bitten by animals

This is a review of newly recorded demos of the new acoustic music colloboration that is "Animals may bite".

I imagine like many that read this to share the sadness for the parting of Flags of the Soviet Republic, those that did not know this band truly missed a treat.

I then stumbled across a plea for another musical colloboration from my good friend and singer of said departed band. Ah if only I had more talent I would have jumped at the chance, but alas more importantly I was overjoyed by his intention to return to acoustic music. Those that know me will know that in equal measure I love loud rock music but also acoustic music, especially when either is delivered with an inventive stance and real, pure unadulterated emotion. I knew that Alan had both in swathes.

I do not wish for the record to indicate that this review is going to be in anyway unbiased. Alan may be a good friend and I may have adored his previous muscial outputs as a solo artist, with Ramonastone and Flags... All this may well be true however what will always be more true to me is my sense of conviction and principles that I can stand behind what I say and mean.

There without that out of the way I can begin this review or oh no in fact I shall for background purposes introduce the other collaborating entity that forms Animals may bite. This is of course John Graham of ex Limousine and Flags... fame. So I guess your quest to find a colloborating partner must have been really difficult Alan.

At this stage there are two songs that are self confessed as being roughly recorded on the band's myspage page (http://www.myspace.com/theseanimalsmaybite). These are entitled "The time traveller" and "Dylatov Pass". First thoughts not least did I expect that the titles alone conjure imagination and intrigue.

The Time Traveller opens with what can only be described as a delectably played enticing picking arrangement of harmonious and embracing melody that establishes a sense of soothing. If Jeff Buckley can be referred to as having a voice that could sooth a savage soul then this same superlative is seemingly extremely apt for the prestigous vocal talents of Alan Gillhespy. The lyrical content and subject is somewhat dour but the delivery and overall scope of the lyric seems to have a cathartic appeal. It seems that the protagonist of the lyrical journey is deep within an ocean of self reflection but has opened their eyes to see the flickering of glimpses of sunlight beaming into the water. They can now start to ascend through turbulent waters to reach the surface. The punctuation of the refraining "time" seems to give this further validity. In that the repetition of the old adage that time will heal will find fruition.

I found listening to this song slightly different that other acoustical offerings from Mr Gillhespy I have previously enjoyed (John I have not forgotten about you I'm getting there). The musical arrangement has more pushed towards the downbeat contemplentative moments of post rock as opposed to grunge. This in itself is not exactly hugely surprising as both Ramonastone and to a greater degree Flags of the Soviet Republic exemplified this genre in an exceptional manner and of course upon my first meeting of Alan and for a subsquent period thereafter I knew him as "Roddy" after he had elected to call himself at a mutual place of work in homage to the lead singer of Idlewild.

There is a distinctly Idlewild feel to this song but with still that sparkle of originality and poise that glimmers like the moment fog lights catch cats eyes in the road. I believe the undefinable difference that is received in this music is the aforementioned and not ignored John Graham. John's years of experience and song artistry flow out of him with consumate ease whether writing, performing or in fact and to me largely part of a fuller performer in conversation. John has quintesensual undertstanding of structure and form but couple with the same aspriational and dour emotional range of Alan to colloborate both concepts into an indulgent melting pot of delight.

The second song "Dylatov Pass" is another interesting introduction as to where this band may go. The subject matter is the mystery surrounding the still undiscovered mystery of nine ill fated Russian hikers who died in extraordinary and unexplained circumstances in 1959 on the Dylatov Pass of the Northern side of the Ural mountains. I know what you're thinking what ever happened to songs about love and loss? :) Alas I actually find the subject matter interesting as many emotions are. The unexplained mystery of the tale expertly captured in lyrics is somewhat eerie but mainly very apt. Animals may bite have a sound that on first listen is soothing and pleasant but on deeper inspection has an underlying sadness, mystery and enigmatic quality that needn't be unravelled but just enjoyed.

The music of the song switches to more etheral sound that fits the subject matter well and as with the beautiful picking arrangement of "the time traveller" the guitar work provides an acquiescent journey that is both hypnotic and spell binding. The reverb effects that refrain are left to linger in the air for a moment or two almost akin to those tortured souls on those Russian mountains. The percussion that comes in is also downbeat but serves as testament that some things go on forever and some do not.

I understand that Animals May Bite are performing their debut gig at West Coast in Blackpool on the 10th of October I urge all to attend as I have a feeling that this will be an intersting and intrguing journey to embark upon.