Animal R&R – Parallax

Self-Released (2014)

Reviewed by, Jimmy “Explosive Diarrhea” B.

I recently went to see a couple of local Portland bands, Satan Spelled Backwards and Animal R&R. During their set, Animal R&R, announced they had CDs available for a price, but hugs were free. I, a paying customer, waited around for a few minutes after their set for the Lutskovsky brothers (guitars and vocals) to finish hugging all the cheap non-CD buying fuckers, and obtained a couple CDs.

The first thing I noticed about Parallax is the CD’s production. It’s a little bright for my taste, but it is still impressively good. It may be a personal problem, but I generally think less of a band if they produce a good record with bad production. With modern technology, there is no reason for a CD to ever have muddy sound (unless it is some black metal wankers doing it on purpose – fuckers!). Sorry for the angry, Kloghole like digression, now back to Parallax.

If I had to choose a couple of bands with similar styles, I would look to El Ten Eleven and Caspian, but these are not perfect comparisons. The sound of Animal R&R is familiar, but not easy to classify; I hear shoegaze, postrock, and indie rock. The band themselves claim emo, and postrock as major influences. But the distinction isn’t important. What matters is that they do their thing, whatever it is, quite well. The musicianship is superb. I particularly like the drums, but I am partial to drummers and bass players (What Rush fan isn’t?).

I find the drumming on Parallax to be not only exemplary, but also very interesting. The drummer is in constant motion; he is hitting something, usually a cymbal, at all times – he reminds me of a jazz drummer. In other words, there is one drum fill after another. However this does not translate into fast tempo songs. The songs on Parallax range from slow to mid tempo (generally in the same song). I don’t mean slow like Sleep or Low, but they are slower than your typical rock song. Most of the tracks on Parallax have a traditional structure. There are three parts, a slowish introduction, the crescendo, and a slower coda. This structure makes the songs somewhat predictable, but it is also necessary to create the emotional vibe or mood the band is going for. Also, contributing to the vibe on Parallax is an abundance of minor chords. The band may switch back and forth between major and minor, but those depressing minor chords are ever present. The feeling brought forth on Parallax is emotional and haunting rather than depressing. This is introspective music.

I was impressed enough with Animal R&R to approach them after the Portland show to ask if they minded me reviewing Parallax, something I have never done before. I was impressed by their musicianship and of course their offer of free hugs

If you desire a CD, contact the band at animalr&rband@animalrr.com or, pick one up at a show in the Portland, Oregon area – be sure to get your free hug as well.

For you digital downloaders,  get your Animal R&R digital fix at http://animalrr.bandcamp.com/album/parallax.