ANThology

Alien Ant Farm

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: March 6, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreamworks
• ASIN: B00005A7TW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (194 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,244 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Five years before the release of ANThology, Alien Ant Farm befriended Papa Roach, then fellow strugglers on the California club circuit. And so AAF wound up signing to Papa Roach's New Noise Records. AAF have furthermore strengthened their Roach connection by employing Jay Baumgardner, producer of their benefactors' Infest, to lend sheen to the noise. The result doesn't show a tremendous range, but is generally excellent, with sweeping, soaring guitars ("Whisper," "Stranded") and shuddering riffs ("Wish"), putting one in mind of a less disturbing version of Alice in Chains. Standouts include the opener, "Courage," led by Mike Cosgrove's off-kilter clatter and Dryden Mitchell's winding lyrics; a chopping, pleading cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal"; and the revved up "Flesh and Bone." With the tense, Pearl Jam-like "Attitude," AAF attempt to change the mood and tempo, and one hopes they'll continue such sonic explorations. For now, ANThology is a palatable aperitif. --Dominic Wills

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the ants are marching..., July 8, 2001

By	J. Worden (Concord, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this cd after hearing their first single "Movies". Upon hearing the song the first time I thought the leader singer, Dryden Mitchell, sounded similar to Brandon Boyd of Incubus. It piqued my interest and I wanted to hear the rest of the cd to see if these guys were just some kind of Incubus spin-off, coming from Incubus's latest string of success. Well I was surprised to find that I was totally wrong in my assumption. When the cd opened up with the song "Courage" I was blown away. It started heavy with a guy screaming, then it slowed down when Dryden started singing. It was unexpected, it was great. Then i decided to look on the cover to find a song with an interesting name, that's when i saw "Smooth Criminal", and not realizing it was a Michael Jackson cover until later, I found I couldn't stop listening to the awesome and extremely catchy, guitar work and excellcent vocals. Next, I listened to "Death Day" it was a slower song with odd lyrics, but the vocals were strangely attracting and I found myself repeating the song over and over until finally I could sing along. After jumping around a bit I landed another couple of songs that I found were very appetizing with great vocals, drumming and guitar playing, these songs were "Flesh and Bone", "Whisper", and "Calico". "Summer" and "Sticks and Stones" are the two weaker tracks, but I can't help but keeping pace with the vocalist on these songs, as well. "Attitude" slows the album down a bit, but it has great vocals and drumming so it keeps up the quality of the cd. "Stranded" has strange lyrics but has moving guitar work to make it a memorable song. "Wish" pulls off some heavy riffs and stronger vocals to make it an amazing listen. To end the cd "Universe" slows down, but has great instrumental work and passionate vocals that make it another great listen for me. Be sure to wait a while after "Universe" to hear the hidden track its an interesting song, much different than any of the other tracks, very similar to slower Deftones tracks.

Excellent vocals, sometimes odd, punk-influenced lyrics and great instrumental work all around, make this a memorable cd that is hard to take of the cd player. And with their second single "Smooth Criminal" picking up steam this cd is sure to be a hot buy. If you like the Deftones or Incubus, than this cd is defintely recommended, if you don't, well, it's still recommended

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANThology is emotional, profound, and honest, February 19, 2001

By	David M. Garrison Jr. (Woodland, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hailing from Riverside, California, Alien Ant Farm has been on the premier edge of the California music scene since their formation in 1996. Winning "best album of 1999" at the LA Music Awards with their independent CD release "Greatest Hits", this dynamic foursome of musicians has enjoyed popular and critical successes since their conception.

The best way to describe Alien Ant Farm is to call them "musicians", because that is what they are; they are highly technical and poetic, every member adding significantly to each of ANThology's carefully constructed tracks. This is one of the most penetrating and honest releases by any band in a long time, and with ANThology this band meshes seamlessly together as it makes something that works profoundly on every level.

This album is Alien Ant Farm's first major label release, and will feature a collage of both old and new tracks, all representing the band at the top of their game. From `harder' tracks such as "Courage", "Sticks & Stones", and "Wish" to the spiritual "Flesh and Bone", to `lighter' tracks such as "Attitude" and "Happy Death Day", this album is laden with a continual demonstration of great musical talent and provides for a very solid and visceral listening experience. As a special treat, the song "Orange Appeal" is featured as a hidden track and showcases the band's stranger side.

ANThology has a much more refined and cleaner sound than the band's previous independent releases and should please both new and old fans alike. Alien Ant Farm adds a new dimension to the current breed of pop-rock clones that permeates so abundantly from today's popular music culture, and `ANThology' will be a welcome addition to anybody who is looking for a band that can take music and turn it into a resonating experience that hits the guttural chords of emotion and feeling, bringing the listener along with it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars maybe the best rock disk of the year, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

Alien Ant Farm is ready to explode on the music scene. much has been said about them being friends with Papa Roach and on their label, but they deserve to be famous for their music. I bought the cd when i had heard "Movies" on the radio. i saw it at fred meyer for 7.99 and figured what the heck. this cd is awesome. the more i listen to it, the better it gets. They are definately a hard rock band, just not nearly as frustrated and angry as p-roach. think seattle grunge (which i love) with the light heartedness of the foo fighters. All of the songs don't sound the same on the disk, which is a good thing. Courage, Wisper, & Wish are very hard. However Attitude is kinda a jazzy, softer song. then there are songs, such as movies, that are pop-rock. The standouts are Courage, Stranded, Attitude, & the micheal jackson remake Smooth Criminal. For you parents, the disk isn't very objectoinable. On summer d*mn is used a couple times. the only other song that is a may not be for the kiddies is death day, but not b/c of cussing. treat your ears to this cd now!