Customer Reviews

Ark

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Ark is the 2nd Animals reunion album. The critics tore it apart when it first came out, but then this was 1983 and to be a music critic in the 80's means that you had to have bad taste in music.But, seriously the reason that the critics didn't like it was that it was a polished effort, and the Animals didn't build their reputation on over-produced music.But, the Animals were 20 years older than they were in the 60's, they matured, and so did their sound. This doesn't mead to say it lounge music, 'cuz it sure-as-hell ain't!This is loud and raw music with strong, strong hooks that just happens to be cleanly produced by a band that made it's reputation on reckless abandon.If you at all liked any of the Animals stuff, you should love this effort. Every song has strong melodies and Burdon's vocals, especially on "Trying To Get To You" are as Raw and Vicious as he was when he was a kid.

The original Animals had all the commercial appeal of the British Invasion groups of 1964-5 and all the musical integrity of the bands who were still around by 1966-7. Eric Burdon eventually split and even though he could drink as much as Keith Richards on stage, he eventually went farther and farther out into the universe until he was just a fading star. Alan Price did his own thing and Chas of course had his own Experience. The boys reunited twice: in the late 70's and this early 80's set. The big difference is that the original band supported this album with a tour and a lot of these tunes were live numbers. And they rocked. As much as I like the early Animals, the Eric Burdon solo stuff, and the Alan Price material, this to me is just a great set, and it could be argued is the best album that the band put together. Burdon is in great voice, and when Chas and Alan sing background, it's the sound that made the world pick up its ears in the early 60's. The recording is clean, the band and back-up musicians are top rate, and the material--including the bonus flip side--is just brilliant. So glad to see this available, and you should give it a listen.

Decent 1983 reunion comeback effort.I remember when this album first came out.The critics hated it but many fans(like myself)thought it was okay.If anything,the long-running British blues rock five piece band's sound was more mature than their '60's material.Some of the tunes I liked were "The Night"(still see the video on VH1 Classic upon occasion),"Love Is For All Time","Hard Times" and "Crystal Nights".Enjoy because I seriously doubt they'll ever reunite again.

In 1983, the original members of The Animals once again started rattling their instruments, and they finally reunited after experiencing some convincing Eric Burdon it was a good idea. To this day Eric Burdon still hates this reunion and regrets that he came along in the first place.

Well, I can't say that I agree with him here! The album is really good, especially what was the first side of the LP (the first 6 songs). Prisoner of the Light is an outstanding piece with its mystical, dark arrangements and lyrics, and I still concider it being one of Erics' finest songs. When this album came out, for some reason it was detestined by every critic it came along - a big mistake I still can't figure out. OK, The Animals were not great musicians at this point (except for Alan Price and Eric Burdon), but they were helped along by Steve Grant, Nippy Noya, Zoot Money and a sax-player I can't remember the name of... Apart from one or two bummers like Just Can't Get Enough and Wanna Get Back To You this album is a great piece of music. The songs are a bit dark and quite harsh, and not at all like the stuff they did in the 60's, but they still sound good. Buy it!

The excellent concert, rare disk, listened and enjoyed a blues rock of the seventieth from remarkable group. Very much I recommend to judges and fans.

Great CD. When it came out, it was rated "party ablum of the year" by Playboy. Heavy orchestrations, good music. Any Animals fan will love it - It was also their last studio album as a group.

1983 - I.R.S. Records
Features : Eric Burdon / Chas Chandler / Alan Price / John Steele / Hilton Valentine
Songs Include :

Loose Change
Love Is For All Time
My Favorite Enemy
Prisoner Of The Light
Being There
Hard Times
The Night
Trying To Get To You
Just Can't Get Enough
Melt Down
Gotta Get Back To You
Crystal Nights

The Animals gave it a second and third time around and this (the third time around) was just a great album--they even supported it with a tour of the original members (plus some backing musicians including Zoot Money). It's just high energy all the time. One of the great albums of all time, artfully produced, great mature musicianship by all.

I remember grooving to ths album on vinyl many years ago.Great to see it is now available on cd !Buy it !You will not be disappointed!!!

I have been looking for this CD for 10 years, and what do you know i found it here at amazon.com you guys are the best