Panda Bear: Tomboy

Panda Bear
Tomboy
Paw Tracks Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Panda Bear's fourth and most accessible record to date!

Album Review:
If you have followed along at all with Noah "Panda Bear" Lennox's musical career, then you are already impressed with his indie savvy and critically hailed records with both Animal Collective and his own solo work with Panda Bear. On Tomboy, his fourth, this streak continues, as he takes his typical more arty psychedelia reverb approach to music and brings it ever so close to the indie mainstream without giving up any of his inner core. Tomboy successfully combines all of Lennox's previous ideas and moments to form complete and focused thoughts that come off completely likable, memorable and downright catchy. It all starts with Tomboy's more straightforward song structures and shorter tracks compared to his earlier work but Panda Bear still has the ability and smarts to push the music here to the brim, while still retaining the listener with his layered harmonies and spectacular walls of sound. At times, Lennox's vocals sound like they were recorded in a tunnel but yet have the warmest quality attached to them and almost makes the listener feel like you are in the tunnel too. It is this inclusive feeling that makes Tomboy a stellar listen and helps Panda Bear reign supreme at this style of bedroom pop. This is the type of record you just want to let play, hit repeat, and play again as the afternoon just wastes away!

Key Tracks: "You Can Count On Me", "Slow Motion", "Afterburner"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Houses
The Beach Boys
Women & Children

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Paw Tracks Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony