Author: Richie DeMaria
The surreal image adorning the cover of Panda Bear’s Person Pitch-a group of hatted children rubbing shoulders in a hot tub with a friendly gang of wild animals-tells you all you need to know about the music contained within. Like the seven tunes making up Person Pitch, the collage is a little whimsical, a little disarming, and rather weird-really weird, in fact-but damn if it isn’t cool.
It’s difficult to pigeonhole the music on Person Pitch, one of the year’s most highly praised albums. Reference points abound, as the music brings to mind everything from the melodic pop of The Beach Boys and The Zombies to the reverb-drenched dub of King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry to Indian raga music. Whatever it is, it’s gorgeous, the perfect music for blissing out on a summer day.
One critic equated Person Pitch to taking a swim through the filling of a freshly baked pie, and it’s an apt description; a warm, gooey atmosphere pervades throughout. “Comfy In Nautica” is downright soothing with its uplifting lyrics and choral chants, and the instrumental “I’m Not” is nothing less than dreamy. “Bros” is so sweetly melodic that its 12 minute length is a pleasure, not a hindrance.
Occasionally, Panda Bear throws too many ideas into his musical melting pot. “Good Girl/Carrots,” overstuffed with tabla drums and crazy vocals, is a tad overwhelming. To be sure, even the less busy tracks may be too much for some listeners-this is “outsider music” through and through. But if you’re looking for something different, consider lending your ears to this beautiful little oddity; you’ll be happy you took the trip.
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