Can't trust Pitchfork on this one
Mr. Thistle | Salt Lake City, UT | 07/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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 one completely submerged 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. Obviously, listening to this record, it being in reverse and all, is going to provide a different listen then most but if you let yourself sink in you will find yourself floating down the beautifully relaxing river, flanked by monkeys on all sides!"
Beautiful, and needs a few listens
Lara Rodriguez | NY | 12/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So i heard the unreleased version with the tracks as "normal", not sped up or backwards, and I was at first disappointed. But giving it more listens, it really grew on me! It gives me a completely added appreciation for the songs as they had been originally, as well as how the editing change had made them different and still the same. so interesting, so beautifully done... don't throw it out on one or two listens. and try and find the unreleased versions to compare if you can."