Post-folk experimental band Animal Collective used to be one of those groups that made music as undefinable as the members were mysterious. Operating under made-up pseudonyms (Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist and Deakin), the boys of Animal Collective were in the indie community, known as something of an acquired taste. Their shows were as a matter of fact, even less relatable to some audience members. A typical Animal Collective show consisted of maybe five whole songs actually being played, most of them unrecognizable, and easily lasting for thirty minutes each. Self indulgent, maybe, but saturated with non-tradtional creativity, definitely. After the release of perhaps their most vocally explosive album to date (Strawberry Jam), Animal Collective then released their most universally listenable in January 2009. Merriweather Post Pavilion was not only received as captivating, genre-splicing and a successful move to pop music, but Animal Collective's fanbase could have easily grown tenfold in the process. Read on for The Onion's A.V. Club interview with Animal Collective. [A.V. Club via LHB]