Friday, June 22, 2007

Avey Tare + Kria Brekkan - Pullhair Rubeye

Avey Tare + Kria Brekkan
Pullhair Rubeye
(2007, Paw Tracks)
8.5/10

I don’t know why, but for me music often equates to animals and Pullhair Rubeye is like following a pack of monkeys underwater. How am I going to explain that? I don’t know if there is a real explanation but that’s what it sounds like: monkeys swimming. I can just imagine some documentary film following furry monkey completely under water so that the submerged echoes muddy the field recording as a beautiful melody provides the backdrop to the narrators description of the animal (I have been watching too many Planet Earth DVDs). Pullhair Rubeye is the figurative and literal love child of Avey Tare from Animal Collective and Kria Brekkan of Múm who were recently married. The album provides a kind of playful, primal innocence that is just unavoidably enjoyable. Pullhair Rubeye has also received an unfortunate scarlet letter because the album was released entirely in reverse. I understand that some people may be irritated at the fact that they may never hear the type of record they wanted out of these two musical master minds but I honestly believe that the result of this decision was inspired. The garbled vocals add another layer to the innocent/childlike appeal of the album. It has become very apparent that Avey Tare is the responsible member for this exciting element shared in Animal Collective’s recordings. Kria's keyboards and vocals fit perfectly with Avey's musings anchoring the songs into their odd structures. Obviously, listening to this record, it being in reverse and all, is going to provide a different listen than most, but if you let yourself sink in you will find yourself floating down the most beautiful, relaxing river, flanked by swimming monkeys on all sides!

-Mr. Thistle

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