Animal Collective in Covington

When: December 5, 2013
Where: Madison Theatre in Covington, KY

The Show:

I first saw Animal Collective live in 2008 when they performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. It was around the time that Strawberry Jam was released. Following the performance, I tried, but failed to really get into their sound. It was wasn't until 2009's Merriweather Post Pavilion that I really started to appreciate the band (both current and previous work).

It would not be until late 2013 that I would get the chance to see them again, following yet another new album, Centipede Hz (2012). They had performed at Bonnaroo earlier that year, but it was one of those late late night shows and I was out like a light way before then.

Their Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky show had been postponed several times already by the time that they were able to make it out. It was initially scheduled for March, but was pushed back due to Avey Tare being sick. It was rescheduled to July, but was again pushed back, due to yet another illness. They were finally able to make it out in December and I'm sure all of the fans there were beyond ready to see them in action.

True to Animal Collective form, the setup of the venue was pretty trippy. Giant teeth adorned the ceiling (similar to the teeth on the cover of their most recent album) and everything seemed to be bathed in a black-light glow.

The opening act was bEEdEEgEE, aka Brian DeGraw (of Gang Gang Dance). His set foretold the weirdness that was to come; he performed his solo experimental electronic music beneath a bug tent. He put on a good show though, performing songs from his debut solo album, SUM/ONE.

Next was the main act. They quickly proved that the teeth were for more than just decoration. In addition to images and colors being projected onto the screen behind the band, additional images were projected onto the teeth, making them even freakier.

The band performed songs from throughout their catalog, but focused on their most recent release. They made the wait and numerous postponements well worth it; they put on an amazing show.

Mini Setlist:

"Today's Supernatural" (from Centipede Hz)
"My Girls" (from Merriweather Post Pavilion)
"The Purple Bottle" (from Feels)

New Music Tuesday - 12/03/2013

New Full-Length Releases

bEEdEEgEE - SUM/ONE Brian DeGraw is a founding member of the experimental electronic group Gang Gang Dance. He is releasing his first solo album under the phonetic spelling of his initials (get it? B.D.G.). The sound takes on a more straightforward electronic sound than the work he does with his band. Watch: "Flowers" (featuring Lovefoxx) Listen: "Bricks"

Magic Trick - River of Souls Magic Trick is the side project of garage rock band The Fresh & Onlys' Tim Cohen. This is the third album from this project, which injects some psychedelia into the garage sound. Listen: "Come Inside" Listen: "The Store"

Other New Releases

Beck - "Gimme" Beck continues his run of 2013 single releases with "Gimme," the last of the year. He's set to release a new studio album, Morning Phase, in February! Listen: "Gimme"

Charli XCX - "SuperLove" Charli may have just released her debut, True Romance, in April of this year, but she's already at work on a follow-up (excited to get more adult ideas out there). "SuperLove" will likely be a single from that album. Watch: "SuperLove" Watch: "SuperLove" (Yeasayer Remix)

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories Box Set Daft Punk released their highly-regarded fourth album in May. The box set version of the album is now out (for a mere $275) and features artwork, extended tracks and film. Watch: "Instant Crush" (featuring Julian Casablancas) Listen: "Get Lucky" (Daft Punk Remix)

The Flaming Lips - Peace Sword EP The entirety of the Peace Sword EP was written for the film Ender's Game, which was released in early November. The producer's only took the EP's title track, but featured it in the credits of the film. Listen: "Peace Sword (Open Your Heart)" Listen: "Think Like a Machine, Not a Boy"

Franz Ferdinand - Right Action Remixes Franz Ferdinand released their highly-anticipated (by me, at least) fourth album just in time for my birthday in August. The title track is getting the remix treatment with contributions from Liv Spencer, Matias Aguayo, Zero Set and Golden Teacher. Watch: "Right Action" Listen: "Right Action" (Liv Spencer Remix)

Glen Hansard - Drive All Night EP Glen Hansard become known for the Swell Season and the film Once. He released his debut solo album, Rhythm & Repose, last year and is following it up with a short set of songs. Listen: "Drive All Night" Listen: "Pennies in the Fountain"

Inside Llewyn Davis: Original Soundtrack Recording The latest film from The Coen Brothers tells the story of a down-on-his-luck folk musician in the 1960s. The soundtrack follows suit to the style of the time. It features tracks from the film's star, Oscar Isaac, as well as Justin Timberlake and Marcus Mumford. Listen: Oscar Isaac & Marcus Mumford - "Fare Thee Well" Listen: Justin Timberlake & Carey Mullian - "Five Hundred Miles"

Josh Tillman - The History of Caves Josh Tillman (aka Father John Misty) has a wife, Emma, who is a film-maker. She recently released a film, trailer and information here, and enlisted her man to do the film's score and soundtrack. Listen: "Finish Those Cigarettes & Go to Bed" Listen: "Of Course I Live with Them"

Kate Nash - Have Faith with Kate Nash This Christmas EP British singer Kate Nash invites us to spend Christmas with her. Her EP features new songs along with holiday classics. Watch: "I Hate You This Christmas" Listen: "Auld Lang Syne"

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Live from KCRW Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds released an incredible album earlier this year. In promoting the album, they recorded a session with KCRW in April. It features a few song from that album, as well as earlier work. Listen: "Higgs Boson Blues" (live) Listen: "Wide Lovely Eyes" (live)

ONXRT: Live from the Archives, Vol. 15 Chicago-based radio station WXRT has been releasing highlights from in-studio sessions for 20 years. The latest collection features Jim James, The National and Passion Pit, among others. Listen: The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights" Listen: The National - "Don't Swallow the Cap"

She & Him - The Capitol Studios Session Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward released their third album as She & Him, earlier this year. They visited Capitol Studios to record new versions of four tracks off of that album. Listen: "I Could Have Been Your Girl" Listen: "Shadow of Love"

The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat Reissue The Velvet Underground  released this iconic album more than 45 years ago. This reissue is coming along with mono, instrumental and live versions of many of the album's tracks. Listen: "Sister Ray" Listen: "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore" (Live in New York City/1967)

The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat Tribute Album To go along with the above reissue is a covers album. Featured artists here include Natural Child, Gap Dream and many others! Listen: Gap Dream - "Sister Ray" Listen: Natural Child - "White Light/White Heat"

For my list of upcoming releases, click here!