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DVDfever.co.uk – Civilized Animals: Civilized Animals CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
M80 Records
- Released: March 2010
- Rating: 6/10
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
Seattle rockersBrock Boehm (vox/drums) Jason Casatelli (vox, guitar, bass) and Michael Romagnino (vox, guitar) collectively known asCivilized Animals are indirectly hanging onto the grungy aesthetic formed in the city in the early 1990sby bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam et al.
Nowadays, much of the music, particularly on LA radio stations, has gravitated towards a more classic rock anthemic ethos.In truth, the grunge genre is well and truly dead since post-grunge emerged by the likes of Candle Box and Bush, pushed by more commercial leanings.
To their credit, CA, do have a shot at the more accessible format, but still trying to hold onto grunges sensibilities.However, in terms of the UK music scene, fans here will find this hard to swallow, so cross-Pond potential is limited.
Its the specialist programmes that are likely to pick up on this, rather than mainstream radio. Their songwriting skills are inconsistent, ranging from the memorable to the totally forgettable. The former includes punchy pop rocker Taken with power-riffs aplenty with a catchy chorus as the main hook, but with a heavy groove, reminiscent (in places) of 1980s The Police with dazzling solos keeping firmly rooted in Seattles heritage.
The stab start on Informer instantly grabs you and the groove is steady and infectious, arguably their best moment here. Drumming by Boehm is both disciplined and stylish allowing the rhythm to maintain a steady bed for the vocals to ride a la Red Hot Chili Peppers.All I Be is the first indicator of their more subtle approach, a rambling ballad that weaves and twists with some hot solos by guitarist by either Casatelli or Romagnino
Earlier on, Mirrors is far too congested and over-cooked, though it has some interesting dynamics away from the din. Follower Dont Follow has shades of Black Sabbath, considered the per-cursors of grunge.Their low points are the languid King Feather and shapeless Firing Rose.
Closer, End, is split into two parts, starting of on a mellow footing which explodes in a cacophonous sequence, disappears after 1 minute 50 seconds, re-emerging nearly a minute latter as a totally different song, much rockier. Pointless, in my opinion.
The verdict: More refinement needed.
Weblinks:civilizedanimals.com /myspace.com/civilizedanimals
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Mirrors
2. Dont Follow
3. All I Be
4. On The Level
5. King Feather
6. Fake
7. Different From You
8. Firing Rose
9. Taken
10. Informer
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Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.