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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
God Smack Joe, October 2, 2007
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.
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is Another Animal's 
