It would be a stretch to describe anything Animal Collective has ever done as "pop," but the prolific Baltimore weirdos' do at least provide a few hooky signposts to guide you through the deconstructionist fray on their eighth LP. Merriweather Post Pavilion is by no means an easy listen and the band largely remains a take-it-or-leave-it proposition - Animal Collective has no "casual" fans, it's safe to say - but it is at least easier on you than most of their other recordings.

First listen: