Many have claimed that this is a more accessible transformation of Animal Collective's previous sound. If anyone, like me, has been waiting for comments like these to check the band out, think twice - this is still far from accessible. I'm sure it's great to previous fans of the band, but to me, it's only confounding and slightly boring (albeit with a few highlights).

This is still my favorite new album from this year. It's more accessible than any past Animal Collective release (other than Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished) because it has actual, discernible lyrics and melodies that can be uncovered without too much effort. This is partly due to fact that it only features 2 members of the Collective, Avey Tare and Panda Bear, who also seem to be its chief songwriters. The other two members, Geologist and Deaken, seem mainly responsible for piling on layers of noise that twist and distort the vocals into something almost unrecognizable, as they did on Here Comes the Indian. On this album, however, there are some actual songs, and they're generally pretty great. It's a warm, inviting record that will reward anyone looking for slightly warped, richly textured pop that's unlike anything else out there.… Expand

Yes, I enjoy music that is centered around the idea of music as an art, but no, I am not a big fan of this record. I agree with a review below that says "listen before you buy this." That is exaactly the way to sum this up. This record is defiantly original, but not my bag of tea.

Animal Collective have made a terrific album with 'Sung Tongs'. It definitely has hooks, but isn't for your average listener who would rather hear mundane sounds and predictability. In other words, this is a great record if you are open to original ways of exploring old ideas.

I'm giving it a six now, because I think the impact of the album still has to work on me I guess, dunno if it's going to be positive or negative, this record pushes you to listen to music in a whole new direction, it is certainly anti-conform in many ways, I just have to figure out if I like it or not after a few listens

This record haunts my dreams.

Amazing, the work is genius, the fresh sounds, that create this amazing atmosphere consume you. I drive around and look outside while I listen to this, and I feel like I'm hovering with invisibility and nobody can see me, because it's like a movie. It's a certain a psychedelic high, it's dazzling. This is like nothing I've ever heard, even compared to the pervious "Here Comes The Indian", there's something in "Sung Tongs" the makes you feel more uplifted, and cheerful. I love this Album. … Expand

Could be the best album of the year. Even the seemingly less focused parts deserve praise upon repeated listenings. FYI - they have an incredible live show you gotta see!

If you don't own this album, yr nothin'. Plain + simple.

I give it a 10 based solely in relation to other 2004 releases. This is the album of the year, for sure.

bought it based on all the great reviews. there are a few songs that are very enjoyable. but much of the disc is just meandering noise. listen before you buy

genius

At first, the weirdness of this album made me not like it, but something about this album makes me want to listen to it over and over. I can't have it out of my CD player for more than a day before the urge to listen to it comes again. Very innovative music. It's a cross between folk, indie, electronic with a definite flare for the unusual...

The thing is, if 'Who could win a rabbit' was played on the streets just once a day, there would be world peace and eternal love and happiness. I fully believe there is life here that is essential to all of us

best thing i've stumbled upon in a while.....

I absolutely despise these two and everything they stand for. Pretentious art creeps. Go do your heroin away from my eardrums.

"keep your heroin away from my eardrums". Yeah. 10.

Leaf House may be the best song ever written. Beside that this album evokes all that I love from music. Wholly unique and completely infactuating.

I just have to say that I sincerely love ALL 12 minutes of "Visiting Friends." With headphones on, it gives me the chills...yes, for 12 minutes. I do think the last three songs fail to quite match up to the rest of the album, but this is a winner for sure. One of the best of 2004, without a doubt.

In the age of MP3s and playlists, I feel it is justifiable to rate an album based only on its good tracks. Buy the album. Immediately delete tracks 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12. You are left with the best, most fun, and certainly the most innovative 6 songs released in 2004.

the entire planet, from time to time, is wrong.

Besides novelty and strangeness, I don't anything redeemable here. A lack of melody and music; the instrumental playing is weak and unimaginative. Maybe I don't do enough drugs. Try Akron/Family for a talented version.

i played some of this to a kid i know that has autism/slight schizophrenic - i didnt even realize he was listening to it... and after the end of the one of the songs he startled me (not even knowing he was in the room) by saying, "this is some special stuff, i dont know what it is, but its too special for me." I'll never forget that and it makes me think about the underlying chaos and insanity underneath every obscured pop hook and the coos and yelps of wood sprites dancing deep in the forest, just barely audible.… Expand

my favorite collective album, blew me away when i first heard it and still gets me going whenever I put it on. It's truly unique and a step forward for music experimentation.

To give this record a 2 shows utter contempt for good music. Not as good as Feels, but still an incredible, life-affirming record. Go get it.

Starts out great, but the second half kind of loses it, with the exception of "We Tigers". Still a great album, but get Feels. It's much better.

To me, a record that can create the most charming atmospheres you can dream, natural and post modern, everything. It's wonderful.

More accessible than their earlier stuff, not so much as Feels, which is why a lot of people prefer that album. But it further cements Animal Collective as the most talented and fun experimental band around. It can be hard to listen to at times, but hearing every trick Avey and Panda have up their sleeves is wild. The low scores show why they can't become very mainstream, but anyone who gives them the time to fully digest each song will become a diehard fan.… Expand

This band goes from one end of the spectrum to other all within one album.