3. Animal Collective "Merriweather Post Pavilion"

So yea, I'm attempting to kick this top 10 albums list into high gear, as I leave on Friday and will not be at a computer until Sunday, so I want to have this done by Thursday. So yea, Animal Collective. This album is on everyone's year end lists, and upon listening to it, it's pretty obvious why. Animal Collective are just on another level from other artists right now. Combining elements of electro, shimmering synths, and ridiculous vocals and harmonies, AC delivers a gem of pure, unadulterated transient pop in MPP. Often, when listening to the album one becomes aware of how much is going on in the songs. The layering is incredible, but the magic of AC is that they don't overdue it. The combination of vocals, synths, and sound effects blend together in perfect harmony, delving the listener into an almost trance. AC has been putting out exceptional material for a while now, but MPP, in my opinion, is the best. Highlights include "Summertime Clothes," "Guys Eyes," and, of course, "My Girls." With it's shimmering synth build-up, hand-claps, and catchy, minimalist refrain, "My Girls" provides even casual indie fans a more accessible track for which to nimbly test the waters of such bands as AC. And even hardcore hipster indie kids cannot deny the sheer brilliance of "My Girls," though they will sure as hell try. Don't believe them. The awesomeness of "My Girls," and MPP as a whole is beyond debate.

Animal Collective- "My Girls"

8. Animal Collective "Fall Be Kind"

I told you something would come up. This spot was originally for the Avett Brothers I and Love and You album, but Animal Collective came out with this EP last week or so, and it is WAY to good for me to keep off the list. (Still check out the AB though, the album is beautiful). Anyways, this album, although only five songs long, is still incredible, right up there with Merriweather Post Pavilion in terms of vocal harmony and musicianship (a bit of foreshadowing there). The opening track "Graze" starts off with a swirl of strings and David Porter and Noah Lennox showcasing their vocal talents. The song builds up steadily with the strings and vocal, eventually exploding into a kind of Peruvian flute masterpiece. "Bleeding"contains the vocal harmonizing and layering which is to be expected from AC. The standout track however, is certainly "What Would I Want Sky", which samples the Grateful Dead's "Unbroken Chain" the first ever licensed Dead sample. Like "Graze" the song requires considerable build up, but boy is it worth it. At about the 3:10 marker, the sample kicks into gear, with Porter singing "Old glasses clinkin/and a new orders blinkin/and I should be floating/but I'm weighted by thinkin." The sample works to perfection with the rest of the song, as well as presenting a more accessible AC. Overall the album is nearly flawless, and it should be interesting to see what 2010 brings for AC.