Feels
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Fat Cat
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 151 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 151
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 151
  3. Negative: 8 out of 151

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  1. SauceyNoswad
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Possibly the greatest album by Animal Collective. There is a lot to admire here, whether it be how well the innovative soundscape full of pounding toms meshes with the lyrics or simply the powerful emotion that is presented in each of the tracks in the album. Avey Tare’s vocal delivery is genuine, and it is easy to hear in tracks such as “Turn Into Something” or “The Purple Bottle.” The album contains some of Animal Collective’s best melodies, perfected in such a way that makes parts of the album near perfect. It is a great album, I would recommend it to anyone interested in indie pop or indie music of any sort.… Expand
  2. deadbank
    Feb 28, 2019
    8
    The beginning half of this album makes me feel things that I've never felt before, but it takes a bit of a dive on the second half.
    Favorites: Did You See the Words?, Grass, Flesh Canoe, The Purple Bottle, Banshee Beat, Turn Into Something
    Least Favorites: Bees, Daffy Duck
  3. dekusm
    Mar 14, 2018
    10
    Easily one of the toughest listens from one of the toughest bands, but for those who choose to give it repeated listens, you'll slowly grow to like specific moments, which brings you to want to listen to more until you've fallen in love with the full album, even after 13 years (jeeeeze!)
    There isn't another album with a mood like this. It sounds like they slept in forest while writing and    Easily one of the toughest listens from one of the toughest bands, but for those who choose to give it repeated listens, you'll slowly grow to like specific moments, which brings you to want to listen to more until you've fallen in love with the full album, even after 13 years (jeeeeze!)
    There isn't another album with a mood like this. It sounds like they slept in forest while writing and recording this, making some songs during the day and some around a campfire at night. That probably doesn't make sense, but neither does the sound and style of this album, really.
    The unfolding of Banshee Beat, the last 2 minutes of Purple Bottle, the chaotic pop-infused Grass...it's all stuff you'll never find from another band, or even in another Animal Collective album.    … Expand
  4. Rod_Serling
    Aug 28, 2012
    9
    The vocal arrangements are beautiful, free-wheeling, and fun. The instrumentation consists of gorgeous piano, guitars plugged into some very odd effects, autoharps. It's a near-perfect album that only drags with the song "Daffy Duck."
  5. seekmagic
    Mar 29, 2012
    10
    Another perfect album from one of the greatest bands in the game right now. Without a doubt one of my favorite albums by then and among my favorite of all time. If you like any of the music these guys have made before, and certain after this album, you will enjoy this. Lyrical content is unparalleled, especially if you are in the proper frame of mind. Amazing vocal arrangements, upliftingAnother perfect album from one of the greatest bands in the game right now. Without a doubt one of my favorite albums by then and among my favorite of all time. If you like any of the music these guys have made before, and certain after this album, you will enjoy this. Lyrical content is unparalleled, especially if you are in the proper frame of mind. Amazing vocal arrangements, uplifting lyrical content, unique and fresh songwriting approach. Highest recommendation.… Expand
  6. j30
    Sep 22, 2011
    3
    Pretentious and chaotic noise. They have a ton of potential, but no pay-off on this record.
  7. Tubie
    Nov 2, 2010
    10
    All of their albums have their own unique sound, it takes a trained ear to notice these but once you do it's amazing how they can create this sound that is so particular to the album. I love this album and I use it to study a lot because I don't know why but the music makes me feel good.
  8. PatriceT
    Oct 15, 2008
    10
    This album is amazing. I'm amazed at how many emotions and feelings this album taps into. They have so much talent and while their music may take some getting used to, it's worth the reward.
  9. tonyR
    Dec 16, 2007
    10
    Wow.......Banshee beats is such a good little tune my question is how can you give it a one. "scared for where music is heading" HA go listen to Nickelback more thanks and I will say it you have very poor taste my friend, think before you speak.
  10. JMcC
    Nov 14, 2007
    10
    Amazing album!! One of the best of the decade, at first the catchy pop tunes of the first half stand-out and its hard to believe there could ever be anything to top it. But, with further listening the beauty of the second half of the album slowly seeps into your mind and you'll find yourself listening to Banshee Beat over and over again. Once fully understood, Feels plays out Amazing album!! One of the best of the decade, at first the catchy pop tunes of the first half stand-out and its hard to believe there could ever be anything to top it. But, with further listening the beauty of the second half of the album slowly seeps into your mind and you'll find yourself listening to Banshee Beat over and over again. Once fully understood, Feels plays out beautifully with every track contributing to the overall experience.… Expand
  11. JoeP
    Nov 11, 2007
    1
    This band makes me scared for where music is heading...
  12. JustinB.
    Sep 25, 2007
    9
    Writing a song like 'purple bottle' is reason enough to give this album a 9.
  13. ChrisJ.
    Sep 20, 2007
    10
    Simply amazing.
  14. EricC.
    Sep 14, 2007
    10
    Though Avey Tare and Panda Bear are the most prominent members, you can really notice the presence of Geographer and Deakin, the more "electronic" members. They were absent from Sung Tongs, and I can't help but love having them back. They add even more layers to the already thick sounds of Animal Collective. It's funny, though, how the album starts off. Did You See the Words Though Avey Tare and Panda Bear are the most prominent members, you can really notice the presence of Geographer and Deakin, the more "electronic" members. They were absent from Sung Tongs, and I can't help but love having them back. They add even more layers to the already thick sounds of Animal Collective. It's funny, though, how the album starts off. Did You See the Words sounds like a by-the-books indie song (though a spectacular one). Luckily, though, the album soon goes back to what gained AC such a devoted following. An easier listen than anything they ever made, though still obviously experimental, this cd gives proof as to why they are widely considered an elite indie band, up there with The Shins, Arcade Fire, and Spoon.… Expand
  15. HollisG.
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    While I miss the acoustic vibe on "Sung Tongs", I understand that AC is going for a different thing on this album, and judging it on its own merits, this is a pretty wild ride. While I haven't gotten to the point where I will really sit down and listen to all of "Daffy Duck" like some people on here, it's obvious to me that there is more to this album than just "Grass" & "Purple While I miss the acoustic vibe on "Sung Tongs", I understand that AC is going for a different thing on this album, and judging it on its own merits, this is a pretty wild ride. While I haven't gotten to the point where I will really sit down and listen to all of "Daffy Duck" like some people on here, it's obvious to me that there is more to this album than just "Grass" & "Purple Bottle" (both of which I love). When I saw AC in Tokyo this past March, "Banshee Beat" was the stand-out by far, and re-listening to the album opened my eyes again to the beauty of "the rest of the album", esp. "Loch Raven" & "Banshee Beat".… Expand
  16. Desmond
    Apr 19, 2007
    9
    A very odd and mysterious collection of songs. It is catchy yet distant. It is pop but with an ambient, dreamy feel to it. Definitely reccomended if you want to try some thing new.
  17. GuyH
    Apr 12, 2007
    8
    Solid album. For me the standout tracks are Banshee Beat, Loch Raven and Purple Bottle but most would seem to diagree on that!
  18. mk
    Mar 19, 2007
    9
    Did You See the Words, Grass, Purple Bottle, and Turn into Something are no doubt stand alone tracks, but songs like Flesh Canoe and Banshee Beat are the ones that will really send shivers down your spine. You have to listen the whole way through because context is everything. You'll even learn to love all seven and a half minutes of Daffy Duck. The album climaxes with Banshee Beat Did You See the Words, Grass, Purple Bottle, and Turn into Something are no doubt stand alone tracks, but songs like Flesh Canoe and Banshee Beat are the ones that will really send shivers down your spine. You have to listen the whole way through because context is everything. You'll even learn to love all seven and a half minutes of Daffy Duck. The album climaxes with Banshee Beat and the wait is worth it. Feels definitely shows improvements in cohesiveness and songwriting from Sung Tongs, but still has a few flaws. I can't help but miss the back and forth panning so perfectly done on tracks like Who Could Win a Rabbit. The barrage of sound, while beautiful and perfect at times, starts to get a little too muddy for me at moments. However, a nearly perfect album… Expand
  19. [Anonymous]
    Mar 4, 2007
    10
    Yes, there are three total standouts: Grass, Purple bottle, and Did You See The Words, but the whole album is great. Always interesting, and always completely engaging. I never thought I'd like Animal Collective, but this album sold me. Buy it, you won't regret it.
  20. bizmarke.
    Jan 25, 2007
    9
    Yay!
  21. Ben
    Oct 9, 2006
    9
    Fantastic album
  22. TimIsHott...andSpicey
    Aug 8, 2006
    6
    Feels isnt really all that good of an album. I would recommend downloading Did You See The Words, Grass, and The Purple Bottle. But otherwise Animal Collecitve has yet to put together a completely fufilling album. A 6.
  23. TonyF
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    great album, i like sung tongs more but this one's fantastic, every track has its own feel to it, and i love how the album was named feels and is all about romance.
  24. MirrorMoon
    Jun 21, 2006
    10
    This album really makes me feel feelings I have never felt before. No, it has not been done by mercury rev and the flaming lips before, this is more avant garde instrumentation and the lyrics differ extremely much. A modern day masterpiece.
  25. Matt
    May 24, 2006
    9
    It seems like they took us to grandma's house through the trippy woods on Sung Tongs, now they wanna float downstream to get back. Each song seems to flow on waves of reverb and gently strummed acoustic, not to mention the trademark animal mating calls and "wtf" noises that could be coming from anywhere. And of course you'll find yourself humming bits from it later on after its It seems like they took us to grandma's house through the trippy woods on Sung Tongs, now they wanna float downstream to get back. Each song seems to flow on waves of reverb and gently strummed acoustic, not to mention the trademark animal mating calls and "wtf" noises that could be coming from anywhere. And of course you'll find yourself humming bits from it later on after its over... and you'll never be sure why.… Expand
  26. disco13
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    i can't believe how many reviews make such a big deal about this album (or band) being so bizarre. it's not really that bizarre at all. I mean, i could see why someone weened on nothing but britney spears-ish pop would think that was overwhelmingly bizarre, but, otherwise, what do you expect from music that doesn't suck? i mean, okay, it's not safe and typical like i can't believe how many reviews make such a big deal about this album (or band) being so bizarre. it's not really that bizarre at all. I mean, i could see why someone weened on nothing but britney spears-ish pop would think that was overwhelmingly bizarre, but, otherwise, what do you expect from music that doesn't suck? i mean, okay, it's not safe and typical like decemberists and arcade fire, but whatever. i mean, shoot, you can sing-a-long to it--what more do you want? anyway, i can't properly describe how much of an affect this album and animal collective's music in general has had on me. this is seriously some of the best music i have ever heard. during the first couple months of listening to this album, i kept finding myself saying aloud while listening to it, almost involuntarily, "Goddamnit this is so @#$-ing good." jaw-droppingly beautiful harmonies, profoundly joyful and innocent, a radically new way of looking at the role of "melody" in pop, at times brimming with enthusiasm, at times deeply tender. there's so much here. and i'm not even sure this is their best album. i'm not sure it isn't either.… Expand
  27. JonasY
    Jan 16, 2006
    8
    This record sounds like christmas music made by psychotics. It is simultaniously horrifying and beautiful. For the vast majority of people it will be on par with torture; but a very, very select few will be able to savor this music like the nectar of the gods. Personally, I am blown away by the boldness of the AC's artistic vision, but sometimes I find the demands this music makes This record sounds like christmas music made by psychotics. It is simultaniously horrifying and beautiful. For the vast majority of people it will be on par with torture; but a very, very select few will be able to savor this music like the nectar of the gods. Personally, I am blown away by the boldness of the AC's artistic vision, but sometimes I find the demands this music makes too taxing.… Expand
  28. manos
    Jan 14, 2006
    9
    Pop music gets re-invented
  29. taphead
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    hey have you guys heard of this band animal collective? they're pretty good.
  30. PeteF
    Jan 10, 2006
    8
    This is my first encounter with Animal Collective and after a slow start i am getting to know the album quite well and i like what im hearing. Although the bizar sound does put off casual listeners it does have something captivating about it right from the start and draws you into another place for a while. This is useful because once there the melodies become oh so much clearer and This is my first encounter with Animal Collective and after a slow start i am getting to know the album quite well and i like what im hearing. Although the bizar sound does put off casual listeners it does have something captivating about it right from the start and draws you into another place for a while. This is useful because once there the melodies become oh so much clearer and beutiful. Im dropping two points because there are some less interesting songs on the album. Plus this album would be difficult to share with many people as the listener does require a very open mind to apreciate it.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Album of 2005
71
#71 Most Discussed Album of 2005
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. AllMusic
    80
    The group sounds freer than ever before, almost as though they've never bothered with rock in their lives, and have only happened upon a bare few LPs before beginning their recording career.
    Read full review
  2. Dusted Magazine
    60
    So refined at times it borders on the insipid.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Breathlessly giddy and shamelessly trippy. [21 Oct 2005, p.75]
See all critic reviews »