Red Animal War - Black Phantom Crusades
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 15 / 11 / 2002
Label:
Deep Elm
Format: CD
intro
"Classy" emo rock, with musical styles ranging from intricate hardcore, to anthemic rock, to loose jazz, from Texan based foursome, Red Animal War
Red Animal War first came to my attention with a track on Ignition Records’ excellent 'Firework Anatomy' compilation, but I can’t say that they immediately stood out on that record. But, they obviously stood out to some people because the Texas based foursome have been snapped up by Deep Elm, first for a split with Slowride, and now for a full length album. Quite frankly, they have surpassed all my expectations and put out a quite brilliant album, one of Deep Elm’s very best. The first two songs are really great. Both appear to be typical emo-rock songs but closer examination reveals intricate guitar work, and a massive variety in sound and texture. The band manage to capture the experimentation of bands like the Appleseed Cast and Logh, but they also add melodies that evoke the likes of Brandtson. Later on Red Animal War demonstrate both that they have the necessary songwriting skills to slow the pace down a bit, and that they can rock out with the best of them. They have plenty of diversity, with musical styles ranging from intricate hardcore, to anthemic rock, to loose jazz. It’s all very classy. The songs themselves are all heartfelt, with a lyrical style that reminds me of Pedro The Lion, very plain language but honest and passionate. Often this touches me more than extravagant wordplay. This is far from the standard fare, and demonstrates a band that could equal Fugazi in giving the emo sound a twist. If you like Fugazi, or Sonic Youth, Shellac, Sweep The Leg Johnny!, Appleseed Cast, Bluetip or Elliott, then this should blow you away.
Track Listing:-
1 Still2 When Fat Pigs Fly
3 Straight Lines For Construction Workers
4 Making Zealots
5 When I Get The Feelin (Back In My Hands)
6 The Day After Yesterday
7 Mouse
8 And So It Begins With Bombs
9 Gattaca
10 Photel California
11 Jambalaya
12 Right Now, Today, I Don't Believe In Hell
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewRod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Marika Hackman - Big Sigh
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart