Animal Collective - Danse Manatee

Originally released in a small CD-only pressing on the New York-based Catsup Plate label in July 2001, Danse Manatee was Animal Collective’s second record, and was originally credited to Avey Tare, Panda Bear & Geologist (prior to the full, collective band name being used on releases). With the band’s sound augmented by the addition of Brian Weitz (Geologist), who had recently started playing live with Avey and Panda, these ever-developing live shows were the driving force behind the development of the band’s material on Danse Manatee. A live sound permeates the surface audio aesthetic here, but the more intriguing development lies within the music itself: Geologist contributes live electronics and incidental vocals; Panda is singing more; and the whole thing feels very much more organic, fleshed out and looser, whilst still retaining the playful, melodic otherworldliness that characterised Spirit. As a bold and adventurous move on from the debut, the record also set the tone for Animal Collective’s restless and exploratory continuing approach never content to rest on their laurels or to duplicate their last album, they have consistently sought to forge and explore new paths.