Animal Sawn Creator

[Executive Bird; 2004]

Rating: 1/5

Styles: bedroom pop, twee
Others: Beat Happening, Bill Ding, (earlier) Microphones


Okay, so I guess it sounds thin and that's sort of the point of this kind of music. I don't think Aaron Nemec (aka Animal) is winging it, but this music doesn't scream finesse in any way. It's like listening to The Glow, Part 2 with all the interesting elements removed. It's got that same fuzzed-out lo-fi only with more emotionally restrained vocal delivery. It sounds like Superchunk or Sukpatch only with cheapo production and decidedly less compelling hooks.

This noodley pabulum might get your toes tapping, but it's more than a little lame when taken as a whole. And it wears thin very very fast. I can't tell you how hard it was to sit through this short record. It's like Wesley Willis with droll and silly indiesmirk lyrics and even goofier drum machine beats. The low production values wouldn't bother me so much if there was a bit more imagination shown on the part of the artist. These songs are impossibly cute at times (see: "Moth To The Flame" or "Sunshine City"), but this preciousness only goes so far. Sure there's some infectious melodies at play, but the songs just fall flat on their face in spite of this quality.

I realize twee fans might eat up this kind of plodding formula, but those less faceted music fans out there should not bother seeking this freeze dried peanut butter cup out. There are much better things to do with your time. Like throwing pennies at squirrels in the driveway. That's a much better diversion (and decidedly less pointless) than digging up an Animal recording.

1. To The Future
2. Give Me One More Day
3. I Got A Knife
4. Washington D.C.
5. Mint and Clean
6. Then I Emptied The Gutter
7. Moth To The Flame
8. Sunshine City
9. Canal
10. Never Ready