Question: does my inability to ‘get’ this record stem from my own narrow tastes or the fact that it ain’t actually worth a damn?
We look at the Animal Collective’s Hollinndagain to get a better read on the situation.
To me, the idea that music can or should be enjoyed simply because it’s so anti-mainstream it barely sounds like music any more is unappealing. I find myself listening to the seven tracks on offer with an expression of vague incomprehension. Should I be liking this?
Isn’t it, y’know, brave and progressive? Sod it though, I know what I like (most anything with a bit of soul and passion behind it) and unless I can enjoy this record purely and above all other reasons for the music itself (which I can’t; it lacks melody, rhythm, intensity and composition) then any pretentious reasons I can conjure up for recommending it would be empty and ultimately untrue.
However, I don’t want to sound like someone who only enjoys his own favourite genre of music. It’s true I’m not a big ambient/drone/noise fan (I’ve always preferred melody, speedand energy) but my tastes do range far and wide. If you can’t think of anything better than arrhythmic, disjointed compositions of white noise and random percussive elements then by all means give this record a go. I do know that there is a large audience for this kind of music, and of course that’s absolutely fine. Bear in mind, though, that the production on this record really isn’t up to scratch. I understand it’s a collection of live recordings, but the lack of polish is incredible. Tracks end abruptly, are overshadowed by background noise and in general it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is a coupla guys fuckin’ about with their instruments in their mum’s garage. Whatever though, you’ve heard my opinion and if you think I sound completely uneducated then go make your own judgement.
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
