Animal Collective is an American experimental pop band formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1999. They were founded by Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), 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, though Portner and Lennox have been on every Animal Collective release.

The band's music is characterized by studio experimentation, vocal harmonies, and an exploration of various genres which include freak folk, noise rock, ambient drone, and psychedelia. The group also runs the record label Paw Tracks on which they have released their own material as well as that of other artists. In 2009, the band released their most commercially successful album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, which Uncut magazine called: "one of the landmark American albums of the century so far".

History

Origins and early influences

"Who Could Win a Rabbit" is the first single from experimental pop band Animal Collective's fifth album, Sung Tongs.

The song has a quick structure and oblique, seemingly nonsensical lyrics. It also possesses an unusual time signature. Based in 3/4, which has been used repeatedly by the band, it has two sporadic bars in 4/4 and a bridge in 5/4. While the song has no confirmed meaning it is commonly interpreted as being a message to slow down and take life easy, like the Tortoise from The Tortoise and the Hare.

It was ranked by Pitchfork Media to be the 54th best single of 2000-2004. The song "Baby Day" is included on the single as a b-side.

Music video

The music video for Who Could Win A Rabbit was directed by Danny Perez, who subsequently directed the Animal Collective visual album ODDSAC. The video features Avey Tare and Panda Bear as a rabbit and turtle respectively, racing each other in the same vein as Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, while Geologist and Deakin are spectators of the race. The video ends with Panda Bear killing Tare and eating his bloody remains.