Release Date: April 12, 2011
Animal Collective is one of the few bands today that seem to be incapable of any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, their Midas touch has recently only applied to their work as a group. The Collective’s Avey Tare released a passable solo effort last October and with Panda Bear’s newest solo album, Tomboy, fans are left with two just okay albums from previously proven musicians.
Tomboy is no Person Pitch. While Panda Bear’s last album was a fun, critically acclaimed album that took psychedelic pop to exciting new places, Tomboy comes off as something of a drag.
Sound-wise Tomboy is a darker album. Songs grind and gurgle, are generally slower than most of his other work and contain a greater focus on drumming and guitars than before. Panda Bear’s vocals also seemed to be more processed than normal. While it’s true that Panda Bear’s vocals have usually been reliant on a number of filters, this album gives him an empty, watery echo that leaves the album feeling moody or depressed.
Tomboy remains technically sound, but none of it is as daring as Panda Bear’s earlier works. One of the more popular songs from Person Pitch, “Take Pills” worked well because it was given the freedom to wander from one style to another all within the confines of a single song. Most of the songs on Tomboy however, are exhausted in about a minute; a rigid, somewhat repetitive structure is what defines a lot of this album’s music.
Panda Bear is one of the more creative artists working today, but consequently there are a few tracks that just don’t work out. Though the folk tale of Arabian Nights is a rich source to draw inspiration from, Tomboy’s “Scheherazade” does next to nothing with the exciting source material and even less toward developing the album’s sound. Expect a somber piano accompanied by droning vocals that don’t really excite or entice at any point.
Tomboy is not without high points, however. On “Surfer’s Hymn,” Panda Bear gets pretty close to recapturing some of his earlier charms. Unlike many other tracks, the hymn manages to build tension while bringing back the more upbeat, surf-inspired style that made Person Pitch such a success.
That being said, this album has the ability to grow on people. After the shock of the heavier style and syncopated percussion wears off, persistent fans will discover there is a good amount of depth to the album’s sound that makes repeat listens worthwhile.
As a dirge, Tomboy is a success; it’s dark, it’s down-tempo and its style reeks of melancholia, but as a Panda Bear album it’s sort of a disappointment. Nothing here is quite as exciting, new or even as polished as his work on earlier albums or with Animal Collective.
Those interested in seeing how Panda Bear continues to evolve his sound are encouraged to give the album a listen, but those looking for another upbeat summer album may want to pass on Tomboy.
Panda Bear – Tomboy Tracklisting:
- “You Can Count on Me”
- “Tomboy”
- “Slow Motion”
- “Surfer’s Hymn”
- Last Night at the Jetty”
- “Drone”
- “Alsatian Darn”
- “Scheherazade”
- “Friendship Bracelet”
- “Afterburner”
- “Benfica”
