Animal Collective - Astoria 2, London - 1/11/07
4/5
By: Yousif Nur
With touts exchanging tickets for in excess of £50 and an ensemble of customers forming a line for a chance to hold one of the last remaining pieces of gold dust, the now renamed Astoria 2 was a veritable cove of excitement for those fortunate enough to enter its bewilderingly mirrored halls tonight. Animal Collective, in the last twelve months or so, have had an unassailable rise in cult popularity, what with their recent signing to Domino, sell-out tours aplenty and one of the 2007's albums of the year in the shape of 'Strawberry Jam'. Perhaps we shouldn't then be so surprised at the aforementioned facts.
The New York outfit tonight (and for the indefinite future) are a three piece, with a drummer deciding to take a year out rather than suffer from burnout. Hey, being in an underground band constantly touring for a decade or so, something's gotta give. Anyhow, much camaraderie and a buzz is generated with every moment passing before the band take the stage. As those who have seen the band will attest, the beginning of this word of mouth phenomenon was solely their live performances. Yet not everyone here was even to get a full view of what was to take place, as those to adjacent sides of the platform in the centre of the Astoria 2's floor made it unnecessarily difficult for many to behold the forthcoming display. It's just the nature of this sometimes annoying venue.
But, otherwise, what a display it is. No need for bass drums or even a drummer for these lot, just lots (and bloody lots) of reverb, swirling, unplaceable beats and so many pedals Kevin Shields would stand in disbelief. A wall of noise encircles the venue as the band shoegaze through each song, the crowd willing each one up to and past the ten minute mark.
Tonight gave the chance for AC to play some of the more melodic pop tunes from their new album, including 'Peacebone', granted the biggest reception of the evening. Another favourite of the night was 'Unsolved Mysteries' with it's almost funfair/circus like melody, the version here resembling it being played underwater in a murky underworld whose only inhabitants are Geologist, Panda Bear and Deakin. The many who hollered for 'Leaf House' were given what they demanded on the encore, with almost hip-hop like beats layered over the top. This band just keeps giving.
Then the noise stopped, and normality was restored like a hypnotist clicking his fingers from our entrancement. While nothing about it might be easily explainable to the untrained, unenlightened ear of one unfamiliar with the band, in the weird, trippy and wonderful world of the Animal Collective, the sense it made was perfect.
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