4/7/2010
ODDSAC, A-
Before Strawberry Jam and Merriweather Post Pavilion came along, Animal Collective began working on a film called ODDSAC. Sometimes referred to as a visual album, the 54-minute film was directed and edited by friend Danny Perez, a former roadie for Animal Collective opener Black Dice. Perez worked the lights on many of Animal Collective’s shows and performances, and choreographed and made costumes for their performance of their recent single “Summertime Clothes” on The Late Show with David Letterman. The film premiered on January 26, 2010 at Sundance Film Festival.
The film is a story told visually and sonically as opposed to through a narrative. The logic that moves the film from one scene to another is sensory; the connection between two scenes may be a particular feeling instead of recurring characters or events. ODDSAC meanders about numerous psychedelic visual scenarios; the opening scene depicts a wall bleeding oil, and one of the most shockingly clever scenes portrays marshmallows literally devouring a family. As made evident by the events occurring in the film, it is clearly not as accessible as recent work such as Merriweather Post Pavilion. ODDSAC is for open-minded audiences looking to venture into the peculiar. The film can be both humorous and terrifying, inviting a unique visceral experience.
At the conclusion of the screening Avey Tare (David Portner), the Geologist (Brian Weitz), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Danny Perez took questions. The only member of the film not present was Panda Bear (Noah Lennox). Avey Tare, the Geologist, and Danny Perez all cited old horror movies as major influences. One member of the audience wanted to know what they were trying to say with the film and if there was an actual plot. Perez simply stated that he would leave this ambiguous, letting the viewers decide for themselves. The band reiterated that the scenes are connected by emotions and not by characters. A handful of others were equally displeased by the disjointed nature of the narrative of the film. ODDSAC is an emotionally natural and innate experience. One has to clear their mind of expectations and just let this carnival of senses take them on a journey of bleeding walls, and vampires. The film will be released through DVD with bonus material and iTunes on June 29, 2010. I will absolutely purchase this film and I recommend anyone who enjoys Animal Collective, psychedelic color palettes, and cannibalistic marshmallows to as well.
The film is a story told visually and sonically as opposed to through a narrative. The logic that moves the film from one scene to another is sensory; the connection between two scenes may be a particular feeling instead of recurring characters or events. ODDSAC meanders about numerous psychedelic visual scenarios; the opening scene depicts a wall bleeding oil, and one of the most shockingly clever scenes portrays marshmallows literally devouring a family. As made evident by the events occurring in the film, it is clearly not as accessible as recent work such as Merriweather Post Pavilion. ODDSAC is for open-minded audiences looking to venture into the peculiar. The film can be both humorous and terrifying, inviting a unique visceral experience.
At the conclusion of the screening Avey Tare (David Portner), the Geologist (Brian Weitz), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Danny Perez took questions. The only member of the film not present was Panda Bear (Noah Lennox). Avey Tare, the Geologist, and Danny Perez all cited old horror movies as major influences. One member of the audience wanted to know what they were trying to say with the film and if there was an actual plot. Perez simply stated that he would leave this ambiguous, letting the viewers decide for themselves. The band reiterated that the scenes are connected by emotions and not by characters. A handful of others were equally displeased by the disjointed nature of the narrative of the film. ODDSAC is an emotionally natural and innate experience. One has to clear their mind of expectations and just let this carnival of senses take them on a journey of bleeding walls, and vampires. The film will be released through DVD with bonus material and iTunes on June 29, 2010. I will absolutely purchase this film and I recommend anyone who enjoys Animal Collective, psychedelic color palettes, and cannibalistic marshmallows to as well.
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