Albums Of The Decade : 14 - Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (2004)

Surely the runaway favourites for indie/blogosphere darlings of the decade, it was somewhat gratifying that the final year of the noughties would see Animal Collective troubling the mainstream after ten years of often sublime experimentation and creativity. 2004's Sung Tongs was a breakthrough of sorts, introducing glorious melodies and technicolour arrangements to a previously abstract brew. 'Who Could Win a Rabbit' and 'Leaf House' exhibited a harmonic yet hyperactive pop sensibility, 'The Softest Voice' added wistful melancholy, while the second half of the album challenged the listener with formless, strangely hypnotic improvisation.