I’ve been hearing a wide range of opinions about Animal Collective’s Fall Be Kind EP, which leaked last week before its December 15th debut.

For me, I give it an instant thumbs up.

It’s like a little treat, getting a five-song bundle from a these three crazies less than a year before their release of Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The opening track ‘Graze’ really does it for me - it contains one of the most beautifully strange transitions I’ve ever heard. It’s a body high of a dream sequence lullaby that turns into a somewhat ridiculous use of pan flutes reminiscent of an African safari.

My favorite by far is ‘What Would I want? Sky,’ which is characterized by their usual repetitive nature and witty uses of hallow, echoing voices both elevated and grounded by crashing and banging. I feel like whirling around or falling asleep… I can’t decide which, but both are good options.

My fellow forever fans of Animal Collective are not as impressed, but I don’t really see why. I think it’s creative, fun, and pretty.

To me, and I know this will be disputed and most likely criticized, Fall Be Kind EP is like Sung Tongs (my favorite AC album) hit puberty, partied hard, settled down with an artistic girlfriend and landed a respectable profession.

Take a listen!

[audio:http://jetcomx.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Animal-Collective-What-Would-I-Want-Sky1.mp3]