On Animal Collective’s latest album, Strawberry Jam, it sounds as if the members of the band have swapped their Incredible String Band LPs for minimal-house singles and their acoustic guitars for samplers. But just because the band has gone electronic doesn’t mean that it’s given up on the major earmarks of its folky past—particularly, jamming. Animal Collective has never been big on meticulously reconstructing its hit songs on stage; instead, the band’s shows have a tendency toward tangents and improvisation. Not that the band will be pictured on the cover of Relix any time soon: Animal Collective’s explorations are more about delay pedals, yodeling, and tribal rhythms than mandolin-fueled grandstanding. Sure, the same could be said about Rusted Root, but in that case it wouldn’t be a compliment. Animal Collective performs at 10 p.m. at the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $12. (202) 393-0930.
Animal Collective
Friday, Sept. 28, at the 9:30 Club
