Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished

by François Couture A surprise awaits the casual listener on Spirit They're Gone, Spirit Thay've Vanished. The mysterious Avey Tare and Panda Bear's disc was the first release on the Animal label. The packaging hinted to pastoral songs with acoustic guitar and percussion. Once the play button is pressed, the listener is taken on a demented journey through nature as bucolic as an H.P. Lovecraft story. On the first seconds of "Spirit They've Vanished," a shroud of buzzing and swooshing electronics reminds the listener it this is recorded in 2000. Soft processed vocals cut through and then a reference to Radiohead's OK Computer becomes almost obligatory. It will remain throughout the album, but only as a vague relation. After the dreamy first track, things really kick into gear. "April and the Phantom" is an exciting song with a drum'n'bass-like beat played with brushes on acoustic drums, simple melody, fast-strummed acoustic guitar, violent outbursts in the chorus (reminiscent of a trick Paul McCartney played with Wings), and the disquieting line "She ran out of nature" sung over and over. Powerful and quirky. Elsewhere on the album, heavy distortion and noise electronics clash with soft piano arpeggios. There is something of early David Bowie in both vocals and writing on "Everyone Whistling" and "Bat You'll Fly." The album closes with an untitled 13-minute epic. Avey Tare and Panda Bear may sound to you like an acoustic version of New Order visited by the genius of Bowie and entering the studio with Christian Fennesz or Cornelius. Quirky avant-pop where surprises abound but always stay on the catchy track. You might find them too weird for your straight tastes or too catchy for your weird tastes. Then again you might find them to be the best of both worlds.