Tangerine Reef
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Aug 17, 2018
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
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  1. Under The Radar
    Aug 30, 2018
    60
    It doesn't quite get there, though when much of the noise drops away, leaving only a couple of pure notes, "Best of Times (Worst of All)" comes awfully close.
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 28, 2018
    60
    How much you enjoy it will depend on how you feel about largely structureless sonics, but if you just submerge yourself into it, there's plenty to discover. [Oct 2018, p.108]
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  3. Clash Music
    Aug 27, 2018
    60
    This might not be as immediate and catchy as previous Animal Collective releases, possibly due to Panda Bear’s absence, but its one of their most transfixing and beguiling.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 17, 2018
    60
    I have no doubt that Tangerine Reef will be a remarkable experience when paired with its visual stimuli, but without it, it is an album hard to recommend.
  6. Exclaim
    Aug 16, 2018
    60
    For fans of Animal Collective's trippier inclinations, Tangerine Reef is a pleasant bit of oceanic escapism. For new listeners or anyone looking for the next "My Girls," this is decidedly inessential.
  7. The 405
    Aug 21, 2018
    50
    While Tangerine Reef inspires as a pseudo-political statement regarding the deteriorating environment at the hands of mankind, Animal Collective ultimately disappoints with this record--it’s yet another forgettable checkpoint within the band’s recent run.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Aug 17, 2018
    50
    The record captures all the noodling self-indulgence that makes the psych-poppers such a maddeningly inconsistent live act. But Tangerine Reef is an incomplete object in this form: It’s accompaniment, not feature presentation, the drowsy soundtrack to the iridescent undersea visuals of Australian filmmakers Coral Morphologic.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 20, 2018
    40
    AC plumb depths of paucity more than subtlety in this wilfully desolate expanse of dispassionate vocals and vague, awkward ambience.
  10. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 16, 2018
    40
    Tangerine Reef gives a musical voice to these alien coral creatures and their aquatic world. If only it were a more mellifluous voice.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. wowee
    Aug 24, 2018
    10
    The album has a great atmosphere but it's not an album that everybody canThe album has a great atmosphere but it's not an album that everybody can listen...........................................................................................................................................................… Full Review »
  2. PaleEyedFever
    Mar 19, 2021
    9
    Heavily underappreciated album. Don't expect another Merriweather Post Pavilion, but do expect to be challenged and forced through anHeavily underappreciated album. Don't expect another Merriweather Post Pavilion, but do expect to be challenged and forced through an introspective analysis of your own psyche.… Full Review »
  3. deadbank
    Mar 6, 2019
    8
    Even without the visuals to accompany this album, this album is great. It is absolutely jam packed with some of the most soothing sounds inEven without the visuals to accompany this album, this album is great. It is absolutely jam packed with some of the most soothing sounds in AC's discography. At times, especially in the second half I feel, Avey Tare's voice can get a bit annoying and tends to draw away from what's going on in the rest of the album. Despite this, AC once again managed to put me in a magical trance for about an hour.… Full Review »
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