Panda Bear - Person Pitch (Album Review)

 

Panda Bear - Person Pitch

(2007)

My copy: 2017 remastered reissue on white and blue vinyl by My Animal Home.

Having built a name for himself as a core contributor to Animal Collective, Noah Lennox generated an impressive amount of hype for Person Pitch by boldly focusing on the 12-minute psychedelic powerhouse “Bros” as his lead single. On 2004’s Young Prayer, the music is stripped-down, brief, emotional and raw while Person Pitch seemed to focus exclusively on long-form electronic productions with a heavy emphasis on layered melodies, creating further interest in this new direction. 

The slow building march of “Comfy In Nautica” perfectly introduces listeners to the world of Panda Bear: dense yet open, energetic yet relaxed. Panda Bear’s production style brings an excitement to the music while the writing keeps things peppy and light. The syncopated clapping keeps the song moving in spite of its relatively simple arrangement, and the walls of reverb help the vocals feel grand. “Take Pills” turns sampled skateboard sounds into an integral percussive element, beginning as slow and intricate, only to burst into a bubbly, Beach Boys-inspired pop ditty. While the layering is impressive, the sound can sometimes feel too washed out, though this is likely the desired effect.

“Bros” is one of two lengthy masterpieces, again beginning simple, only to gradually evolve into a more complex amalgamation of samples and warm acoustic strumming. The sleigh bells and sweet vocal motif of the first half paint images of soft fairy lights adorning the walls of a home kept warm in the winter by a crackling fireplace. The fire analogy feels especially apt given Lennox’s tendency to work in idiosyncratic pops and hisses, or even unpredictable percussive booms that explode loudly in the mix (perhaps a note from Dave Friedmann’s book). 

The next masterpiece is the much more eccentric “Good Girl/Carrots” which are technically separate songs though they weave seamlessly together. Tribal drum patterns repeat with a quiet melody, totally rearranging the mood. The album is now fully awake and energized, as it ambitiously combines Eastern tendencies with Lennox’s reassuring vocal mantras. Where “Bros” was hypnotic in a lulling sense, “Good Girl/Carrots” is hypnotic in an entrancing sense. While some elements can be too washy in the mix, Lennox ensures the high-end sounds teeter carefully at the precipice of tinniness, not becoming too overbearing. The original structure is swallowed into a new, darker beat that would suit a British trip-hop group. Though the atmosphere is notably heavier, Lennox continues to guide us through his curated tour with sunny harmonies and twinkly music box chimes. There are electronic spasms that mimic natural sounds, contrasting tonal concepts, and bold transitions, setting this one in line with some of the best Animal Collective-related material on the market. 

A chorus of heavenly voices are warped and looped into “I’m Not” which turns into a serene piece of synthwave with cascading vocal compliments. “Search For Delicious” serves us a cathartic slice of ambient bliss, as angelic voices glide through clouds of fuzz, only interrupted occasionally by Lennox’s glitching transmissions. Finally, “Ponytail” is a short and sweet pop progression that delays its resolution with dissonance, making the album’s final harmony all the more rewarding. 

Person Pitch is an incredible work that feels both patient and eager. Panda Bear’s forte lies more in the blissful crescendos of warm electronic sounds, all backed by his traditionally pleasing vocal melodies. While Avey Tare may be more fluent in experimentation, the best of Panda Bear’s work displays not only the work of a seasoned producer, but also the work of a disciplined musician. I find Avey Tare to be more consistently engaging from an emotional standpoint, but the highs on Person Pitch are some of the most deeply engrossing musical experiences released in relation to the Animal Collective name.