Concert review: Animal Collective veers between promising highs, less inspiring lows

All four of Animal Collective’s classic lineup — Avey Tare, Geologist, Panda Bear, and Deakin (none of their real names) — appeared in Newport Music Hall last night in support of the band’s new “Time Skiffs” album, the first to feature all four in 10 years.

The Baltimore group, separated by COVID and member sabbaticals, had a bit to prove. Especially after New Yorker Magazine heaped praise on the band recently, naming it one of a few key acts instituting change in the pop music landscape.

The ensemble had under its belt a catalog of albums full of shimmering, pristine pop music frequently turned on its ear with odd noises, brave arrangements, mysterious lyrics, and enigmatic songs. The new album only adds to the appeal, both artistically and melodic.

During a two-hour show, including encores, the band held true to the odd sounds, heartfelt if oddball lyrics, and impromptu possibilities of the album’s arrangements. But it rarely added the “pop” to its pop.

When listening to the band’s songs, one imagines moments of ecstasy and dancing alternating with trippy instrumental interludes. While the spacey side was largely realized, the urge to cut a rug was rarely inspired. And while Tare in particular spent time deep in melodic musing during extended, passionate vocal passages, light relief was rare.

Plus, it seemed many of the recordings’ intricate vocal harmonies weren’t even attempted, if accomplished.

There were moments of promise, times when the band put all its strengths together. The new album’s “Cherokee” was one. The group — propelled by Panda’s organ figures, Tare’s vocals, Geologist’s rummaging through sound effects and Deakin’s drum counterpoints — created a rich and intoxicating mix of emotion, texture and rhythm. “Magicians of Baltimore” opened with a dramatic dirge, the stuff of movie soundtracks, in a passionate, cinematic highlight.

Other highs included bold evidence of the band’s Beach Boys influence, especially the extended, funereal introduction to one song that reminded of the older band’s “A Day In The Life Of A Tree.”

All too often, though, emotional vocal introductions and fetching instrumental interludes fell flat when it came time to deliver the song’s goods.

L’Rain, who opened the concert with a set of dreamy, soul-based songs had a bigger challenge with the hall’s sound, which muddied the beauty found on her recent sophomore album “Fatigue.”

On paper, the fiercely creative neo-soul singer should have been a good match. Her atmospheric arrangements and startling arrangements should have set the stage well for Animal Collective. At its best, though, her songs felt like soothing tides washing over the hall. At worst, they were near cacophony.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Review: Animal Collective alternates between highs, lows at Newport