Animal Collective is a band that formed in Baltimore County, Maryland. The band is known for its unique and highly unpredictable sound, with lively vocals and psychedelic arrangements. Animal Collective formed in 1999, and they released their first album in 2000. Animal Collective grew in stature with albums such as "Feels" and "Strawberry Jam," and they peaked with 2009's "Merriweather Post Pavilion." The album is a great achievement for Animal Collective, and it is notable for a variety of reasons.

To start with, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" marks a significant step forward in the band's sound. Animal Collective's previous efforts were wild and experimental, often utilizing dissonance and bizarre sound effects. However, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" presents their style in a more approachable manner. The album still has the oddities that are found in the band's past albums, but the abnormalities are tempered with sunny compositions and exquisite vocal parts. Much of the album is drenched with dazzling melodies that are delightful to listen to, and the vocals have expansive harmonies that take considerable influence from The Beach Boys. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" has a luminous sound to it, and the most unusual portions of the album still have catchy aspects to them.

Additionally, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is otherworldly in the best way possible. Whether it is the explosive climax of "In the Flowers" or the soaring choruses of "My Girls," the album is laid out in kaleidoscopic ways that are erratic and unstable. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" has an extraordinary array of sounds that are hypnotic and stunning, and it is full of incredible moments that make the listener feel exhilarated with what they are hearing. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" transports the listener to another dimension, and it brings them into an offbeat world that is full of wonderfully peculiar environments.

Finally, the production is excellent. From organs and guitars to synthesizers and percussion, every song on the album is stuffed with numerous details that give incredible depth to the album. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" has many layers of sound, and it reveals new facets about itself with every listen. The production turns the album into a sonic wall that is bigger than life itself, and the album always sounds clean and polished. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is a colossal endeavor for listeners to endure, and the production makes it possible to get lost in the extensive atmospheres that the album creates.

Overall, "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is an excellent album. It marks a new chapter in Animal Collective's discography, as it makes their sound considerably less difficult to get into. The album is magical, and its mesmerizing sound brings the listener into a completely different world altogether. The production is fantastic as well, as it coats the album with numerous features and an elegant aura. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is an exceptional effort, and it is among Animal Collective's strongest albums.