Animal Collective were formed by childhood friends Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), and Avey Tare (Dave Portner) after establishing their own label in New York. After some material only available around New York, the band began picking up steam by switching to Castup Plate label, and also solidified their lineup with Geologist (Brian Weitz) and Deakin (Josh Dibb). They released more, but never with all four members until 2003's Here Comes the Indian, the first album with the Animal Collective name. It was a dense mix of psychedelic and folk, splashed with noise. They garnered critical acclaim as they continued, with either their textural craziness, or stripped down campfire songs. With their first two obscure albums rereleased, and the albums Sung Tongs and Feels, Animal Collective are a name to look out for in the indie world. Even if they are as insane as their pseudonyms suggest.
