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Editorial Reviews
Alejandro Escovedo's 9th solo album, produced by Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T.Rex, Thin Lizzy), Real Animal is a collective journey through Escovedo's various musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets and it is as introspective as it is retrospective. This album features a band of frequent collaborators, including David Pulkingham (guitar), Josh Gravelin (bass), Hector Munoz (drums), Susan Voelz (violin), Brian Standefer (cello) and Chuck Prophet (guitar). The 13 original tracks unravel Escovedo's musical autobiography while presenting him as a masterful American musician, whose palette encompasses eloquent string quintets and shattering blasts of punk rock.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Lil Mike
Format:MP3 Music
Escovedo has collaborated with longtime pal Chuck Prophet on the songs here, and come up with a career defining, if not quite desperately divine little record. Here's one that tells the tales, names the names, uplifts, crushes, teases & challenges the listener and simply rocks it's delightful & bedraggled heart out when appropriate.
Chronicling his life as a journeyman in the underground music world, this record is an audio companion to Escovedo's near death experience with Hepatitis C and his phoenix like resurrection to find respect and admiration from his rock n roll idols who've since become peers and friends ( guys like Bruce Springsteen and Ian Hunter). From his formative day's as a young punk at The Golden Bear club in Southern California, to staying alongside Sid & Nancy at the Chelsea Hotel, to his decades of raw road dogging around the world, all the road miles are documented.
Whether you are new to his saga, or recall the down and dirty days with The Nuns or Rank & File with Chip & Tony Kinman of the Dils, there's something for you here. It's a real animal of a rock n roll record in an "American Idle" mall mouse music world that may not realize what that means. Why wait for marching orders from the radio or Paula Abdul and her idiot buddies, just get it and hear for yourself these sad but True Believer stories that are simply something anyone should be able to appreciate.
Former Bowie and T-Rex producer Tony Visconti has called it one of the best thing's he's twiddled the knobs on in years, and I'd simply have to agree. If you are not up for the whole thousand mile musical journey with all it's slow side streets and speed bumps, at the very least download the awe inspiring opening cut "Always A Friend", and treat yourself to a rollicking retro-tastic rave up of a road ready tune.
psst: If ya like that one, and are in a hurry, and wanna skip the beatific balladry, here's a couple of the other ripping rockers worth checking out "9. Real As An Animal" "12. Chip N Tony"
Chronicling his life as a journeyman in the underground music world, this record is an audio companion to Escovedo's near death experience with Hepatitis C and his phoenix like resurrection to find respect and admiration from his rock n roll idols who've since become peers and friends ( guys like Bruce Springsteen and Ian Hunter). From his formative day's as a young punk at The Golden Bear club in Southern California, to staying alongside Sid & Nancy at the Chelsea Hotel, to his decades of raw road dogging around the world, all the road miles are documented.
Whether you are new to his saga, or recall the down and dirty days with The Nuns or Rank & File with Chip & Tony Kinman of the Dils, there's something for you here. It's a real animal of a rock n roll record in an "American Idle" mall mouse music world that may not realize what that means. Why wait for marching orders from the radio or Paula Abdul and her idiot buddies, just get it and hear for yourself these sad but True Believer stories that are simply something anyone should be able to appreciate.
Former Bowie and T-Rex producer Tony Visconti has called it one of the best thing's he's twiddled the knobs on in years, and I'd simply have to agree. If you are not up for the whole thousand mile musical journey with all it's slow side streets and speed bumps, at the very least download the awe inspiring opening cut "Always A Friend", and treat yourself to a rollicking retro-tastic rave up of a road ready tune.
psst: If ya like that one, and are in a hurry, and wanna skip the beatific balladry, here's a couple of the other ripping rockers worth checking out "9. Real As An Animal" "12. Chip N Tony"
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By J. Niss
Format:Audio CD
i'm stunned at how strong this album is.
Who would've thought that Alejandro's writing would continue to get even better? And the band(one of the finest live bands you'll ever hear) is in full bloom here, powerful and surprising in each cut - this sucker is as good as it gets, no exageration.
it's a bargain at any price, and at $9.99 here and at newbury comix this has got to be the greatest buy out there.
Hector outdoes himself throughout, btw.
as much as i love his other albums, this is the 1st studio work that hit me as immediate and as powerful as a live Alejandro show does (i've been to more than 20 since his 1st solo release).
alex, if you read this, way to go from the guy with the wood headphones.
*********************************************************
Stop the presses!!! er, i guess I should say say CONTINUE them... the track listing is expanded on the lp version - by one more new song and 1 great cover (just be surprised, now) and it makes this absolutely great rock album even greater.
also as it should be the analog is even better sounding, and the pressing is super quiet (AND cost under 20 bucks - vs the 20 to 40 plus usd for most of the "audiophile" pressings being made today (many of which are not so quiet at all).
hard to imagine that this is "better", as it's already an immediate must have for anybody who digs the stones or the velvet underground/Lou Reed/john cale or bowie or ian hunter/mott or patti smith/lenny kaye or neil young/buffalo springfield and i really ought to add any and all garage rock.
go ahead and add to this list the best of the best by every essential rock band, from clash to brian wilson. no, wait, make it every ELEMENTAL rock band - because Alejandro's stuff is SO good that it creates new space in the musical universe where none existed before.
btw , his music often transcends genre, though this is most definately a rocker.
He's been this good really since the 1st solo album and certainly from his album "13 years" on theirs been no one building as important a new rock catalogue as Alexandro Escovedo.
But if you've got the turntable get this on lp (too). if not, get a turntable and then get it on lp. if not, get over it!
Who would've thought that Alejandro's writing would continue to get even better? And the band(one of the finest live bands you'll ever hear) is in full bloom here, powerful and surprising in each cut - this sucker is as good as it gets, no exageration.
it's a bargain at any price, and at $9.99 here and at newbury comix this has got to be the greatest buy out there.
Hector outdoes himself throughout, btw.
as much as i love his other albums, this is the 1st studio work that hit me as immediate and as powerful as a live Alejandro show does (i've been to more than 20 since his 1st solo release).
alex, if you read this, way to go from the guy with the wood headphones.
*********************************************************
Stop the presses!!! er, i guess I should say say CONTINUE them... the track listing is expanded on the lp version - by one more new song and 1 great cover (just be surprised, now) and it makes this absolutely great rock album even greater.
also as it should be the analog is even better sounding, and the pressing is super quiet (AND cost under 20 bucks - vs the 20 to 40 plus usd for most of the "audiophile" pressings being made today (many of which are not so quiet at all).
hard to imagine that this is "better", as it's already an immediate must have for anybody who digs the stones or the velvet underground/Lou Reed/john cale or bowie or ian hunter/mott or patti smith/lenny kaye or neil young/buffalo springfield and i really ought to add any and all garage rock.
go ahead and add to this list the best of the best by every essential rock band, from clash to brian wilson. no, wait, make it every ELEMENTAL rock band - because Alejandro's stuff is SO good that it creates new space in the musical universe where none existed before.
btw , his music often transcends genre, though this is most definately a rocker.
He's been this good really since the 1st solo album and certainly from his album "13 years" on theirs been no one building as important a new rock catalogue as Alexandro Escovedo.
But if you've got the turntable get this on lp (too). if not, get a turntable and then get it on lp. if not, get over it!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Eva
Format:Audio CD
Just when you think Alejandro's albums can not get any better! Real Animal is great, great, great. If you ever have a chance to see Alejandro alive, go for it. Go out of your way to see him and the band, it is very unique experience - and different each time! Oh - and to see/hear him "unplugged" in smaller surroundings - wow, BREATHLESS!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bit late to a great party
I had never heard of Alejandro Escovedo until I came across a clip of "Always a Friend" in the Wall Street Journal few weeks ago and really liked the sound of it. Read more
Published on August 15, 2010 by T. Casey
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best in 2008
Alejandro Escovedo's ninth studio album "Real Animal" is his hardest rocking effort to date. Ex-Nun,
Rank And File and True Believers guitar player has come up with a gem of... Read more
Rank And File and True Believers guitar player has come up with a gem of... Read more
Published on July 17, 2010 by ScottE
4.0 out of 5 stars
VOICE OF A DEAD GUY back among the living
Other than "An Introduction" a fine compilation, this is the first cd of A.E. I have heard. I did see his appearance on "Austin City Limits. Read more
Published on June 1, 2009 by Jonathan C. Collins
4.0 out of 5 stars
Must have for any rocker
On this album, you'll find the best track Bruce Springsteen and The Clash didn't write together but which is still very much Escovedo's own. It is the first track of the album. Read more
Published on February 4, 2009 by Stan FREDO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alejandro in excellent shape
Very satisfied with my purchase. The album was exactly as described. I saved money!
Published on November 29, 2008 by D. Hite
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great music but...
Has anyone noticed the really long 'dead air' at the end of some songs? I'm talking up to 20-30 seconds or more. On songs including Smoke, Chip n Tony, Nun's Song (more?).
Published on November 13, 2008 by Kurt C. Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: Can Be Addictive
I am possibly the last person in the world to find out about Alejandro! I never watch Tonight Show, but flicking thru channels, there he was, singing "Sister Lost Soul. Read more
Published on October 14, 2008 by Wildthing
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alejandro Escovedo' "Real Animal"
I usuaully pride myself on being somewhat of an audiophile, particularly when it comes to music from the punk and post punk era of 1975-1984. Read more
Published on September 17, 2008 by David Gonet
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay
Good, but not in the league of "Man Under the Influence" or "The Boxing Mirror". I saw him this weekend in San Francisco and he was good (I wish he would have played a few older... Read more
Published on September 13, 2008 by R. Hansen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alejandro Escovedo - Real Animal
Real Animal (2008, Black Porch/Manhattan) Alejandro Escovedo's ninth studio album. ****
Alejandro Escovedo has a family tree rooted (no pun intended) in music, and while... Read more
Alejandro Escovedo has a family tree rooted (no pun intended) in music, and while... Read more
Published on September 5, 2008 by S. D. Mason
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