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. 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.
  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. 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
  5. 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.
  6. AndyJ
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    album of the year!
  7. daxr
    Oct 18, 2005
    8
    in some ways this album is so accessible that it's sort of jarring. it's a very different record from sung tongs, but not entirely different. in its sound it's closer to pre-sung tongs A.C., but it's more cohesive than those albums. it's more of a step forward than a fusion of past sounds that the collective have created. which is decidedly good. the melodies here in some ways this album is so accessible that it's sort of jarring. it's a very different record from sung tongs, but not entirely different. in its sound it's closer to pre-sung tongs A.C., but it's more cohesive than those albums. it's more of a step forward than a fusion of past sounds that the collective have created. which is decidedly good. the melodies here are the kind that don't really bother getting in your head right away. the just grab onto you and eventually drill their way in.… Expand
  8. Gman
    Oct 21, 2005
    9
    Animal Collective are without as important now as bands like My Bloody valentine and Can were in their day. Although they sometimes get lumped together with other acts such as the new folk artists like Devendra Banhart or fellow New York experimentalists Black Dice and Gang Gang Dance, Animal Collective are far too innovative to be contained in any little box. Each album they've made Animal Collective are without as important now as bands like My Bloody valentine and Can were in their day. Although they sometimes get lumped together with other acts such as the new folk artists like Devendra Banhart or fellow New York experimentalists Black Dice and Gang Gang Dance, Animal Collective are far too innovative to be contained in any little box. Each album they've made has been unique and despite drawing on the past (folk, Beach Boys, Tyrannosurus Rex, early Mercury Rev) they sound unlike anything that has gone before and their use of electronics and production has more in common with cutting edge electronic artists like Christian Fennesz than anything in the 'rock' genre. The presence of extra members Deaken and Geologist has meant that Feels has a meatier, less accoustic feel than Sung Tongs (although calling that album accoustic is about as daft as calling Four Tet accoustic). Although some of the more quirky 'sing-a-long' tracks maintain elements of that album's Dionysian folk vibe, as the album progresses and becomes more blissed out, it has moments that are reminiscent of AR Kane's classic '69' album. An astonishing record from an astonishing band. Anyone who doesn't recognise their genius really should bother listening to music because they clearly have no idea whotsoever what makes music great.… Expand
  9. manos
    Jan 14, 2006
    9
    Pop music gets re-invented
  10. 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
  11. Henry
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    Every album this band makes is amazing. Saying that is almost unecessary. What makes this one so great is that once again they are going in a new direction, while still keeping aspects of their sound that make them truly unique. The chanting and pounding rythym of Here Comes the Indian is still here, as is the drifting almost ambient middle section of Sung Tongs. Feels puts all of this Every album this band makes is amazing. Saying that is almost unecessary. What makes this one so great is that once again they are going in a new direction, while still keeping aspects of their sound that make them truly unique. The chanting and pounding rythym of Here Comes the Indian is still here, as is the drifting almost ambient middle section of Sung Tongs. Feels puts all of this together wonderfully and adds upbeat and impressively written rock music to the mix. A perfect album.… Expand
  12. Charles
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    This is the best cd to come out this year ahead of CYHSY and Sufjan. This is probably their most accessible cd (not saying much) and they sound more like Spirit Theyve Vanished than Sung Tongs but with tighter songs. The Purple Bottle is the best song all year and Banshee Beat is up there as well. Great Cd.
  13. erict
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    Amazing album
  14. biggendoggen
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    The best record this year , without a doubt!
  15. BenU
    Dec 21, 2005
    9
    A fantastic Album by one of the best groups out there today. They actually rock ono this one!
  16. ugabooga
    Dec 27, 2005
    10
    almost as good as sung tongs, but enjoyable for those who found that one too noisy.
  17. BenG
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    Great album that will burrow its hooks into your head for weeks.
  18. 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
  19. FletcherB
    Jan 5, 2006
    10
    This, along with the EP, is the best collection of songs releasd all year. Hands down, the most innovative and awe inspiring artists of recent memory
  20. 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
  21. brenom
    Nov 12, 2005
    9
    it's a dawn hot good album!
  22. KierF
    Nov 26, 2005
    10
    This group has tapped into the collective unconsciousness of this American Society and bears the truth! God bless them, and I'm not even a Godhist!
  23. Nick
    Oct 17, 2005
    10
    Their best to date.
  24. MattP
    Oct 17, 2005
    10
    This is a perfect album. If you didn't like sung tongs you won't get it, but it's there, and perfect. All the songs, ranging from beautiful slow stoner-ish songs to super happy pop upbeat pop songs to cathartic, building rock songs are breathtaking. Every time I listen to it I find something new I like. It is concise, yet full of material of all kinds. The arrangement of This is a perfect album. If you didn't like sung tongs you won't get it, but it's there, and perfect. All the songs, ranging from beautiful slow stoner-ish songs to super happy pop upbeat pop songs to cathartic, building rock songs are breathtaking. Every time I listen to it I find something new I like. It is concise, yet full of material of all kinds. The arrangement of the songs, the order, is perfect, just like everything else about the album.… Expand
  25. JosephM
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    This is simply a stunning album. Some people will compare it to the Flaming Lips or Mercury Rev, but Animal Collective simply are more exciting at this point in there career then either of those bands are now. These songs are addictive and highly rewarding when given the chance. Animal Collective are full of creativity and I can't wait to hear what will be next. Highly Recommended.
  26. Aaron
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    What an amazing album. For Animal Collective, this is a pretty accessible disc. Although if you never liked this band before, I'm certain this won't make a convert of you. Having said that, those who found their adventurous music off putting may like this one. The songs here are just that, full fledged songs rather than soundscapes. But why bother describing this album, What an amazing album. For Animal Collective, this is a pretty accessible disc. Although if you never liked this band before, I'm certain this won't make a convert of you. Having said that, those who found their adventurous music off putting may like this one. The songs here are just that, full fledged songs rather than soundscapes. But why bother describing this album, it's fruitless. If you're a bit daring in your music tastes, I highly recommend this electrifying album.… Expand
  27. jj
    Dec 4, 2005
    10
    the best album of the year.
  28. taphead
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    hey have you guys heard of this band animal collective? they're pretty good.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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 »