| There are some bands that a big push behind them and I’m not exactly sure why. Animo is one of those bands. This band has found their way onto Warped Tour, they’ve gotten a decent bit of buzz for their record, and somehow, they remain completely unimpressive. In today’s world, there are so many options for what you’re going to listen to that sub-par albums are completely frowned upon. Animo’s Blood in the Water sounds unpolished, unfinished, and like it was recorded in a bathroom.
Musically, Animo is rehashing a familiar pop punk sound that would appeal to fourteen year old fans that frequent the aforementioned Warped Tour. Imagine New Found Glory mixed with a Side One Dummy band, yet knocked back in musical progression by a decade. Just the same as any other genre, there’s a difference between well written pop punk and, well, this. The production and tones have made the guitars riffs indecipherable and the vocals wear on you like a cheese grater to a fresh wound. But it isn’t all bad, there are hints toward a brighter future, if they can work it all out.
On a positive note, Animo seems to know the formulas that make pop punk sound good. The bare bones and guts of this band is dead on, the construction is immaculate. It is the easily changed things that make this record awful. Vocal patterns and styles can change in a heartbeat, guitar tones can be cleaned up with the correct producer. So while Animo has released a record that doesn’t really have a finished sound, they’ve escaped a lower rating because it is clear that they’re moving in the right direction. Better luck next time, Animo.
~ Shane
July 21 2008 |
