Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm, Jackson, Michael [1
Universe
Five years before the release of ANThology, Alien Ant Farm befriended Papa Roach, then fellow strugglers on the California club circuit. And so AAF wound up signing to Papa Roach's New Noise Records. AAF have furthermore s... more »trengthened their Roach connection by employing Jay Baumgardner, producer of their benefactors' Infest, to lend sheen to the noise. The result doesn't show a tremendous range, but is generally excellent, with sweeping, soaring guitars ("Whisper," "Stranded") and shuddering riffs ("Wish"), putting one in mind of a less disturbing version of Alice in Chains. Standouts include the opener, "Courage," led by Mike Cosgrove's off-kilter clatter and Dryden Mitchell's winding lyrics; a chopping, pleading cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal"; and the revved up "Flesh and Bone." With the tense, Pearl Jam-like "Attitude," AAF attempt to change the mood and tempo, and one hopes they'll continue such sonic explorations. For now, ANThology is a palatable aperitif. --Dominic Wills« less
Five years before the release of ANThology, Alien Ant Farm befriended Papa Roach, then fellow strugglers on the California club circuit. And so AAF wound up signing to Papa Roach's New Noise Records. AAF have furthermore strengthened their Roach connection by employing Jay Baumgardner, producer of their benefactors' Infest, to lend sheen to the noise. The result doesn't show a tremendous range, but is generally excellent, with sweeping, soaring guitars ("Whisper," "Stranded") and shuddering riffs ("Wish"), putting one in mind of a less disturbing version of Alice in Chains. Standouts include the opener, "Courage," led by Mike Cosgrove's off-kilter clatter and Dryden Mitchell's winding lyrics; a chopping, pleading cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal"; and the revved up "Flesh and Bone." With the tense, Pearl Jam-like "Attitude," AAF attempt to change the mood and tempo, and one hopes they'll continue such sonic explorations. For now, ANThology is a palatable aperitif. --Dominic Wills
Amy T. (simplyamy) from DAKOTA DUNES, SD Reviewed on 11/3/2007...
Awesome CD...their best
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Eric B. M. (Hourousiya) from APO, AP Reviewed on 6/21/2007...
I've bought many CDs in the past that hardly reflect my current taste in music. This is one of them.
0 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Best Album of 2001!
Pete | Potomac, MD | 07/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the music that I have heard this year, the debut by Alien Ant Farm is by far the best. The thirteen songs here (and one hidden track) show incredible talent for a debut. The CD starts off rockin' with "Courage". An excelent song that could easily become a single. Next is their first single, "Movies" and it is worthy of single status as I just can't stop listening to it! "Flesh and Bone" is another favorite of mine, and takes a look at religion with a rock feel. My other favorites from this CD are "Whisper", "Stranded", "Death Day", and the truly excelent "Attitude". However, the song that takes the cake is the cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". Not only do they improve on it in every way, but it has become my favorite song of the year. With this incredible debut, I'm sure that we will see much more good stuff from AAF in the future!"
Maybe the best rock disk of the year
David M. Garrison Jr. | 07/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alien Ant Farm is ready to explode on the music scene. much has been said about them being friends with Papa Roach and on their label, but they deserve to be famous for their music. I bought the cd when i had heard "Movies" on the radio. i saw it at fred meyer for 7.99 and figured what the heck. this cd is awesome. the more i listen to it, the better it gets. They are definately a hard rock band, just not nearly as frustrated and angry as p-roach. think seattle grunge (which i love) with the light heartedness of the foo fighters. All of the songs don't sound the same on the disk, which is a good thing. Courage, Wisper, & Wish are very hard. However Attitude is kinda a jazzy, softer song. then there are songs, such as movies, that are pop-rock. The standouts are Courage, Stranded, Attitude, & the micheal jackson remake Smooth Criminal. For you parents, the disk isn't very objectoinable. On summer d*mn is used a couple times. the only other song that is a may not be for the kiddies is death day, but not b/c of cussing. treat your ears to this cd now!"
ANThology is emotional, profound, and honest
David M. Garrison Jr. | Woodland, CA | 02/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hailing from Riverside, California, Alien Ant Farm has been on the premier edge of the California music scene since their formation in 1996. Winning "best album of 1999" at the LA Music Awards with their independent CD release "Greatest Hits", this dynamic foursome of musicians has enjoyed popular and critical successes since their conception.The best way to describe Alien Ant Farm is to call them "musicians", because that is what they are; they are highly technical and poetic, every member adding significantly to each of ANThology's carefully constructed tracks. This is one of the most penetrating and honest releases by any band in a long time, and with ANThology this band meshes seamlessly together as it makes something that works profoundly on every level.This album is Alien Ant Farm's first major label release, and will feature a collage of both old and new tracks, all representing the band at the top of their game. From `harder' tracks such as "Courage", "Sticks & Stones", and "Wish" to the spiritual "Flesh and Bone", to `lighter' tracks such as "Attitude" and "Happy Death Day", this album is laden with a continual demonstration of great musical talent and provides for a very solid and visceral listening experience. As a special treat, the song "Orange Appeal" is featured as a hidden track and showcases the band's stranger side.ANThology has a much more refined and cleaner sound than the band's previous independent releases and should please both new and old fans alike. Alien Ant Farm adds a new dimension to the current breed of pop-rock clones that permeates so abundantly from today's popular music culture, and `ANThology' will be a welcome addition to anybody who is looking for a band that can take music and turn it into a resonating experience that hits the guttural chords of emotion and feeling, bringing the listener along with it."
Aliens Ain't Farmers
Andrew Estes | Maine | 07/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, this CD. I just cannot explain it. I just keep coming back for more. Sure, I liked it when I first got it, but now it has become an addiction! I cannot think of a song on here that I don't like anymore. From the brutal opening "Courage" to the final track, "Universe," ANThology is a solid collection of heartfelt and hilarious songs. "Courage" is obviously a standout, with the amazing bass, which just takes over the whole song and great vocals by Dryden. "Smooth Criminal" can be taken as either an insult or a tribute to Michael Jackson, either way, Dryden does a pretty interesting impression of ol' Jacko. "Summer" was one of the tracks that took some time to warm up to, but now I love it more than any of the other songs. Other great tracks: Attitude, Whisper, and Wish. I like to think of Alien Ant Farm as Taproot with a sense of humor, and if you can handle that, by all means, pick up this CD. It is definetly on my top 5 of 2001 list already."