[With the end of the year rapidly approaching, I thought I'd take the opportunity to look back at one of my favorite pop culture moments of 2009... please to enjoy.]
I first became aware of the band Animal Collective back in 2005, but only by chance. An out-of-state friend had made a mix CD for me that contained a single track, “We Tigers,” from what was then the band’s most recent album, Sung Tongs. It’s an infectious primal romp, anchored by booming tribal drums and layered with whispering, muttering vocals that unexpectedly explode into a hilariously exuberant, trilling chorus. And, as fate would have it, my three year old daughter immediately loved the tune, latched onto it, and claimed it as her Most Specialest Anthem EVAR (note: one of my daughter’s other favorite songs at the time was “Pale Horse” by John Vanderslice, which might give you a sense of her aesthetic. You may congratulate and/or pity me now).