Animals As Leaders - Weightless
Rating
RIYL
PeripheryCynic
Jaga Jazzist
Release Date
11/04/2011
Label
Prosthetic RecordsTracklist
1. An Infinite Regression2. Odessa
3. Somnarium
4. Earth Departure
5. Isolated Incidents
6. Do Not Go Gently
7. New Eden
8. Cylindrical Sea
9. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless
12. David
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Animals as Leaders burst onto the scene in late 2008 when guitarist Misha Mansoor began posting song demos online. Proudly introducing his new project with ex-Reflux guitarist Tosin Abasi, he was rightfully excited, as evidenced by the output. The self-titled album, released in 2009 on Prosthetic Records, set a fire within the metal community fueled by Abasi’s incredible guitar technique and unique songwriting. The release wasn’t perfect; the production was poor and it was oversaturated with ideas, but the sheer originality of the project was enough to keep it relevant, even now. Following multiple high-profile tours with the likes of Circa Survive, Between the Buried and Me, and Underoath, the popularity of the group has sky-rocketed, making the November 8th release date of Weightless one to keep track of.
Though the self-titled featured only Misha Mansoor in addition to Abasi, the group’s line-up was solidified shortly before their first outing, adding ex-Animosity drummer Navene Koperweis and guitarist Javier Reyes. Weightless sports a sleek and powerful production job by Koperweis and mixing handled by Reyes, something equally as impressive and unique as the music itself. Coupled with more prevalent electronic features, the album certainly fleshes out its own identity and presents an exciting platform for the music it hosts.
Weightless begins with “An Infinite Regression,” featuring an absolutely other-worldly sound that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Dexterous thumb techniques over an odd rhythmic palette somehow combine to make a sound similar to a modernist painting, with crisp, clear, and still organic production helping it to flood your ears. Another layer is added when Abasi applies his signature extended melody skills to a solo, all of this in the first song. “Odessa” picks up right where the first track lets off, with an overjoyed electronic intro not unlike Jaga Jazzist or, frankly, a Mario game. The track explores every element of Animals as Leaders’ style, an evolution and newer representation of something you would hear on the self-titled album. Musically very different, yet still featuring the same sensibilities overall.
The feel throughout the album is much of the same. Aside from the final two tracks, most follow the same agenda and lend more insight into the technical prowess of the group. “Earth Departure,” “Do Not Go Gently,” and “Cylindrical Sea” combine all of the band’s best elements into their shells, standing above the rest as compositions that are simply mind-bending. More diversity among the tracks would certainly be welcomed and seems to be one of few complaints about the album from listeners so far. The spacey, entrancing quality of the music alone, however, will be enough for many. Personally, the title track could have been a longer endeavor. The pre-self-titled demo track it was shaped from seemed a much more personal affair, something which this record overall could have benefited greatly from. Regardless, the song features the album's extremely heavy climax and leads up to the more subdued and contemplative “David” well.
As a sophomore effort, Weightless certainly holds up. Some might critique the stylistic stray from the first album, though others will praise it for being forward-thinking. The musicianship on this album is ahead of its time and will continue to impress for years, just as the first record did, and just as future releases from the group surely will. Incredible technicality, fascinating style and swagger, and a sound like no other. There isn’t much more you need to create a memorable album as far as Animals as Leaders is concerned.
Comments
Minnesota
I need at least another listen or two with this, but after anticipating it for so long, consider me a bit let down. Whereas their debut floored me, this simple feels "better than average."
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Disappointing.
Fishers, Indiana
I guess I'll step up and say I dug this way harder than the self-titled. But I'm a sucker for glossy production.
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Raleigh, NC
There are still songs on the self-titled that I don't recognize when I hear them. I think I dig the overall style on this a lot more. I feel like this is a lot more unique than the self-titled.
Copperas Cove, TX
I'm going to listen to this album first and then their debut.
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