Re-Animator. Everything Everything

Somewhere between 2013 and 2020 things went wrong between Everything Everything and me. I gave the album 'Arc' a very positive review at the time and then nothing. It appears I missed two albums from 2015 and 2017 in between.

What I noticed in my 2013 review is the list of names being dropped to describe the music on 'Arc'. Listening to Re-Animator for the first time, before deciding to invest in listening and write and looking up the old review, I had the same experience. There's no escaping the inclination to drop names, I'm sorry to say, as you are about to find out.

Due to the mix of rock, beats and electronics the comparison to Django Django remain intact. This band however did lose me in the past years. There's Alt-J for when things get a little more complicated musically. Another band that pops up regularly on the album is the darling of all things alternative rock, Radiohead. It's in the way Jonathan Higgs sings at times and in the arrangement of the songs. What Everything Everything manages to add is a pop elements to Radiohead's seriousness. It makes the music less top heavy and easier to digest.

You can take opening song 'Lost Powers' to listen how that works out. The vocal melody is very Radiohead at times, the pop twist the song gets in "Come on, you've only lost your mind" part, is convincing, as is the heavy guitar or two and three that join in later. The combination works, leading to me being interested to hear more.

The manipulation of the vocals in 'Big Climb' is an immediate turn off though. Leave that to rappers that can't sing, please. The song as a whole is a hybrid of pop rock and modern dance music. Experimental is perhaps too big a word in 2020, as it all has been done before. Several elements of 'Big Climb' makes it a successful hybrid.

Promo photo

In a way Re-Animator presents mathematical music. Complex rhythms lay under fairly straightforward vocal melodies. It all seems to fit only because of hard work. Most songs are not just songs, but small works of musical art. If the songs on the album were composed with an acoustic guitar in an attic room, there's nothing reminding the world of that song that once existed. It makes Re-Animator the more interesting to listen to. (Also to hear that first recording at some point in the future; should it exist.)

There is a lot going on on this album. Where the comparisons are concerned Everything Everything plays in a lower league. When looking at the music on its own, the band does win. For one reason, one listening session is not enough to discover the depth on offer. By listening more, I discover more details. Some I do not like, the vocal pitching e.g., others I do and they allow me to delve in even deeper. When the band lets go of all inhibitions in the final part of 'Arch Enemy', there's even a big party going on by then.

In 2013 I called 'Arc' a musical adventure. In 2020 I will end in the same vein. Re-Animator is a musical adventure taking the listener on highs and lows, fasts and slows. It holds something for everyone with a sense for musical adventure in the mix of pop, electronics and alternative pop/rock. For those who feel attracted to this kind of music, Re-Animator is worth the investment.

There's a P.S. to what I wrote above (and now the album's release has been pushed back by a few weeks). This week an episode of the series 'Classic Albums' was broadcasted: 'Songs From The Big Chair', Tears for Fears' smash album from 1985. Listening to that album for the first time since I do not know when, I, i) agree that it's a masterpiece; ii) was triggered to put on another song by association, 'Uncertain Smile' by The The. The combination of playing these two in sequence opened up a whole new view on my take on bands like Django Django and Everything Everything. Inspiration is fully found here.

Wo.


Listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g