Fantastic album

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.

album of the year!

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

so pitifully average in every way. Mercury Rev and the Flaming Lips have done this kind of thing so many times before, it's kind of shocking that anyone finds it novel.

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

Claiming that the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev (might as well throw in Polyphonic Spree, Hopewell, Flotation Toy Warning, and a handful of others) have "done this" many times before is ridiculous. A.C. is in a world of their own and Feels deserves to be heard by anyone who wants to hear something different. That said, I haven't found the album as rewarding as sung tongs. "Did You See the Words," "Grass," and "The Purple Bottle" are the most accessible tracks and, like a previous reviewer, I would recommend starting there. Then, if you still desire to do so, move on from there. Most people won't give this album a chance, many will try and fail to fully appreciate it (myself included), and a handful will love it.… Expand

Pop music gets re-invented

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

Simply amazing.

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

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.

Amazing album

The best record this year , without a doubt!

A fantastic Album by one of the best groups out there today. They actually rock ono this one!

almost as good as sung tongs, but enjoyable for those who found that one too noisy.

Great album that will burrow its hooks into your head for weeks.

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

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

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

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.

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

Yay!

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.

Solid album. For me the standout tracks are Banshee Beat, Loch Raven and Purple Bottle but most would seem to diagree on that!

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.

Writing a song like 'purple bottle' is reason enough to give this album a 9.

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.

it's a dawn hot good album!

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!

Their best to date.

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

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.

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

Bullshit Music!!!

the best album of the year.

hey have you guys heard of this band animal collective? they're pretty good.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

With a handful of delectable tracks and slew of snoozers, this album does not hold up very well as a complete body. However, "Did You See the Words", "Grass", and "The Purple Bottle" will absolutely thrill you. I would definitely give this album a listen but certainly wouldn't purchase it without a taste test.

Loch Raven is worth the price. Equally as great as Sung Tongs.

This band makes me scared for where music is heading...

Pretentious and chaotic noise. They have a ton of potential, but no pay-off on this record.