If at all possible, go see Animal Collective play live.

I absolutely cannot co-sign it hard enough: if you are in one of the cities that Animal Collective are playing on their current tour, go see them. The ticket price is sort of high (about $20) but it is completely absolutely worth the price if you can afford it. (Or, if you fully cannot afford it, contact the club and tell them that you write for a magazine and get a press pass). Also, their new album, Strawberry Jam, is one of the greatest pop records ever made. This is not an exaggeration. Both the record and current live show demonstrate beautifully why Animal Collective are one of the most important teams of our time.

Animal Collective
September 5th - Boston, MA - The Avalon
September 6th - Montreal, Quebec - Le National
September 7th - Ottawa, Ontario - Bronson Centre Theater
September 8th - Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix
September 9th - Oberlin, OH @ Oberlin College
September 10th - Chicago, IL - Vic
September 11th - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
September 14th - Seattle, WA - Neumos
September 15th - Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
September 16th - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
September 17th - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
September 18th - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
September 20th - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theater
September 21st - El Paso, TX - Club 101
September 22nd - Austin, TX - Emos
September 23rd - Norman, OK - Bricktown Ballroom
September 24th - St. Louis, MO - Gargoyle Club
September 25th - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
September 26th - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
September 27th - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
September 28th - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
September 29th - Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom
September 30th - New York, NY - Webster Hall
October 1st - New York, NY - Webster Hall
(the photos are side-ways)