Another Animal

Another Animal | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal Republic
• ASIN: B000VDDCHY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,224 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God Smack Joe, October 2, 2007

By 

A. Estes (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another Animal (Audio CD)

If the band's name -- Another Animal -- and the pyschedelic imagery gracing the album's cover weren't any indication, let it be known that this Godsmack-side-project is of a totally different nature and style than that of it's more iconic predecessor. Now, whether or not Another Animal succeed at distancing themselves is a different story, the fact remains that this will be an interesting listen for anyone who has grown accustomed to the Godsmack sound.

Pulled from shelved material from the "IV" recording sessions, Godsmack members Tony Rombola, Robbie Merrill and Shannon Larkin teamed up with Lee Richards (ex-Dropbox) and former Ugly Kid Joe/Medication frontman Whitfield Crane to record their self-titled debut over a year ago. Described by the band themselves as music that didn't fit into the Godsmack canon, it's fitting that they chose such a unique voice as Crane's to front the band. Surely, his signature style is of a much different nature than Sully Erna's, and at times where the band churns out some "Awake"-era 'Smack, he manages to spin the music around in a different direction. It's a voice that takes some getting used to, but after 2 or 3 full listens, you couldn't imagine anyone else singing these songs. "Broken Again" and "The Beast Within" are the kind of songs that sound tailor-made for modern-rock radio success, but elsewhere the band takes some unexpected turns. "Black Coffee Blues" comes in as the biggest shocker, a solid blues based track that is likely to win over any listener. Elsewhere, the punkish "Distant Signs" is more fitting with Larkin & Crane's musical past, while "Left Behind" and "Fade Away" are the obligatory but still solid ballads.

To be fair, this isn't a perfect album. The biggest problem is the mixing, as done by Dave Fortman (Evanescence, Mudvayne). Quite honestly, it makes the band sound generic, with Larkin's drum-parts toned down and the dual guitars hardly distinguishable from one another. Truly a case of an otherwise solid album being ruined by too much studio trickery. Also, it gets a bit repetitive from time to time, but what else would you expect from the men who brought you Godsmack? Fans of that band should definitely give this a fair listen though, because there are a few gems to be found. Heck, if you just enjoy turning on the radio and digging some guilt-free, easy to digest hard rock, Another Animal will fully satisfy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Impressed, November 4, 2007

By 

Charles Achord "Squid" (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Another Animal (Audio CD)

I was always an Ugly Kid Joe fan way before Godsmack came along, so when my friend told me about this collaboration I had to buy it.

To me, it rocks on most songs. There is one token song, that is still growing on me. I don't want to name it, but I think many of you will agree it seems (at first) to not belong on the CD.

I am just baffled how anyone might not wanna roll down the highway rocking out to this album.

I say buy and you will love it.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Combination of Godsmack and Dropbox, January 9, 2012

By 

Arrogance Breeds in Isolation - See all my reviews

This review is from: Another Animal (Audio CD)

But unfortunately, only about half of these tracks leave a mark. There's the psuedo-brooding "Broken Again," replete with watery guitar lines and great hooks. The "Interlude" is a nice break from the noisy, sludgy guitars that surround it. Otherwise, "The Beast Within" creates a memorable atmosphere, "The Thin Line" is almost punk-rockish, "Black Coffee Blues" conjures up the stoner boogie of Monster Magnet in the best possible way and "Fade Away" is a gorgeous, acoustic-based lamentation on our place in the world. As for the other six tracks, they sound like B-sides of the two bands in the title of this review, which means they are competent efforts reminiscent of more talented bands. Overall, an enjoyable listen.