Post by Kevin on Sept 22, 2003 16:10:39 GMT -5
Automatic Animal – S/T
Review by: Kevin McHugh (StonerRock.com)
Self-Released
Release date: Available Now
Santa Cruz, CA’s Automatic Animal walks a fine line between underground, proggish metal and radio-friendly hard rock, shifting back and forth like a lizard on hot quicksand. As one of stoner/doom’s undercurrents surfaces in a tendency towards classic or arena rock, Automatic Animal ride the razor’s edge with their own unique take, incorporating their own blend of tasty sounds.
First of all, this is a band that appreciates quality sound. If you don’t believe me, check out the banks of tubes on the bank cover and their props to Mesa Boogie. The soothing sounds of King Tone will thunder out of your speakers, let me tell you. The Animal reminds me of nothing so much as a mettalicized Rush with Dave Wyndorf on vox, thus underlying their governing stylistic elements as the more “out there” mainstream radio bands combined with the more “accessible” underground groups. The time n’ tempo changes, shifting structures, and lyrics concerning “crowning of kings” and “kingdoms of the blind” sound welcoming to any fan of Rush, past or present. But edgier, doncha know. Tool isn’t too far off as well, and you wouldn’t be totally retarded if you thought you heard dashes of The Melvins, QOTSA, and early Sub-Pop stomp flavoring the works as well.
The FM Friendlies emerge most notably in the acoustic interludes and in the Big Sound to be found throughout the disc. This is not abrasive music by any means. Your mileage may vary on this issue; personally, I like it better with each listen.
www.automaticanimal.net
Review by: Kevin McHugh (StonerRock.com)
Self-Released
Release date: Available Now
Santa Cruz, CA’s Automatic Animal walks a fine line between underground, proggish metal and radio-friendly hard rock, shifting back and forth like a lizard on hot quicksand. As one of stoner/doom’s undercurrents surfaces in a tendency towards classic or arena rock, Automatic Animal ride the razor’s edge with their own unique take, incorporating their own blend of tasty sounds.
First of all, this is a band that appreciates quality sound. If you don’t believe me, check out the banks of tubes on the bank cover and their props to Mesa Boogie. The soothing sounds of King Tone will thunder out of your speakers, let me tell you. The Animal reminds me of nothing so much as a mettalicized Rush with Dave Wyndorf on vox, thus underlying their governing stylistic elements as the more “out there” mainstream radio bands combined with the more “accessible” underground groups. The time n’ tempo changes, shifting structures, and lyrics concerning “crowning of kings” and “kingdoms of the blind” sound welcoming to any fan of Rush, past or present. But edgier, doncha know. Tool isn’t too far off as well, and you wouldn’t be totally retarded if you thought you heard dashes of The Melvins, QOTSA, and early Sub-Pop stomp flavoring the works as well.
The FM Friendlies emerge most notably in the acoustic interludes and in the Big Sound to be found throughout the disc. This is not abrasive music by any means. Your mileage may vary on this issue; personally, I like it better with each listen.
www.automaticanimal.net