I hear shades of Adam and the Ants in here, despite the Beach Boys vocals and trippy Floydian echo flourishes. Maybe that sort of approximates a range of sound that they swim around in during this recording. I also hear some shades of Mercury Rev, but this would only make sense to someone familiar with these sounds. If you are new to this stuff I would say that this music maybe like getting high without the use of hallucinogens. Music that essentially conjures up fantastical dreamlike awareness, something akin to awakening awareness in the outer fringes of planetary externalization and novelty. I also hear shades of Eno as well, kind of like island music but multilayered and ever shifting and oscillating into ever more unusual deterritorialization.
June 19, 2008 |  | If you get it, you get it |  |
And if you don't, you don't. This isn't the sort of band that people will universally be drawn to. However, if you given them a shot and listen for a while, you may find that you have stumbled upon some of the most creative music you'll hear in a long while. This is one of those groups that is really hard to describe, so I won't even try to explain their folky,psychedelic sound. I'll just say that it's worth giving a chance.
April 27, 2008 | | Absolute freakin masterpiece | |
I've been reading reviews on Amazon for years and this is the first album I've felt inspired to actually review. Let me preface by saying that I'm wary of how liberal others are at giving 5 stars and gushing about other albums, when likely more often than not they're getting caught in the hype and will likely not be in to it as much a year or even a month later (assuming they actually listen to new music). But this album, "Feels", stands the test of time. It's that ultra-rare album that I want to listen to every track from the opening to closing seconds, without pause. That rare album I can respect and appreciate just as much as I can actually feel (yes, feel) something from. It's a towering achievement of art, a world of creation that stands on its own and draws you into its infectious realms with its promise of opening your eyes, mind, body, and soul to a completely unironic participation in the dance of creation. Epic, joyful, unpretentious, accessible, and utterly original and meaningful. It might not reach the epic psychedelic instrumental wizardry heights of, say, Zeppelin at their peak, but the difference is that AC welcome you into their world to participate in the dance, rather than simply present you with an ultimately cold, alienating and depressing magnum opus of sonic achievement (notice how much cheesier Zepp's "happy" songs were?) Yes it's possible to be both deep and happy and AC do it better than anyone else. The only other record I've called a masterpiece is Radiohead's OK Computer.
December 25, 2007| | | Animal Collective Try Out An Obscure Concept Entitled "A Chorus." | |
In this album, Animal Collective lay back a little bit on the nonsense collages and drones while pulling forward some actual pop sense. "Did You See The Words?" is immediately likeable with some really endearing sound effects and arrangements. The melodies are semi-catchy, and you can tell they're really trying to make an actual song here (It won't be long until they're normal! =o)
"Grass" was an obvious choice for the single/music video for this album, as it's got one of the greatest melodies I've heard in a long while, and it can even bring me to tears (A rare feat, even moreso with experimental art bands.) The lyrics are amazing, too, if you can actually discern them.
"Flesh Canoe" is the lowpoint of an album, though, because it's very sluggish and drenched with drones and indecipherable arrangement (Although the background vocals are kind of pretty)... But we're back on track with "Purple Canoe"! This is a hyped up song about a guy... who really loves this girl... Not a rare topic, but it's sweet. :)
"Bees" has some seriously detuned guitars that make it sound a little exotic and it's a pretty ditty, indeed. I especially like the... erm... refrain, or the closest thing to one, in which they sing, "The bees, the bees, the bees... reh-reh-raaaaaawh!"
The next track, "Banshee Beat" is a little bit slow, I'll admit, but it makes excellent background music... And "Daffy Duck" is just another pretty track. The melody is there, it is catchy, but I can never find myself humming it while walking around town... It's strange that way. Actually, Those two tracks along with "Loch Raven" are about the same schtick. If you like one, you'll like the other two.
"Turn Into Something" is really quite indie rock sounding. It's fun, loudly sung, and catchy. I don't know. To each their own, I guess, but I love this album a lot. Now that I think about it, this is sort of their equivalent to Ween's "The Pod." It's got melodies, it's got hooks, but the drugged out sludginess to the album can prevent them from shining through sometimes.
November 3, 2007| | | Not "Love at first listen" | |
To tell you the truth, when i first heard Animal Collective I simply "didn't get it". Sung Tongs was on my "most overrated list" of 2004 for its abrasive textures and sing song tones. But when Feels came along, I decided to give them another chance, and I still wasn't understanding them. But one day it just clicked when i was listening to "Did you see the Words". The hypnotic guitar warbles, and surf rythms made for a head bobbing, beach-boy-feeling, fun filled opening track. Which takes me to my second found love of the album track #4 "purple bottle" which with its tribal back beat provided by Panda Bear proved to be a "Pop" gem. With each full listen to this album I grew more and more to understand them. Dipping into the textures, like the guitar undertones in "Grass" (sounding like that of 60's psycadelia) made me see the genious that is animal collective. But I would feel cheated if I didn't mention 2 other songs. The first being Bees, which I feel is the weakest track. The harpsicord has always failed to entertain me as an instrument, and this song does little to change my mind, but with only 1 misstep, i would feel like it still deserves a 5 (there is no 4-3/4.) Finally I have to discuss my favorite tune on this disc "loch raven". It is a simple yet brilliant track with Panda Bears "chanting" background vocal melody along with his great drumming, paired with Avey Tary's almost demonic vocal line and a creepy synth part, this track just creeps inside your every being. Bands like this don't come along very often, but they bring a new appreciation for music when they do.
August 3, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
