Noah Lennox AKA Panda Bear while not at his day job by hitting drums/bins/samplers and moaning and screaming into a well placed microphone contributing to a psychedelic fusion of electronic pop music and tribal prayers (ANIMAL COLLECTIVE), spends his time looping surf-rock samples and singing over them, whilst heavily relying on reverb to make his sound that much more "spacious". His singing is chant-like and soothing, the music relaxing and suitably tagged as "chill".
Whilst having three albums under his belt and a forth to be released in September under the name TOMBOY, all of his albums have a distinctive style and sound to them, being far different from the last. His first being self-titled Panda Bear was released in 1998 and the first Animal Collective-related release was a D.I.Y, minimalist, low-fi piece of work that didn't really gel together as an album should. Comparing the record to a "collection of songs" that were ready to be released over a few years, more so than a conceptual album, it shows through its rough and ready sound. Whilst being the poorest of his output this album definitely gives the listener an insight to the potential that was there through the ever-present vocal harmonies that drift in and out of time with each other, the tweaked electronic beats that are revisited on Merriweather Post Pavillion and the use of droning acoustic guitars in conjunction with subtle effects and loops found on Sung Tongs by Animal Collective.
His second album Young Prayer was adored by both critics and fans when it was released in 2004. In fact, it won the "not very to respect because its not cool to-PITCHFORK Award" for "Best New Music". This album still had the rough qualities to it that gives it the more intimate sound, as well as feeling more personal too. Lennox claims that the album was made as a present for his father when he was sick, and died throughout the writing of many of the songs. You can hear the emotion pour through the saddening vocal harmonies and thematic "moaning".
His third (and best) album Person Pitch is a seven track masterpiece that is heavily reliant on samples and reverb, as previously mentioned. The album had a very surf-rock vibe that is perfectly executed and rightfully won Best Album of the Year on various websites and in a number of magazines too. Samples used on the album range from The Tornados, Cat Stevens, Jane, Lee "Scratch" Perry and more. Tracks such as "I'm Not" capture a really nostalgic vibe that is completed by the swirling feeling that the "surf" sound provides. The album is more of a trip and deserves its title at one of the best albums in the genre of psychedelic pop. You can find the album here.
With TOMBOY coming out in a few months, we'll round this off with Panda Bear's five finest recorded moments with himself and his primary focus, Animal Collective.
5. Who Could Win a Rabbit - Animal Collective
4. Bro's - Panda Bear
3. Slow Motion - Panda Bear (NEW!)
2. Winters Love - Animal Collective (LIVE...OLD?)
1. Song For Ariel/Guys Eyes - Panda Bear
Where as I have only really hghlighted a few aspects of this man's career, the best place to start is with Person Pitch, Merriwether Post Pavillion and Sung Tongs. His live show is amazing, stripped down to just the use of a sampler, a guitar a maybe a drum or synth, with a projection playing visuals in the background that match the trippy, psychedelic music that is being played.
Have fun!
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