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Saturday 6th of March 2010
MKM!
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ANIMALS + MEN
(Radstock, Southwest Verenigd Koninkrijk)
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British D.I.Y. legends Animals & Men have returned from a nearly thirty-year furlough with a self-titled 12″ EP out now on Convulsive Records. It pleases me to inform that they had good cause to do so.
The engaging simplicity of Animals & Men has reemerged as a harsh pill for contemporary musical tastes that have become oblivious of the debt this band is owed. The songs are tightly lethargic, still shunning excess and impressing in a restraint that should not be confused with laziness. What has always been bare music feels now like scraping skin and bones, as if Animals and Men are revising history to reassert the edge long since filtered from their influence by douchey haircuts.
New recordings of “It’s Hip” and “Dreaming Of Babylon” are welcome additions that ease skeptics into the shallow end by granting new, dingier life to these legacy tracks. And as good as old favorites might be, the real reason for your attention are the four new cuts from the old curmudgeons. The authenticity of their D.I.Y aesthetic is preserved, with beats skipping and words slurred across the board. And this D.I.Y authenticity is no gimmick– these songs could be hits. In fact, the standout “John Of The Sword” has all of the catchiness of an Arctic Monkey’s single, only it’s not tragically gay. I would wager that these multimillion dollar Monkey’s have zero awareness of the legendary band they constantly ape to great fortune and success. Just another reason why it’s great to have Animals and Men back.
What has proven an austere and relevant return might have been another geriatric plea with cracks exposed. But perhaps that is a risk posed only to lesser bands. Despite nearly three decades of silence, this EP feels like Animals and Men are simply doing what’s natural.
The sensible will purchase.
SACK-O’-WOES!
(HOORN !, Noord-Holland Nederland)
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Baby, i'm born old!
DISC JOCHIE GRRRT
(Amsterdam)
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€ 6,- Doors open 21.30
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