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Animal Collective “Wide Eyed” (2 of 5)
“Wide Eyed,” an early standout from Centipede Hz, has all the usual elements of a great Animal Collective song – fuzzed out synthesizers, a hypnotic, pounding drum beat, and a wacky array of random aquatic and computer noises squeezing themselves in. But there’s one glaring difference: the lead vocals. Taking charge on this song isn’t a cracked-out, shouty version of Brian Wilson but instead a lower-register, dallying warble that brings to mind a more robotic James Murphy. If Panda Bear and Avey Tare are the Paul and John of Animal Collective, Deakin and Geologist are George and Ringo – still recognized, but nowhere near the main attraction. On “Wide Eyed,” though, it’s Deakin’s time to shine, as he nails his first-ever lead vocal performance on a song he wrote (it’s his “Think For Yourself” moment). The change, as I mentioned, is obvious. Deakin’s vocals give the song even more of a droning, trance-inducing feel – like snake-charming music for the ATP crowd. But it still fits the vibe of the music Animal Collective continues to put out: ever-churning, ear-thumping stomp-a-long pieces that are impossible to pigeonhole. –– Adam Offitzer
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