10 years ago — way way back in a decade we no longer care to discuss as a whole — Animal Collective released Merriweather Post Pavilion. Would it be fair to call the album a “landmark” release? Sure! After all, we loved it at the time of its release, so much so that we deemed it our 12th favorite album released between 2000 and 2009. Only British royal babies gain that much clout less than a year into their existence!
Even today, listening to Merriweather refreshes you a bit like a glass of water and staggers you a bit like a firm slap to the face. Basically: shit still whips. Which is why Animal Collective have announced…Ballet Slippers, a brand new live album of brand old recordings.
Originally committed to tape in 2009, Ballet Slippers captures Animal Collective as they rode the post-Merriweather high through a nine-month tour. Mixed by Ajay Saggar and edited by Noah Lennox, the live document puts together some of the “greatest hits” off of Merriweather, along with familiar faves from other Animal Collective albums that aren’t celebrating a special anniversary and therefore will be omitted for brevity’s sake. It even features complete song transitions and interludes, to really make it feel like a true live experience, even though the recordings are a decade old and culled from different shows. Audio magic!
Ballet Slippers is coming out November 22 — very soon! — via Domino and can be pre-ordered here. A triple LP is available straight from Domino, and there will also be limited-edition merch, including a skateboard deck collaboration with Baker Skateboards and t-shirts designed by Kevin Long & Alix of Online Ceramics.
Check out the artwork and full tracklisting for Ballet Slippers down below.
Ballet Slippers sizing chart:
01. In The Flowers (Live June 2, 2009 Boulder, CO)
02. Who Could Win A Rabbit (Live June 9, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
03. Summertime Clothes (Live June 9, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
04. Bleed (Live May 30, 2009 Las Vegas, NV)
05. Guys Eyes (Live June 9, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
06. My Girls (Live May 30, 2009 Las Vegas, NV)
07. Banshee Beat (Live June 2, 2009 Boulder, CO)
08. Lion In A Coma (Live June 9, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
09. No More Runnin’ (Live May 29, 2009 Los Angeles, CA)
10. Lablakely Dress / Fireworks (Live June 9, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
11. Daily Routine (Live May 30, 2009 Las Vegas, NV)
12. Brothersport (Live June 2, 2009 Boulder, CO)
More about: Animal Collective
