Animal Collective - Feels
Released Oct. 18
on Fat Cat
Feels finds core Animal Collective members Avey Tare and Panda Bear reunited with Geologist and Deakin, both decidedly absent from 2004’s Sung Tongs. And yes, those are the names they go by. They’ve also been known to perform in animal costumes and masks.
This may all sound like the formula for a throwaway novelty act, but don’t shy away just yet. The music is often just as weird but not without direction or attention to detail.
Geologist explained the group’s antics in a recent interview:
Over the years we’ve done a little dress-up and make-up. It’s sort of about just having fun and a loss of ego. It’s not something we take too seriously, though.Instead, the Collective focuses on sonic explorations. Slow-strummed guitars and cascading piano lay atop primal drum beats. Found sounds and electronic drones add to the atmosphere. Often-indistinct lyrics and wordless, memorable vocal harmonies soar atop it all.
Of course, not everyone will “get” it. Slant Magazine seems rather unimpressed. Yet last week the group was SPIN.com’s band of the day, and Feels was Stylus Magazine’s album of the week.
You may just find it strangely brilliant.