Animal Collective - PAINTING WITH

Audio Mixers: Sonny DiPerri; Animal Collective. Recording information: East West Studios, Los Angeles, USA. Wielding the lineup of Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), and Geologist (Brian Weitz) -- the same as on their most popular LP to date, 2009's Merriweather Post Pavilion -- beloved indie experimenters Animal Collective show no signs of dulling with age on their tenth long-player, Painting With. The album does, however, mark a change in approach. Bursting with creatively wacky pop tunes using a vibrant, at times '50s sci-fi-evoking electronics palette, Animal Collective could have more accurately called this their Devo album instead of "our Ramones record" as Geologist did in a pre-release Rolling Stone interview. The point is taken, though: forms are tightened, artificial reverb shed, experimental excursions not eliminated but greatly limited, and a premium is placed on lively beats and pleasing harmonies. Fans shouldn't worry that they've produced a collection o