SECRETS OF SUCCESS (Anthology - Alien Ant Farm)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	Anthology - Alien Ant Farm
Date:	05/11/01 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good guitars and drumming

Disadvantages: Some average tracks at best

Here is my new master plan for music and world success:

1. Find four American teenagers
2. Come up with a good three word name for them
3. Give them new haircuts and new skateboard cloths
4. Make sure one of them can scream reasonably well
5. Have one learn one drum beat
6. Teach two guitarist how to make some noise (loud)

Then release a single and an album, have all the teenagers and younger to buy it as your band has a ‘cool’ image and you will make millions. Simple really, I have to say I was a bit doubtful when I heard of Alien Ant Farm, I got the feeling they were going to be manufactured, no talent wannabes. Then I heard the single ‘Smooth Criminal’, and I was reasonably impressed. So I decided to splash out and get their debut album, the cleverly titled ANThology.

Alien Ant Farm (AAF) are the latest nu-metal band to come out of America. They hail from sunny California, and consist of four members. Dryden Mitchell is the lead singer, two guitarists, bassist Tye Zamora and Terence Cosgrove is on electrics and drummer Mike Cosgrove. They are good friends with fellow Californians Papa Roach, while they were still getting established back home, and now AAF are signed to their label, and have supported them on several gigs.

‘Courage’ is a nice opener to the album, strong drumming and beat in general to this. Repeats the chorus and other parts, so is easy to get into your head, but a nice strong track. ‘Movies’ follows the same, strong chorus and big drums and guitars. Good quality, they are not just making a loud noise. A quieter start comes with ‘Flesh and Bones’, but it builds up to a quicker chorus and ending. Less enthralling as the other two, but still a fair song.

‘Whispers’ lived up to the bad side of what I though they could be. No signing talent what so ever, messy and torn with drums and guitars failing to save it. R
16;Summer’ is a slightly better reflection of the vocals, but still not captivating, though it does have a nicer feel to it. ‘Sticks and Stones’ is more like ‘Whispers’ with poor vocals, but sticks in your head with a reasonable chorus.

I can see ‘Attitude’ doing a lot for some people. It has a good enough electric guitar, and keeps a good speed, and is one of the better ones on the album for me. Average really sums up ‘Stranded’. It is very average with it just lacking that cutting edge for me that some like ‘Attitude’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’ have. ‘Wish’ is an interesting mix of quiet and loud, with a loud chorus line. Not too bad, but not outstanding.

‘Calico’ is another one I am indifferent too, it is poor musically, but good guitars and drums redeem it a bit. ‘Death Day’ has a good chorus, but little behind that, then on to my favourite ‘Smooth Criminal’. A really good song, another great chorus which I have to give then credit for they do produce some good lines. Generally a good song, lots of guitars and great tempo. The album then ends on a bit of a whimper wit ‘Universe’ which is slower and a big let down. I usually end it all there, the last song is poor.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised, but not amazed by this album. It is good enough, it suggests there is a bit more to them than manufactured image, but I am still not convinced. They can play music, and there are a few great tracks and some not so great ones. Pretty middle of the line for me, although other people I know will really enjoy this.

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