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'''''Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper''''' is the fifth [[studio album]] by American recording artist [[Panda Bear (musician)|Panda Bear]]. It was released on January 9, 2015 by the [[Domino Recording Company]]. ''Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper'' was preceded by the digital release of an [[extended play]], ''Mr Noah'', and two singles, "Mr Noah" and "Boys Latin".
'''''Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper''''' was the fifth [[studio album]] by American recording artist [[Panda Bear (musician)|Panda Bear]] until the Lead Belly estate ordered all copies destroyed. It was released on January 9, 2015 by the [[Domino Recording Company]]. ''Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper'' was preceded by the digital release of an [[extended play]], ''Mr Noah'', and two singles, "Mr Noah" and "Boys Latin".


== Background and development ==
== Background and development ==

Revision as of 18:16, 30 January 2015

Untitled

Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper was the fifth studio album by American recording artist Panda Bear until the Lead Belly estate ordered all copies destroyed. It was released on January 9, 2015 by the Domino Recording Company. Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper was preceded by the digital release of an extended play, Mr Noah, and two singles, "Mr Noah" and "Boys Latin".

Background and development

We’re constantly forced through experiences that allow us to become something new—to create a new identity. Moving [to Portugal] was something like that for me. I had this vision of a future for myself as a person that lived in America, and then all of a sudden it was completely demolished.

—Panda Bear on the use of death as a metaphor on the album[1]

Having recorded his bleaker previous album Tomboy (2011) in a basement, Panda Bear wanted to go into the opposite direction on Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, aiming for a more "lively" and "busy" sound.[2] He began working on the album while working on Animal Collective's Centipede Hz (2012) in Texas.[3] Sonic Boom, who mixed and mastered Panda Bear's previous album Tomboy, co-produced the album.[4][5] The two spent two weeks in November 2013 refining demo recordings Panda Bear had made at home and spent five weeks, beginning in January 2014, finishing the album. Sonic Boom mixed the album on the Balearic island of Minorca.[6] About the album title, Panda Bear said "It’s about presenting something that we don’t have an easy time dealing with in a costume that’s just a little bit more clown-y."[1] It was also inspired by the titles of 1970s dub collaboration albums such as Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry and the Wailers Band and King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown.[7]

Composition

The lyrical themes of the album center around personal growth, although Panda Bear wanted to discuss issues on a larger scale because he wanted to avoid "self-obsession or narcissism".[1] The drum programming on Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper was influenced by 1990s hip-hop. Specifically, Panda Bear cited Dust Brothers, Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, and J Dilla as influences.[3]

The opening track, "Sequential Circuits" is a neo-psychedelia song, which was described as "swirling" and "a[s] pure as a babbling brook".[8] "Tropic of Cancer" contains a harp sample from the The Nutcracker suite and its lyrics concern the death of Panda Bear's father. His vocal harmonies on the song were compared to those of The Beach Boys.[9][10]

Release and promotion

In March 2014, Panda Bear announced a North American tour for May during which he would be performing tracks from the new album.[11] From July through September, he toured Europe and North America.[12] On January 11, 2015, Panda Bear played a Boiler Room set at MoMA PS1.[1] He has seven European performances scheduled for March 2015.[13]

Panda Bear released a mixtape called PB vs. GR on September 11.[14] On October 23, Panda Bear released the EP Mr Noah and made Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper available for pre-order. That day also saw the release of the album's first single, "Mr Noah", and a music video directed by AB/CD/CD.[15] A teaser video for the album, directed by Danny Perez, was released on October 29.[16] The second single, "Boys Latin", was released on December 15, and was accompanied by a music video directed by Isaiah Saxon and Sean Hellfritsch. The music video had its premiere on Adult Swim.[17]

On January 4, 2015, Panda Bear launched his global radio campaign to premiere nine new tracks from the album. Various radio stations from around the world each premiered different tracks.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic82/100[19]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[20]
Consequence of SoundB[9]
Exclaim!9/10[21]
The Guardian[22]
NOW[23]
Pitchfork Media8.7/10[24]
Record Collector[25]
Slant Magazine[26]
Uncut8/10[27]
Under the Radar[27]

Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper was praised by contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 82, based on 32 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[19]

Robin Murray of Clash complimented Panda Bear's use of his "perfect" tenor on "Mr Noah".[8] Writing for Consequence of Sound, Adam Kivel lauded the "multivalent" production of the album but criticized Panda Bear's choice not to deviate from his signature sound.[9] Matthew Ritchie of Exclaim! commended Panda Bear's lyrics and "expansive and deeply resonating melodies" that were presented on the album.[21] Writing for NOW, Samantha Edwards praised Panda Bear's vocals and their diversity throughout the album.[23] Jake Kennedy of Record Collector appreciated Panda Bear's ability to experiment.[25]

Track listing

Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper – Standard edition[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sequential Circuits"Panda Bear3:35
2."Mr Noah"Panda Bear4:13
3."Davy Jones' Locker"Sonic Boom0:35
4."Crosswords"Panda Bear3:36
5."Butcher Baker Candlestick Maker"Panda Bear3:07
6."Boys Latin"Panda Bear4:12
7."Come to Your Senses"Panda Bear7:23
8."Tropic of Cancer"Panda Bear6:12
9."Shadow of the Colossus"Sonic Boom0:17
10."Lonely Wanderer"Panda Bear4:19
11."Principe Real"Panda Bear4:54
12."Selfish Gene"Panda Bear5:05
13."Acid Wash"Panda Bear3:42
Total length:51:10
Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper – iTunes Store Bonus Mr Noah EP edition[29]
No.TitleLength
1."Mr Noah"4:13
2."Faces in the Crowd"4:08
3."Untying the Knot"3:10
4."This Side of Paradise"4:34
Total length:1:07:15
Sample credits

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper.[28]

  • Rob Carmichael - layout
  • Simon Davey - mastering
  • Joaquim Monte - engineering
  • Hugo Oliveira - interior illustration
  • Panda Bear - JoMoX Xbase 999, Yamaha TX81Z, Moog Voyager, Elektron DPS-1, vocals, piano, effects, percussion, production, art direction
  • Marco Papiro - cover illustrations
  • Seen - art direction, layout
  • Pedro Silve - assistant engineering
  • Sonic Boom - EMS Synthi AKS, Fenix II Modular, Moog Voyager, vocoder, effects, production, mixing, art direction

Release history

Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Germany January 9, 2015
Domino [30][31][32]
France January 12, 2015
  • Digital download
  • CD
  • LP
 [33][34][35]
Japan Digital download [36]
Spain [37]
United Kingdom
  • Digital download
  • CD
 [38][39]
Italy January 13, 2015
  • Digital download
  • CD
  • LP
 [40][41][42]
Spain
  • CD
  • LP
 [43][44]
United States
  • Digital download
  • CD
  • LP
 [45][46][47]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Joyce, Colin (January 5, 2015). ""Was It Worthwhile?": Panda Bear Profiled". Boiler Room. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  2. ^ McGovern, Kyle (January 7, 2015). "Q&A: Panda Bear Doesn't Fear the 'Reaper'". Spin. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Beta, Andy (December 12, 2014). "Panda Bear Chases the 'Psychedelic Sweet Spot' on 'Grim Reaper' LP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  4. ^ Minsker, Evan (February 22, 2014). "Panda Bear Preps New Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  5. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (October 24, 2014). "Update: Panda Bear". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  6. ^ Sherburne, Philip (January 5, 2015). "Q&A: Sonic Boom on Crocodiles, Magnets, and Co-Producing Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  7. ^ McAuliffe, Colm (January 6, 2015). "The Grinning Reaper: Panda Bear interviewed". The Skinny. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Murray, Robin (January 7, 2015). "Panda Bear - Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Clash. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c Kivel, Adam (January 5, 2015). "Panda Bear – Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Baker, Alex (January 9, 2015). "Album Review: Panda Bear - Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  11. ^ Pelly, Jenn (March 31, 2014). "Panda Bear Announces Tour Previewing New Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  12. ^ Pelly, Jenn (June 9, 2014). "Panda Bear Announces Tour". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  13. ^ "Panda Bear shares UK and European tour dates for 2015". Domino Recording Company. November 4, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "listen to Panda Bear's new PB vs. GR mixtape". Gorilla vs. Bear. September 11, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  15. ^ Minsker, Evan (October 23, 2014). "Panda Bear Announces Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper, Shares "Mr Noah", EP Out Now". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper teaser by Danny Perez". Gorilla vs. Bear. October 29, 2014. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  17. ^ Minsker, Evan (December 15, 2014). "Panda Bear Shares Trippy Animated "Boys Latin" Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  18. ^ Beauchemin, Molly (January 4, 2015). "Panda Bear Launches Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper Radio Premieres With "Sequential Circuits"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Reviews for Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper by Panda Bear". Metacritic. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  20. ^ Thomas, Fred (January 12, 2015). "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper - Panda Bear". Allmusic. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  21. ^ a b Ritchie, Matthew (January 9, 2015). "Panda Bear Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  22. ^ Petridis, Alexis (January 8, 2015). "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper review – blurry, beautiful psychedelia". The Guardian. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  23. ^ a b Edwards, Samantha (January 7, 2015). "Album of the week: Panda Bear". Now. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  24. ^ Berman, Stuart (January 12, 2015). "Panda Bear: Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  25. ^ a b Kennedy, Jake (January 2015). "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Record Collector. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  26. ^ Aspray, Benjamin (January 7, 2015). "Panda Bear: Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Metacritic. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  28. ^ a b c d e Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (Media notes). Panda Bear. Domino Recording Company. 2015. {{cite AV media notes}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (Bonus Mr Noah EP Edition) by Panda Bear". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
  30. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in German). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  31. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Amazon (in German). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  32. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (Lp+Mp3) [Vinyl LP] [Vinyl LP]". Amazon (in German). Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  33. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in French). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  34. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Amazon (in French). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  35. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper". Amazon (in French). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  36. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  37. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in Spanish). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  38. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  39. ^ "Panda Bear Meets Grim Reaper". Amazon. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  40. ^ "Panda Bear Meets Grim Reaper". Amazon (in Italian). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  41. ^ "Panda Bear Meets Grim Reap". Amazon (in Italian). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  42. ^ "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reap". Amazon (in Italian). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  43. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in Spanish). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  44. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon (in Spanish). Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  45. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  46. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  47. ^ "Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper". Amazon. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
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