Search - Animals :: Ark

Highly underestimated

Martin | Sarpsborg, Norway | 08/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
In 1983, the original members of The Animals once again started rattling their instruments, and they finally reunited after experiencing some convincing Eric Burdon it was a good idea. To this day Eric Burdon still hates this reunion and regrets that he came along in the first place.

Well, I can't say that I agree with him here! The album is really good, especially what was the first side of the LP (the first 6 songs). Prisoner of the Light is an outstanding piece with its mystical, dark arrangements and lyrics, and I still concider it being one of Erics' finest songs. When this album came out, for some reason it was detestined by every critic it came along - a big mistake I still can't figure out. OK, The Animals were not great musicians at this point (except for Alan Price and Eric Burdon), but they were helped along by Steve Grant, Nippy Noya, Zoot Money and a sax-player I can't remember the name of... Apart from one or two bummers like Just Can't Get Enough and Wanna Get Back To You this album is a great piece of music. The songs are a bit dark and quite harsh, and not at all like the stuff they did in the 60's, but they still sound good. Buy it!"

As good as they got

Marcus Aurelius | PA USA | 09/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The original Animals had all the commercial appeal of the British Invasion groups of 1964-5 and all the musical integrity of the bands who were still around by 1966-7. Eric Burdon eventually split and even though he could drink as much as Keith Richards on stage, he eventually went farther and farther out into the universe until he was just a fading star. Alan Price did his own thing and Chas of course had his own Experience. The boys reunited twice: in the late 70's and this early 80's set. The big difference is that the original band supported this album with a tour and a lot of these tunes were live numbers. And they rocked. As much as I like the early Animals, the Eric Burdon solo stuff, and the Alan Price material, this to me is just a great set, and it could be argued is the best album that the band put together. Burdon is in great voice, and when Chas and Alan sing background, it's the sound that made the world pick up its ears in the early 60's. The recording is clean, the band and back-up musicians are top rate, and the material--including the bonus flip side--is just brilliant. So glad to see this available, and you should give it a listen."

Greatest reunion album in the history of pop music

Marcus Aurelius | PA USA | 12/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Animals gave it a second and third time around and this (the third time around) was just a great album--they even supported it with a tour of the original members (plus some backing musicians including Zoot Money). It's just high energy all the time. One of the great albums of all time, artfully produced, great mature musicianship by all."