Plenty of artists, from The Beach Boys to Stone Roses, have utilized the sound of a song being played backwards, but there aren’t too many that would conceive of putting together an entire album of such pieces. It should come as no surprise that a former member of Mum (Brekkan) and a member of NYC’s Animal Collective (Tare) would put together an album as sonically tricky and beautiful as this, yet from the first warped notes, this collaboration removed itself from status as an odd footnote and instead stands to be one of the best albums of the year. The strange thrums and snatches of vocals, especially Brekkan’s childlike timbre, are strangely relaxing, especially those tracks that maintain a loping, dreamlike pace (most notably the eight minute head spinner “Opis Helpus”). Other songs approximate the glitchy electronic frippery of Oval, such as the fast-paced “Palenka,” or they practically define the playful spirit of the whole album with their chattering giddiness (“Sasong”). The warm, rich tones and atmosphere of Pullhair Rubeye are not to be taken in small doses, but instead should be savored and allowed to seep into your skin.
-- Robert Ham
