Animal Collective is a musical group which formed in Baltimore, Maryland, U… Read Full Bio ↴Animal Collective is a musical group which formed in Baltimore, Maryland, United States in 1999. The band consists of Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Avey Tare (David Portner), Deakin (Josh Dibb) and Geologist (Brian Weitz). Records released under the name Animal Collective may include contributions from any or all of these members; the lineup is not uniform.

The band has released fourteen albums: "Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished" (2000), "Danse Manatee" (2001), "Campfire Songs" (2003), "Here Comes the Indian" (2003), "Sung Tongs" (2004), "Feels" (2005), "Strawberry Jam" (2007), "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (2009), "Centipede Hz" (2012), "Painting With" (2016), "Tangerine Reef" (2018), "Crestone" (2021), "Time Skiffs" (2022), and "Isn't It Now?" (2023). They also composed and performed the soundtrack for the 2022 film, The Inspection, directed by Elegance Bratton and produced by A24.

Prior to "Here Comes the Indian", the group's albums were not credited to the band name "Animal Collective" but instead to "Avey Tare & Panda Bear" (for "Spirit"), "Avey Tare, Panda Bear & Geologist" (for "Danse") and "Campfire Songs" (for "Campfire Songs").

The band members met in school and started recording together in various forms of collaboration from a young age. Although the band is often classified as psych folk or noise rock, it is hard to define the Animal Collective sound as they often experiment with diverse styles and ideas from album to album. The group also runs the record label Paw Tracks on which they have released their own material as well as material by artists such as Ariel Pink, Terrestrial Tones, and The Peppermints. Paw Tracks' latest signee is Tickley Feather, with whom the band recently toured.

Tantrum Barb
Animal Collective Lyrics

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There on the threshold below to the garden
In front of the rest of the city that ends at the
Banks of the river and stretches back to me and
Holds a square patch of backyard where I’m looking at
Bunches of children, some fixed at their parents,
Take colorful strings draped cross branches of lemon and
Orange emit from the ends of it seem like
A galaxy cupped in a leafy red canopy

(And I feel the breezes blow, pushing storms on my arms,
I'm out on the tips of spires, you can stare into the sea)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Animal Collective's song Tantrum Barb describe a moment of observation and reflection as the singer looks out at a group of children playing in a garden. The garden is situated on the threshold between the city and the river, and the singer is struck by the contrast between the narrow patch of greenery and the sprawling urban landscape beyond. The scene is idyllic and peaceful, with the children playing happily and the branches of lemon and orange trees draping colorful strings across the garden. The singer is overcome by a sense of wonder and awe, feeling as though they are perched on the tips of spires, looking out onto the vast expanse of the sea.

Line by Line Meaning

There on the threshold below to the garden
Standing at the entrance of the garden

In front of the rest of the city that ends at the
Facing the urban landscape that leads up to the

Banks of the river and stretches back to me and
Extending towards me as I gaze upon the river

Holds a square patch of backyard where I’m looking at
A small, enclosed area of land holds my attention

Bunches of children, some fixed at their parents,
Clusters of kids, some remaining close to their guardians

Take colorful strings draped cross branches of lemon and
Adorning tree limbs with strings of various hues

Orange emit from the ends of it seem like
Radiating an orange glow from their tips, so much so that it resembles

A galaxy cupped in a leafy red canopy
A heavenly expanse nestled within a crimson foliage

(And I feel the breezes blow, pushing storms on my arms,
As the wind caresses my skin, sending waves of energy up my limbs

I'm out on the tips of spires, you can stare into the sea)
Balancing precariously atop a pinnacle, able to gaze upon the ocean beyond

Contributed by Jason M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.