front of the rest of the instrumental rather than backing it, making things sound really cacophonous. They get rid of all that on Time Skiffs and instead they sound like one cohesive machine where each member is in sync with one another. The grooves are stronger, the kinsmanship is tighter, and the hooks are greater. The songs may not be as explosive on the surface but once you hear some of these choruses you'll change your mind. That all appears even on the first track, the opening "Dragon Slayer." Avey Tare's vocals on top of the euphoric instrumental appropriately starts this album off with a bang. "Car Keys" is a bouncy and sharp song with a strong vocal presence from Panda Bear and sticky sputtering electronics. Lead single "Prester John" is a stunning ode to the band's older material with having a more subdued, simplified, and relaxed approach while still giving exquisite detail and layers within the instrumental. The song's pacing is still exciting after listening to it many times and its finishing climax is amazing.
The performance of "Prester John" is a prime example of the band's togetherness and how in tune they are with each other. "Strung with Everything" is this album's best example of why this band is so great at doing so. Heck, the best example in years. Play any hardcore AC fan who is now a skeptic this song and I'd like to see them try to hate it. This seven minute long banger is a straight up jam: The pounding and thumping beat, the layered and stacked instrumental that's as dreamy as ever, and the harmonies all make this song incredible. When these spurts of loud harmonies, pianos, and percussion explode all at once, you'll know exactly what Animal Collective are about and have always been about. It's an instant AC classic that will be played at future live shows for years and years to come. "Walker" is a solid tribute to the late great musician Scott Walker. The eight minute long "Cherokee" is another one of the album's highlights with that signature jumpy groove lines and an excellent instrumental climax towards the song's end. "Passer - By" might be the only real dip in quality on the record. Despite it still being a solid tune, I think it just throws off the pacing a little bit due to its laid back quietness compared to the tracks in between. "We Go Back" is one of the faster paced and upbeat songs with some autotune and a hip-hop influenced instrumental. "Royal and Desire" closes the album in a spaced out vibe featuring some great ambient and starry electronics and a solid vocal appearance, this time being from Deakin. It's a really stunning and beautiful closer.
I would 100% agree with all the positive critics and fans on this one: Time Skiffs successfully marks Animal Collective's "comeback" with an excellent and well-balanced record that signifies their triumphant heyday and why they are still one of the most important bands from this century when it comes to psychedelic and indie music. It's a much more graceful and relaxed record that seamlessly ties all the loose ends that were missing from their more recent output. Every song you'll find stunning and impressive moments and if your remotely some form of an AC fan, you got to enjoy this one, right? All of these performances are amazing and it's all the more reason to see how these songs will be presented in a true live setting on their upcoming tour, considering that these songs are much livelier and jammier than anything they've released in a decade. Time Skiffs is Animal Collective at their best in a decade and all the more reason to look ahead toward the future. With nearly 20 years into their career as Animal Collective, what's another 20 years?
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Strung with Everything," "Prester John," "Car Keys," "Dragon Slayer," "Royal and Desire"
Comments