Sound Of Animals Fighting, The - Lover, The Lord Has Left Us...

[Drew Beringer]

THE SOUND OF ANIMALS FIGHTING - Lover, The Lord Has Left Us...

Warning: the following record I’m about to review is not intended for those with short attention spans and impatience. Rather, those with a keen ear and a sense of discovery and adventure will be best suited for The Sound Of Animals Fighting ambitious second album, Lover, The Lord Has Left Us…. This octet’s identities have been replaced with a specific animal, as this record features the efforts of The Hyena, The Lynx, The Nightingale, The Penguin, The Ram, The Skunk, The Walrus, and The Wolf, as each member was given a day to add their collective parts to create this project. After many listens to this 14 track, 56 minute long album, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is one of the most frustrating records to be released in 2006. At times, this record shows complete brilliance and execution, but, unfortunately, for the most part the concept of this album falls flat on its face.

To begin, the album begins with a short opener that consists of random noises and static that is not very pleasing to the ear, only to lead into a short a capella track, “Un’aria,” which features Craig Owens of Chiodos (who like a female vocalist in this track). This all builds up to “Skullflower,” the first track displaying the vocals of Anthony Green. This song has a slow steady drumbeat with random electronic noises, guitar tones, and Sanskrit chanting. The next two songs, “My Horse Must Lose” and “Chiracho Summit” feel like one big song, as it is becoming hard to decipher which song is which. “Horses In The Sky” sounds like the bastard child from Chiodos and The Mars Volta (it’s no wonder that Chiodos’ leadman Craig Owens lends his voice here). “Stockhausen, Es Ist Ihr Gehirn, Das Ich Suche” is an eight minute track that begins with fine piano playing in the first two and half minutes which lead into a monotone mechanical noise backed by spontaneous electronic notes. Green lends vocals here again, which completely saves this song from mediocrity. “Prayers On Fire” is an upbeat track with a female chanting Sanskrit once again. It’s interesting to listen to the first time, but after that, it becomes completely annoying, making this track very easy to skip over. “This Heat” is the first really good song on the album, displaying dark electronic undertones reminiscent of Radiohead. Keith Goodwin of Days Away is very appeasing throughout the song, keeping the mood ever present. After more noise—I mean tracks – comes the one of the best songs you’ll hear this year. “The Heretic” is a slow, haunting ballad that creeps into your head and takes you to your deepest feelings. The spoken word bridge is equally as chilling. After sitting through 12 mostly forgettable tracks, the listener is finally rewarded with this gem of a song.

Basically, what it comes down to is how patient and open-minded you are to music. I, for one, am a fan of progressive music that challenges the mind. So while Lover, The Lord Has Left Us… has its fair share of bright spots on the album (“Stockhausen,” “This Heat,” “Skullflower,” and “The Heretic”), for the most part, their idea of progressive and genre-challenging music will be far different from those listening to it, as this album is full of pretentious noise that really isn’t needed. Those who were expecting Tiger & The Duke Part 2 will be greatly disappointed and those who weren’t even expecting that will find this album a little too ambitious for its own good. One can only hope that the next time these Animals record, they realize that extra noise and useless banter does not equal an evolved or unique sound.
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Un'aria
3. Skullflower
4. My Horse Must Lose
5. Chiracho Summit
6. Horses In The Sky
7. Stockhausen, Es Ist Ihr Gehirn, Das Ich Suche
8. Prayers On Fire
9. The Golden Boy That Was Swallowed By The Sea
10. This Heat
11. Un'aria Ancora
12. St. Broadrick Is In Antartica
13. The Heretic
14. There Can Be No Dispute That Monsters Live Among Us
Produced by: The Hyena

The Sound Of Animals Fighting are:
The Hyena
The Lynx
The Nightingale
The Penguin
The Ram
The Skunk
The Walrus
The Wolf

Release Date: May 30, 2006
Record Label: Equal Vision (http://www.equalvision.com)
Official Website (http://www.thesoundofanimalsfighting.com); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thesoundofanimalsfighting)

[Dudebroham]

I really couldnt get into this, but i do love Anthony's parts.

[FASSWcore]

well that's a bummer...oh well, it was a crazy creative process. i'll still buy it and check it out.

[fakedasmile]

I haven't listened to the record yet, however, I have listened to a couple of the songs and what you said is exactly how I felt about those songs. Thank you.

[Drew Beringer]

well that's a bummer...oh well, it was a crazy creative process. i'll still buy it and check it out.
Yeah it is, and the four songs I mentioned that were good total like 25 minutes of the whole album, so it's still worth it kinda haha.

[fire on my lips]

I really like the review and some of the songs on the CD. I agree with what you said.

I remember when this got pushed back people were flipping out because someone called this progressive and some people didn't agree.
Good review.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

Tiger And The Duke had some great parts, but it had so many instrumental filler tracks. They could of cut half of that cd out and it would of been the same, if not better.

As for this, I haven't heard it, but I hope it's a step up from that record.

From what you say, Drew my man, it isn't. That's such a shame.

[avitabully]

The last track where the old man talks about vowels and consonants is the biggest joke i've ever heard. I mean that, too. It was just plain awful and i can only imagine that was its intent. CBOMF makes better music

[GoWaitInTheCar]

The last track where the old man talks about vowels and consonants is the biggest joke i've ever heard. I mean that, too. It was just plain awful and i can only imagine that was its intent. CBOMF makes better music

I'm sure they thought it was deep, original, and witty.

[DiMo]

...“Un’aria,” which features female vocals.

i could swear Un'aria was sang by Craig Owens... O_o
and i actually enjoy the whole album...minus "Chiracho Summit"...


The last track where the old man talks about vowels and consonants is the biggest joke i've ever heard. I mean that, too. It was just plain awful and i can only imagine that was its intent. CBOMF makes better music

i thought he had great points. sure the way he sang wasn't as formula driven as any other song, but what he was saying basically explained why he sang it that way. if you can't appreciate all types of music, and just focus on the vowels.... then would you really have a total appreciation for music?

[Drew Beringer]

i could swear Un'aria was sang by Craig Owens... O_o

That could be true, I couldn't tell the difference. :P

[Jamie Pham]

i liked this cd.. good review

[Frank Giaramita]

Yeah, I was an ENORMOUS fan of "Tiger and the Duke" but I really has trouble making it through this album. It all just sounds really forced to me, like all of the members sat down and said to themselves, "Let's just write the weirdest stuff just for the sake of being different". I don't know, I want to like this album really bad but I can't find a way to. Most of my friends are also equally as dissapointed as I am, and it's kind of a bummer because we were all really looking forward to this release and rocking it at the beach this summer.

[DiMo]

That could be true, I couldn't tell the difference. :P
tisk tisk Drew. tisk tisk.
i heard a part of the first cd...i think some chick sang that too. :p
just playing around dood.

[weworemasks]

wtf? un'aria is craig owens. where is your ear? i figure this review would be bad though. oh well, minus the german opera and sanskrit, i think this album is really good.

edit: worded it wrong. meant for dr. drew!

[DiMo]

wtf? un'aria is craig owens? where is your ear? i figure this review would be bad though. oh well, minus the german opera and sanskrit, i think this album is really good.
my ear? if you were refering to me... i don't see how that could be a female singer, when craig sings the same in some parts of his songs in Chiodos... and if you were refering to Drew... alright, cool.
the sanskrit takes a while to get used to. but i kinda like it sometimes.
and i love german opera... :)

[catscradle]

I don't know if i agree with a lot of you. I've been listening to this album for the last month and i like it a lot. The actual track tracks are really good. I love how everybody wanted this album to be in your face crazy guitar leads and whatnot and they put out an album like this. If you listen carefully the crazy guitars are there but they are in the background of the songs. I think they really wanted to diversify( i don;t know if that's a word but i'm going to go with it) their sound and expand from what everyone was expecting. I love they way how they mix in the different types of music from different cultures using the indian singer, the opera singer, the hip hop beats, to the metalesgue guitar leads in some of the tracks, to the ambient sounds of tracks like the heretic and stockhausen. The way they used kitchen utensils as percussion in stockhausen adds even that much more flare to that song. I guess you have to listen to the cd for a while b/c i really have fallen in love with this cd and would recomend that everyone give it a chance and be open minded with it.

[catscradle]

wtf? un'aria is craig owens? where is your ear? i figure this review would be bad though. oh well, minus the german opera and sanskrit, i think this album is really good.
it's definately craig. You can ask him yourself if you're at all confused. HE will admit he sounds like a chick, but he'll tell you it's him.

[DiMo]

I don't know if i agree with a lot of you. I've been listening to this album for the last month and i like it a lot. The actually track tracks are really good. I love how everybody wanted this album to be in your face crazy guitar leads and whatnot and they put out an alum like this. If you listen carefully the crazy guitars are there but they are in the background of the songs. I think they really wanted to diversify( i don;t know if that's a word but i'm going to go with it) their sound and expand from what everyone was expecting. I love they way how they mix in the different types of music from different cultures using the indian singer, the opera singer, the hip hop beats, to the metalesgue guitar leads in some of the tracks, to the ambient sounds of tracks like the heretic and stockhausen. The way they used kitchen utensils as percussion in stockhausen adds even that much more flare to that song. I guess you have to listen to the cd for a while b/c i really have fallen in love with this cd and would recomend that everyone give it a chance and be open minded with it.

we need more people like you...

[[Mike]]

It was kinda frustrating how they just had a handful of tracks surrounded by filler once again, hopefully next time they will have a true full-length CD.

I will say the majority of the songs on here are quite good, but wow if that last track isn't the most unlistenable thing I've heard in a long time.

[weworemasks]

my ear? if you were refering to me... i don't see how that could be a female singer, when craig sings the same in some parts of his songs in Chiodos... and if you were refering to Drew... alright, cool.
the sanskrit takes a while to get used to. but i kinda like it sometimes.
and i love german opera... :)

not you man, hahaha. it doesnt even really sound like a female to me either. hearing sanskrit on a TSOAF record is weird, because they sing/speak in sanskrit at the temple my parents go to. "prayer on fire" is a word-for-word prayer from hinduism.

it's definately craig. You can ask him yourself if you're at all confused. HE will admit he sounds like a chick, but he'll tell you it's him.

i was referring to drew when i said where is your ear? i knew it was craig, and i think its incredible. his vocal talent is insane on those two a cappella tracks.

[David Wooley]

I'm still on the fence about this record. I got it in the mail the other day and have listened to it a few times since and still can;t decide if I like it or not. They threw a lot of extra weird thing in there that made it a little hard to listen to in some places.

[Scott Weber]

this album is a gigantic pile of crap, and I loved Tiger and the Duke. Tons of filler, stuff that's weird for the sake of being weird (It doesn't help that I don't particularly like Craig Owens or Chiodos). I know a lot of people love this record and will rip into me for saying this, but honestly nobody's ever been able to argue a case to me for this record other than "you just don't understand it." I like plenty of weird shit and I just think this record was a complete failure and it truly seemed like weird for the sake of being weird. I tried to be open minded, I tried hard, but just...no.

[Frank Giaramita]

this album is a gigantic pile of crap, and I loved Tiger and the Duke. Tons of filler, stuff that's weird for the sake of being weird (It doesn't help that I don't particularly like Craig Owens or Chiodos). I know a lot of people love this record and will rip into me for saying this, but honestly nobody's ever been able to argue a case to me for this record other than "you just don't understand it." I like plenty of weird shit and I just think this record was a complete failure and it truly seemed like weird for the sake of being weird. I tried to be open minded, I tried hard, but just...no.
I agree,completely.

[romantic rights]

i love this record because of how much it pisses people off.

[rainbow_danse]

is the real version the same as what everyone got early?

[-Aaron-]

Yeah it I agree with Scott and Frank. I love alot of wierd progressive music too.

[watashi-revenge]

Judging from my first few listens Im digging on this album. I don't know about the to much filler comments, because the filler, "weird for being weird", songs are relatively short in comparison to the great songs on the album. And I agree, The Heretic is an awesome song. Scott and Frank, do you atleast enjoy that song??

[IwishIwasCool]

Yeah, I was an ENORMOUS fan of "Tiger and the Duke" but I really has trouble making it through this album. It all just sounds really forced to me, like all of the members sat down and said to themselves, "Let's just write the weirdest stuff just for the sake of being different". I don't know, I want to like this album really bad but I can't find a way to. Most of my friends are also equally as dissapointed as I am, and it's kind of a bummer because we were all really looking forward to this release and rocking it at the beach this summer.
i would say that's exactly how i feel. i wanted to like this album so bad, i even preordered it, but i just can't listen to it for more than 5 minutes before i get sick of how contrived it sounds

[DiMo]

is the real version the same as what everyone got early?

skullflower... is missing this one looping sound...and it has a different beat...
and that is all that i have compared so far. lol

[resUrectMe617]

i haven't given the album enough listens to have a justified opinion on it, but damn do i love that guy's (from days away) voice. love love it.

[irthesteve]

it's definately craig. You can ask him yourself if you're at all confused. HE will admit he sounds like a chick, but he'll tell you it's him.
no no no, it's the indian chick

and if you think it's craig i challange you to prove it

[Adam Pfleider]

good review Drew, but i definately love this cd, when it comes down to it, i think it's a bunch of people that stepped outside their respected genres and did something that works...well most of the time...i would have to say they could have cut the last track...

[level4loser]

this is the most pretentious shitty band ive ever heard.

[Erkin]

not heard it yet but will buy it, sure i will like it :P

[Mitch]

I hate this album except for maybe one song.

[Katie Schmitz]

i do not like this cd at all

[TheHeretic]

I loved this album even though so many people critique it.

[Reiver]

What the hell!

First off, you most likely reviewed the LEAKED version of the album (The leaked version spelled Chiriacho wrong, so did you). The acapella tracks are obviously sung by Craig, I don't get how you could think that's a girl.

You people know that the each person only got a day to record, and this is what came out of it.... It's pretty amazing stuff when you think how it was recorded.... If the album was any less experimental, it would just be Tiger And The Duke II, or sound exactly like The Mars Volta.

Mr. Drew Beringer, I guess TSOAF isnt for you, have fun with your Kanye West and Relient K.

[Reiver]

no no no, it's the indian chick

and if you think it's craig i challange you to prove it
The acapella tracks? That's Craig, he said in interviews before the album was even released that he was doing the two acapella tracks.

[Latane]

TSOAF recently sent out a message to everyone on their myspace friends list. In the message the band said they try to experiment with "less traditional ways of making music". Personally I kind of agree with the review but at the same time you have to understand the purpose of the band. It sucks that a few songs are so good like "The Heretic" and "This Heat". By the way, does anyone know who sings The Heretic?

[turbonium]

That could be true, I couldn't tell the difference. :P

it is true. im 100% positive. Craig even said he was doing 2 acapella tracks on the album.

[phoenixinflames]

i really like this album. i was really on the fence at first, but now i like it. its just a really interesting project; the way it was recorded/put together is great. It must have been a real experience to be a part of.

[a speedo model]

i might check it out, but probably not....

[Reiver]

TSOAF recently sent out a message to everyone on their myspace friends list. In the message the band said they try to experiment with "less traditional ways of making music". Personally I kind of agree with the review but at the same time you have to understand the purpose of the band. It sucks that a few songs are so good like "The Heretic" and "This Heat". By the way, does anyone know who sings The Heretic?

Matthew Kelly of The Autumns.

[straylighthaste]

tracks I like:
3. Skullflower (the girl singing is tolerable...because hell, its an anthony green song!)
4. My Horse Must Lose (i get into the string instrumentation)
6. Horses In The Sky (closest thing you can get to "Tiger and the Duke" on this album)
7. Stockhausen, Es Ist Ihr Gehirn, Das Ich Suche (mr. green can do no wrong...wish it didn't have the opera singer though)
10. This Heat (awesome awesome awesome)
12. St. Broadrick Is In Antartica (an interesting listen...i like the spoken prose in between)
13. The Heretic (my FAVORITE song on this album, you're right when you say it's a "gem")

that's a good chunk of songs. but still, there are plenty of filler tracks and parts of songs that i can do without. as much as i wish they did another "tiger and the duke", i still like the direction they took with this one. if EVERY song though had the same effect on me that The Heretic did, this would be one of my favorite albums of all time. hopefully they still will go for a third release...because these songs and the 4 tracks on TatD show a lot of promise for the band, they sound so distinct from anything i've been listening to and i love it.

oh, and, craig owens sings the acapella tracks (like everyone else said). :)

[WhnFnalySetFree]

TSOAF recently sent out a message to everyone on their myspace friends list. In the message the band said they try to experiment with "less traditional ways of making music". Personally I kind of agree with the review but at the same time you have to understand the purpose of the band. It sucks that a few songs are so good like "The Heretic" and "This Heat". By the way, does anyone know who sings The Heretic?

The lead singer of the Autumns sings the heretic. It's definitely the best song on the cd, maybe the best song I've heard all year. Check the Autumns out. They're a really underrated, undiscovered 90's band. www.myspace.com/theautumns (http://www.myspace.com/theautumns). His voice is brilliant.


As for the cd, it took me forever to get into it. But after about 5 listens I'm totally into the actual tracks, not the filler. Craig Owens sounding like a chick is not talent.

[Drew Beringer]

haha sorry guys, I fucked up with the whole Craig Owens thing. I'll edit that. Also, to whoever said TSOAF isn't for me, please. I tend to enjoy music like this, the first band that comes to mind is Mars Volta, I like crazy ass shit in music, when it is done well. Here it isn't, and one main reason why is the fact that the group does not sit down and write this music together, rather they write it separately. Anyways, there is too much filler around the 4 great tracks on this album.

[Rohan Kohli]

I really wanted to like this CD, but as Frank said, I think they were trying too hard to be weird for the sake of being weird.

I FUCKING HATE the middle eastern vocals in "Skullflower"... so annoying, and they're not even in the same key. Like... what the fuck is the point of them?

[Drew Beringer]

I really wanted to like this CD, but as Frank said, I think they were trying too hard to be weird for the sake of being weird.

I FUCKING HATE the middle eastern vocals in "Skullflower"... so annoying, and they're not even in the same key. Like... what the fuck is the point of them?
Man, you think someone like you would like the middle eastern vocals ;)

[Tony Pascarella]

I don't like this at all. They tried too hard and failed, in my mind.

[Reiver]

How can you people not like the opera singer, she fits nicely in the song.

As far as the Indian girl, SHE'S NOT MIDDLE EASTERN, she helps form the whole Hindu/Indian theme on the album, which provides a cohesiveness.

[catscradle]

How can you people not like the opera singer, she fits nicely in the song.

As far as the Indian girl, SHE'S NOT MIDDLE EASTERN, she helps form the whole Hindu/Indian theme on the album, which provides a cohesiveness.
i like the opera singer as well, she adds a nice element of beauty to the song. She kinda reminds me of the blue lady from "The Fifth Element."

I like the hindu girl as well.

[UndertheTELE]

I couldn't disagree more with this review. Also, i don't see how noise could be "pretentious." To be perfectly honest, I think people sound sort of "pretentious" when they say music is "pretentious."

[farvaxrepublica]

Say what you want about this album as a whole but the song "the heritic" is the best song of 2006 so far... hands down.

[Reiver]

The reviewer knew almost nothing about album/band (you knew that anthony, craig, keith, and matt e were in it, can you even name the other vocalist? How about the other new animals?), couldn't spell one of the track names, couldn't tell Craig did those acapella tracks, it seems like he reviewed the leaked version, but we're supposed to trust him and listen to this review.

[X__inhope]

This is a great review.

UNLIKE YOUR UNFAIR NEARMISS ONE! (jk lol)

but really, this was a good review and I agree with it completely.

[I am Brad]

regardless this album is poo

[Adeniz19]

honestly this cd is just as good as tiger. tiger had alot of filler with the interludes and really only had 4 songs. this even though it has alot of crazy shit going on is still better then tiger. some of the songs are really amazing and some you just have to skip over but i think overall it was a good release. I cant stand craig owens a capella tracks tho

[mybreakingpoint]

i love it. i've been listening to it nonstop.

i'm usually not big on "weird" music, but this is just great.

[mogwaifearsatan]

i love this record because of how much it pisses people off.

hahahah totally. something tells me they were expecting this reaction, after releasing Tiger and the Duke, which essentially sounded like Saosin after hearing Mars Volta for the first time. I think this record is great. And for all of those who are saying "It's just like they tried to write the weirdest shit ever just to be different" I don't know if you're saying that to knock them, but I'm pretty sure that's exactly what they were trying to do, and Rich has said that. And I think they pulled it off well.

[Drew Beringer]

The reviewer knew almost nothing about album/band (you knew that anthony, craig, keith, and matt e were in it, can you even name the other vocalist? How about the other new animals?), couldn't spell one of the track names, couldn't tell Craig did those acapella tracks, it seems like he reviewed the leaked version, but we're supposed to trust him and listen to this review.
haha, I have the advance, I put it in my iTunes and that is how it was spelt. I don't care if you disagree with it, I don't care if people want to trust or listen to my review, it's my opinion, and frankly this cd is garbage minus a few tracks. Craig Owens sounds like a girl in the track, and all the new animals added a lot of shit to this album. I don't care if you disagree with me.

[Scott Weber]

The reviewer knew almost nothing about album/band (you knew that anthony, craig, keith, and matt e were in it, can you even name the other vocalist? How about the other new animals?), couldn't spell one of the track names, couldn't tell Craig did those acapella tracks, it seems like he reviewed the leaked version, but we're supposed to trust him and listen to this review.
music is music. knowing the band member's names is not essential what you hear, and based on the music this is a fair and adequete review. when something sucks, it sucks - it doesn't matter who's in the band or what the songs are called.

[Drew Beringer]

And the score I gave this album is pretty generous. I know Weebs was thinking about reviewing this in the 30s or below.

[resUrectMe617]

i don't think the other guy was arguing about band members' names because he thought that the members would give the music more "street cred" or a better review. i think he was simply stating that if a reviewer can't get factual information about a band or album correct, people who read the review might feel a sense lost trust...just like with any sort of writing material; you mess up with facts and dates and people aren't going to think you're credible. i'm not saying that's what happened here, but yeah...if you say you don't care if people trust what you write, then what's the point of calling it a review? reviews are meant to be read by people, so that they can be persuaded (or not) towards something.

ps. i don't mean to start anything. i actually thought the review was on point.

[Drew Beringer]

i don't think the other guy was arguing about band members' names because he thought that the members would give the music more "street cred" or a better review. i think he was simply stating that if a reviewer can't get factual information about a band or album correct, people who read the review might feel a sense lost trust...just like with any sort of writing material; you mess up with facts and dates and people aren't going to think you're credible. i'm not saying that's what happened here, but yeah...if you say you don't care if people trust what you write, then what's the point of calling it a review? reviews are meant to be read by people, so that they can be persuaded (or not) towards something.

ps. i don't mean to start anything. i actually thought the review was on point.
I understand what you're saying, what I was trying to say I guess is that don't take my opinion or review as the know-all and end-all of an album. It's just one person's opinion and I encourage everyone to check out an album for themselves and not just listen to me to determine what to and not to listen to. so yeah.

[resUrectMe617]

I understand what you're saying, what I was trying to say I guess is that don't take my opinion or review as the know-all and end-all of an album. It's just one person's opinion and I encourage everyone to check out an album for themselves and not just listen to me to determine what to and not to listen to. so yeah.

it's all good. :)

[Tony Pascarella]

The reviewer knew almost nothing about album/band (you knew that anthony, craig, keith, and matt e were in it, can you even name the other vocalist? How about the other new animals?), couldn't spell one of the track names, couldn't tell Craig did those acapella tracks, it seems like he reviewed the leaked version, but we're supposed to trust him and listen to this review.Do you realize how many bands we get CDs from that 98% of the people here have never even heard of? So Drew made a mistake--we're human. We try to check the facts, but we sometimes still make errors; when someone brings them up, we correct them.

And Drew received an actual copy of this album from EVR; his review is not based off the leak.

[Drew Beringer]

Do you realize how many bands we get CDs from that 98% of the people here have never even heard of? So Drew made a mistake--we're human. We try to check the facts, but we sometimes still make errors; when someone brings them up, we correct them.

And Drew received an actual copy of this album from EVR; his review is not based off the leak.
Haha, blame my iTunes for the spelling error. I imported it and that's how they spelt it. As for the Un'aria mishap, yeah I fucked up, dude still sounds like a chick on the song though.

[Scott Weber]

And the score I gave this album is pretty generous. I know Weebs was thinking about reviewing this in the 30s or below.
Yeah. I would have give this a 3/10.

[phoenixinflames]

i just want to say I dont care whether that eastern singing woman actually is Indian/Hindu/Whatever. The point is she knows how to sing eastern music very well. Not to sound like a pompous asshole, but for those of you who don't like it...well, thats expected. Since much of eastern music deals with quarter tones and scales western music listeners (99.9% of us) aren't used to hearing it sounds to us like certain tones are clashing with one another, when as far as eastern music/culture goes, they are not.

Don't get me wrong, I admit when i first heard her singing on this album I didn't think some of it sounded too good. But after a few listens i got used to it and think its really interesting to listen to.

Seriously apologize if i sounded like a dick at any point here.

[catscradle]

I seriously don't see how people can say something like anathallo,( not the same genre, but they have the same attitudes towards creating music as the TSOAF) which incorporates so many different styles of musicianship and tries to stray from the norms of making music, is amazing and then say that this record is pure crap. People say to have an open mind towards anathallo, but then say to write this off as garbage just doesn't make sense to me.

[Scott Weber]

I seriously don't see how people can say something like anathallo,( not the same genre, but they have the same attitudes towards creating music as the TSOAF) which incorporates so many different styles of musicianship and tries to stray from the norms of making music, is amazing and then say that this record is pure crap. People say to have an open mind towards anathallo, but then say to write this off as garbage just doesn't make sense to me.
I can't even believe you're attempting that argument.

[jon.fftl]

I really like the CD. You can't blame them for trying something different (btw, isnt that the reason why TSOAF began in the first place?)....

[ilovebsb]

what is sounds of animals fighting? is this like a studio band made by a bunch of artists/? like whats the deal? yeah i checked them out after reading how bad the album was and i wasnt really impressed but the art work looks pretty cool but is it an actual band that tours and stuff? or was this some kind've side project?

[DiMo]

It sounds like you just rushed this review because you want to write so many reviews, and didn't even care if you had the real album or the advanced...

Skullflower has a different beat...and different eletronic noises in the final release...(wtf...seriously. might as well put "ADVANCE" right next to the album name)

And saying that Craig sounds like a girl in those songs...(over and over again) doesn't justify your ignorance, and i also understand how you admited to the mistake, but because he can hit those notes and sing in that beautiful style... doesn't mean that all of a sudden only girls can sing in such ways. (especially when such singers like Craig and Anthony are always accused of sounding like females... it almost sounded like you were making fun of him at first, but i realized you actually thought it was a girl)

you blame your itunes for spelling the song wrong?? iTunes doesn't rename a song that is taken from your computer because you had the advanced (not the final!!!!) album.

how the hell does "My Horse Must Lose" and "Chiracho Summit" sound like one whole song?!?!?! did you even listen to Chiracho Summit???? Or the farsi that ended My Horse Must lose? and how it faded away, and then there was a slight pause, and Chiracho Summit starts a totally different vibe...

i'm sorry. it just feels like you wrote the review for the hell of it, and didn't analyze it past a few points.
i respect your opinion on those few points(sometimes)...but it's hard to respect this whole review.

[dorfmac]

the day i got this was the same day i got dog problems. this cd isn't good whatsoever, while dog problems is amazing. i think i got the best and worst cds of the year all in the same day.

[Scott Weber]

It sounds like you just rushed this review because you want to write so many reviews, and didn't even care if you had the real album or the advanced...

Skullflower has a different beat...and different eletronic noises in the final release...(wtf...seriously. might as well put "ADVANCE" right next to the album name)

And saying that Craig sounds like a girl in those songs...(over and over again) doesn't justify your ignorance, and i also understand how you admited to the mistake, but because he can hit those notes and sing in that beautiful style... doesn't mean that all of a sudden only girls can sing in such ways. (especially when such singers like Craig and Anthony are always accused of sounding like females... it almost sounded like you were making fun of him at first, but i realized you actually thought it was a girl)

you blame your itunes for spelling the song wrong?? iTunes doesn't rename a song that is taken from your computer because you had the advanced (not the final!!!!) album.

how the hell does "My Horse Must Lose" and "Chiracho Summit" sound like one whole song?!?!?! did you even listen to Chiracho Summit???? Or the farsi that ended My Horse Must lose? and how it faded away, and then there was a slight pause, and Chiracho Summit starts a totally different vibe...

i'm sorry. it just feels like you wrote the review for the hell of it, and didn't analyze it past a few points.
i respect your opinion on those few points(sometimes)...but it's hard to respect this whole review.
Drew has already said he has the final version of this record (EVR mailed them out to the staff here) and his iTunes mislabeled the songs when he imported them. Drew and I both had FULL, complete, physical, retail copies of this record weeks before it was released.

[DiMo]

haha, I have the advance, I put it in my iTunes and that is how it was spelt. I don't care if you disagree with it, I don't care if people want to trust or listen to my review, it's my opinion, and frankly this cd is garbage minus a few tracks. Craig Owens sounds like a girl in the track, and all the new animals added a lot of shit to this album. I don't care if you disagree with me.

oh... really? advanced you say?


Drew has already said he has the final version of this record (EVR mailed them out to the staff here) and his iTunes mislabeled the songs when he imported them. Drew and I both had FULL, complete, physical, retail copies of this record weeks before it was released.

final versions... hmmm i thought he just said he had an advanced. i had heard the advanced one as well...and it seemed a little different than the final one, which i received in the mail from the pre-order...
if what i heard, a few weeks ago, is the same as the songs you obtained weeks ago were the same, then...i rest my case.

when cd's are obtained before they are suppose to come out...they don't obtain the names of the songs from the internet because they aren't in a database yet.

if i am totally wrong, and i am making an asshole out of myself, i take back about half of what i said...

[Scott Weber]

oh... really? advanced you say?



final versions... hmmm i thought he just said he had an advanced. i had heard the advanced one as well...and it seemed a little different than the final one, which i received in the mail from the pre-order...
if what i heard, a few weeks ago, is the same as the songs you obtained weeks ago were the same, then...i rest my case.

when cd's come out before they are suppose to...they don't obtain the names of the songs from the internet because they aren't in a database yet.
Let me explain to you how reviewers lingo works. When I get a copy of an album in the mail, whether it has full artwork or not, that is an ADVANCE copy. Sometimes I'll get full, retail, final versions of a record in the mail a month before it comes out. That's still an advance because it came to us well before retail date. Now whether Drew got a non-artwork advance or not, I'm not sure, but we both had the finalized version well before the street date, and hence this review.

You're wrong about the internet thing. I always rip my advance copies of albums in Windows Media Player when I get them, and about 60% of the time, song titles will already be online because somebody else got the advance as well, entered all the track listings, and submitted it. Then, when WMP sees that same CD, it fills in the information for you - whether there's errors or not. The database is built not only on retail CDs but also on user submissions.

[Drew Beringer]

Haha, I have the real cd, with the shitty cardboard and shitty one piece paper that came with it. Dimo, great you love this cd awesome. Just because I don't like it (and countless others) doesn't mean you have to attack my style of reviewing. Trust me, I listened to this album a good 10-15 times, I've had the actual RETAIL copy of this since May 17th. The majority of staff here dislike this album too, and we all have very diverse tastes.

[DiMo]

Haha, I have the real cd, with the shitty cardboard and shitty one piece paper that came with it. Dimo, great you love this cd awesome. Just because I don't like it (and countless others) doesn't mean you have to attack my style of reviewing. Trust me, I listened to this album a good 10-15 times, I've had the actual RETAIL copy of this since May 17th. The majority of staff here dislike this album too, and we all have very diverse tastes.

i'm sorry for that attack. lol. and i am sorry for accusing you of not reviewing the final album.
but if i saw a more detailed review, and someone still gave it a horrible rating. well at least i know why they didn't like it. a technical reason why they didn't like it, not something i would read any other AP.net user posting. i'm sorry i didn't find it professional, but i am not attacking this because i liked the cd and you didnt... if i had disliked the cd just like you did and read this review, i still wouldn't have understood why you thought it was bad, besides it being pretentious...(which is a term i don't agree of, because they aren't the only ones who make music like that. and please don't mention The Mars Volta)

[weworemasks]

I really wanted to like this CD, but as Frank said, I think they were trying too hard to be weird for the sake of being weird.

I FUCKING HATE the middle eastern vocals in "Skullflower"... so annoying, and they're not even in the same key. Like... what the fuck is the point of them?

ahahahah i dont like the vocals either. its such a beautiful song, and then she just sings so out of key. i think it would have been ok as distinct background vocals, but to put her in the front of the song is such a bad choice. it would have been nice to have a sanskrit-free version of skullflower.

[Tony Pascarella]

You realize that if Drew wrote a "more detailed" review, you'd all be complaining that his review was too long, right?

[PIG DESTROYER]

yea, skullflower is a really cool, creepy song minus those god awful female vocals.

this cd is complete garbage if you ask me, save for a couple of songs that are interesting enough to give a chance. theres nothing progressive or genius or even musical about random static noises.

they shoud combine the 4 actual songs from tigerand the duke with the 4 or so good ones from this and have 1 good album instead of 1 very promising ep and 1 huge letdown of an album.

they could even combine the shit noise tracks into another album and sell that too. They could sell them a month apart- "Part 1: This is Music," and "Part 2: This isn't."

I would give them props if they did that.

[IamNogreatMan]

I didnt find any reason to listen to this cd again once it finished. And sadly I felt the same about YouInSeries as well.

Just get Astronautalis-The Mighty Ocean & Nine Dark Theaters

Album of the year for me so far.

[catscradle]

I can't even believe you're attempting that argument.
well, believe it b/c i just did.

[eight]

this is like the only cd i've listened to since i got it in the mail.

if you take out the shit, this is still a really great 8 song cd.

my favorite song has got to be St. Broadrick is in Antarctica.

[IAmAmazing]

this is like the only cd i've listened to since i got it in the mail.

if you take out the shit, this is still a really great 8 song cd.

my favorite song has got to be St. Broadrick is in Antarctica.

so...pretty much 6 bad tracks?

[Rohan Kohli]

i just want to say I dont care whether that eastern singing woman actually is Indian/Hindu/Whatever. The point is she knows how to sing eastern music very well. Not to sound like a pompous asshole, but for those of you who don't like it...well, thats expected. Since much of eastern music deals with quarter tones and scales western music listeners (99.9% of us) aren't used to hearing it sounds to us like certain tones are clashing with one another, when as far as eastern music/culture goes, they are not.

Don't get me wrong, I admit when i first heard her singing on this album I didn't think some of it sounded too good. But after a few listens i got used to it and think its really interesting to listen to.

Seriously apologize if i sounded like a dick at any point here.

Considering I'm brown, I've heard my fair share of eastern music... the fact is that those vocals are OUT OF KEY with the song. It sounds retarded.

[Don Trump]

More like the sound of my toilet flushing this album.

[mwhitt]

Considering I'm brown, I've heard my fair share of eastern music... the fact is that those vocals are OUT OF KEY with the song. It sounds retarded.

Her vocals are in the key of the song, brosef. But like the previous poster said before you, they use different scales, which are more modal than the ones that are commonly used in Western music. Ever listen to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew? He blends modal scales with tonal scales and the mix is incredible.

Anywho, for those of you who thought otherwise, I wrote a positive review here. Check it out: http://emotionalpunk.com/cdreview/430/

[DiMo]

You realize that if Drew wrote a "more detailed" review, you'd all be complaining that his review was too long, right?

yeah because i do that all the time..........O_o
i don't.

[Shatter_Glass]

Yeah, I was an ENORMOUS fan of "Tiger and the Duke" but I really has trouble making it through this album. It all just sounds really forced to me, like all of the members sat down and said to themselves, "Let's just write the weirdest stuff just for the sake of being different". I don't know, I want to like this album really bad but I can't find a way to. Most of my friends are also equally as dissapointed as I am, and it's kind of a bummer because we were all really looking forward to this release and rocking it at the beach this summer.

*Giggle*

[Shatter_Glass]

Her vocals are in the key of the song, brosef. But like the previous poster said before you, they use different scales, which are more modal than the ones that are commonly used in Western music. Ever listen to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew? He blends modal scales with tonal scales and the mix is incredible.

Anywho, for those of you who thought otherwise, I wrote a positive review here. Check it out: http://emotionalpunk.com/cdreview/430/

Assclown.

[domesticyeti]

my little brother bought this album on tuesday. normally i really like different and ambient music, but this was just shit. it sounds like they tried to get too weird for their own good.

but anyways, good review drew

[chicametipo]

Poor review, great album.

[TheBaroness]

After listening to it a few times, i really like this CD. i particularly enjoy the opera singer, and i think the sanskrit vocals are a nice touch. some bits of the album remind me of bjork, so that's always a good thing. i can see how it's not for everybody though, especially if you were expecting something along the lines of tiger and the duke.

[Versus The Shed]

This Album was a little disappointing to the Tiger and the Duke,.. top 3 favorite cds

[GoWaitInTheCar]

Listening a lot more to this cd, I'm not even sure how I feel about it right now.

I write a lot of stories late at night, and I think this is a great record to play then.

[newfoundmichael]

Anthony Green is amazing...Circa Survive is great and the old Saosin is sweet too...however, this album sucks...it was to out there for me, which is weird because I enjoy the works of Mars Volta and BTBAM.

[SmokieB.High]

really good cd better then tiger and the duke for sure

[gravitywinsagn]

i found this album really disappointing :(

[RickeyScene]

This CD is so frustrating.

There's more filler shit than actual singing.

Anthony Green and Craig Owens in one band sounds so promising.

I'm so let down.

[thekinison]

at first i was like wtf - but now im in love with this record, so many layers and textures.

[Shatter_Glass]

love the keith and Ant tracks

[cereal4life]

Yeah it is, and the four songs I mentioned that were good total like 25 minutes of the whole album, so it's still worth it kinda haha.

Drew, your reviews seriously kick ass!

I like how you put standout tracks and the best tracks if an album is mostly crap. It helps me in knowing what albums I shouldn't bother listening to all the way through. Haha I had a suspicion this album would be mostly "pretentious noise" with some real gems in it. Needless to say, I've downloaded the four doozies you recommended!

[KillyourIdols88]

the only thing i can agree on this review is that last line.

[delvec19]

Man i feel bad whoever paid for this thinking it was gonna be like Tiger and the Duke

[Theher3tic]

Its about the experience of listening to it. Like a movie. Every scene isnt the kick ass scene you and your buddies are gonna talk about. You gotta prep the climax by creating tension, so when it is finally released, it makes it that much better. The random noises and such are to provide tension. Havent you seen a movie where the whole time your like 'wtf is going on' immediatly followed by the climax I thought this cd flowed extremely well and the track list was perfect.

[buzzhannahbuzz]

This album is strange, but anyone who doesn't like it at first needs to watch their DVD. It really makes you appreciate each song and all of the individual parts played by each musician.
And of course it's Craig Owens, what kind of question is that?
Seriously though, watch their DVD. It's everything I've expected from this band.

[buzzhannahbuzz]

this is like the only cd i've listened to since i got it in the mail.

if you take out the shit, this is still a really great 8 song cd.

my favorite song has got to be St. Broadrick is in Antarctica.
I loved St. Broadrick is in Antarctica, too. It's really disappointing to see how it just got blown over. Rich Balling has an amazing voice, and practically every review I've read on this album hasn't included the song.

[chelseaxsmilexD]

That could be true, I couldn't tell the difference. :P
it is, he's doing a high female falsetto, sorry... O_o!

[AaRoNpUnK]

Ocean was much better