Check It. Panda Bear's "Tomboy" [The Monday Download].

Like his main gig, Animal Collective, Panda Bear's solo music is pretty weird. It's experimental, ethereal, filled with strange noises. And yet, it also somehow manages to be catchy. There were many moments in Panda Bear's debut album, Person Pitch, that I felt reminded of the pop experimentalist nature of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. (It also helps that he has a voice that can reach up nearly as high as Brian Wilsons's).

The indie music community has been long awaiting the sophomoric release, and it's finally here. Although set to officially be released April 12th, NPR is streaming the entire album, named Tomboy, for free on its website. Check it out now, and give me your thoughts.

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Animal Collective's "ODDSAC" at the Arclight.

Animal Collective's "Merriweather Post Pavilion" was nearly unanimously chosen as the top record of 2009 by music critics and fans everywhere, but the experimental rock band isn't taking a break for 2010. Not only were they recently invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NYC's Guggenheim Museum with two site-specific live performances, but now they'll be touring the U.S. with director Danny Perez for their unique visual album, ODDSAC.

ODDSAC is, well, as odd as it sounds. At least, that's what we can gather from this trailer:

Knowing Animal Collective, it's sure to be daring and creative, to say in the least, and probably filled with mind-blowing tunes. And in any case, the band and Perez will all be on hand at the two screenings at the Arclight Hollywood (in the Dome!) on March 22nd, so you can try asking them to decipher it for you. One screening will be at 7pm, the other at 9pm, and tickets are only $15. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience, and likely to sell out.

And if you don't think you can handle taking on this film/visual album in the theater, the DVD with extras will be released on June 29.

-- Chau Tu

Etc. Banshee Beat video.

As a now-regular commuter to the heart of Los Angeles, braving those packed freeways for a simple paycheck, I admit I have become immune to all the wonders this city's roadways hold. I am a born-and-bred Angeleno; these freeways have always been part of my blood and I appreciated them to a certain extent--the memories of trips to Orange County for delicious Asian food, the drives to college seeing downtown L.A.'s skyrises on the horizon. But commuting has ruined it all.

I discovered this video after my friend Greg posted it on his facebook, and let's just say that I've become nostalgic again. Eugene Cheung, the filmmaker (whom I know nothing about, sorry), writes in his description of the film that this traces his own commute to a job in L.A., and with Animal Collective as the soundtrack, this video just can't get more fitting. There is beauty in simpicity, my friends, and thankfully Cheung's video reminds us all of that. (And with the genius of using Google street view, ah!)

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. New Animal Collective.

We started the year with January's Merriweather Post Pavilion and now we can bookend 2009 with even more new tripped-out tunes from Animal Collective.

The new EP Fall Be Kind already leaked last week, but if you would like a physical copy, Domino is taking your pre-order for the December 14^th release now. Will it get to your house in time to wrap and give as a Christmas gift to the hipster in your life? Maybe. Otherwise, keep it for yourself, because you deserve it. Check-out the first track, “Graze,” below: