After that, we get "Bees," and if there is going to be a critical divide on this record its gonna start here. Thankfully, "Bees" is a beautifully composed and gorgeous song that elicits just the right mood for the transition to the second half of the album - and if any "blogger" tells you different, tell him to learn how to play lacrosse. Plus, you get "Banshee Beat" on the back of it, an 8-minute-plus juggernaut that those who claim Campfire Songs as the New Testament will treat like the effing Second Coming - and more power to them. This is a song that conflates the hallmark whimsy of AC with a confidence that says:"Ignore this band at your own risk, indie snob." Whereas earlier examples of long form AC were sonic experiments with delightful surprises, "Banshee Beat" is fully-formed.
Animal Collective simply will not let up, and the nearly 8-minute "Daffy Duck" follows hard upon "Banshee," but who really cares at this point? This is already your new favorite album, and like an old friend arriving unexpectedly, you're just happy that "Daffy" has all the requisite wavering guitar and ghostly/sexy vocal delivery to make your cramped squat feel like home all over again. Even if you wake up the next morning with a splitting headache and an emptiness inside that you will never fill, you can always put "Loch Raven" on your iPod as you walk alone in the bitter cold and you won't feel very lonely at all. Life is full of possibilities, but there are suicidal rickshaw drivers around every corner. If one happens to collide with you, just pray they're blasting "Turn Into Something" - in all of its ramshackle, optimistic glory - out of their pawn shop boombox so the last words you hear are "Yes, you'll turn into something" as the blood spewing forth from your headwound mixes with the crisp autumn air and eclipses that nagging sliver of a moon. Feels indeed.
Ed/Pub:LisaM
Article comments
1 - The Theory
thanks for reviewing this. i enjoy the the album, though it's not among my favorites for the year. But bands like the Animal Collective need more exposure.
2 - Michael J. West
I, on the other hand, think it might BE the best album of this year.
3 - Matt
Welcome to Blogcritics, Max!! Great review. I'm lookimg forward to hearing the album, based on your review. Its currently the No. 1 selling indie album at Insound, so apparently the indie crowd is catching on.
Matt
4 - Sam Jack
I thought 'Purple Bottle' was excellent. I really enjoyed the album, and intend to check out some of their earlier work.
5 - Michael J. West
You might be surprised by some of their earlier work, Sam Jack. It's nowhere near as consistent as Feels...some of it I'd even describe as pockets of brilliance in a long expanse of unlistenability.
6 - Yashin
I'm buying this, and it's almost entirely down to this review. Cheers!
7 - Magyar Medve
I disagree about Animal Collective needing more exposure. There is an extremely small percentage of artists that make music as good as they did before they got the exposure. Not many, I say. The only reason I can think of that one would want AC to have more exposure is for one to have the appearance of being on the cut(ting edge) with an "in" taste of music. I think we should all be happy to have discovered a rare talent and let their path to "exposure" run its course. i.e. Don't force people to listen to it... let them ask you what it is when you happen to be playing it. Take this as just my opinion. Thanks.
8 - Martin
This is such a great album. I FEELS orry for everyone that haven't listened to this. So if you haven't, do it. Your life might change...