Alien Ant Farm - ANThology

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 Amazon.com

 PleasANT surprise
I found this cd in a cd changer I bought off ebay so I thought I would check it out. I had heard Smooth Criminal, Movies, and Attitude and knew they were pretty good but I was surprised how good the rest of the songs were. Whatever happened to these guys? May 31, 2007

 Smooth...
The best ever re-make of a Michael Jackson song! Band sounds tight and has rythm but this style of music tends to sound the same. March 9, 2007

 Great CD
I dont understand everyone who is like "hey man, this isnt harcore enough. The only good song is Smooth Criminal. Michael Jackson's cd is better." Did you even listen to the other songs on the cd? and if your so hardcore why did you buy the CD in the first place. I enjoyed almost every song on Anthology. and truANT. And their new cd Up in the Attic which you can get on i tunes or buy on amazon end of june. June 3, 2006

 One great album
First off this is the album that got me into music period! I got it for my 13th birthday. Prior to this album. I barely listened to music at all. Smooth Criminal is an excellent cover of MJ's original from the bad album.

I ask that anyone who reads this review, please don't listen to the haters that write a one paragraph piece of crap review of this album. I can understand that some people won't like the album, but don't be a hater. People do think that AAF does bad music that is about death, but the thing is that they use metaphors in their songs and make you think a little bit.

For example:
Happy death day isn't a song about killing everyone in the world or something. It is about when you hate someone so much and you wish them dead, but in the back of your mind you know that is they did die you would be devistated.

This record is truly a great album. I had a couple of friends who were hating on AAF a few weeks ago and I had them listen to one of their songs and they are now borrowing the album. That's how good it is. I also have gone through 2 copies and I need to get a 3rd soon! February 20, 2006

 Orange Appeal
This album is astounding. I first heard it about two years ago, and it still amazes me. Within those two years, I have found many reasons to absolutely love this CD.

Some of my favourites:
Courage-Very, very cool guitars. I get an outerworldly experience when I hear it. 9/10

Movies-Lyrically, one of the best on the album. Musically, it floors me how much emotion is put into this song from the singing to the instruments. 10/10

Flesh and Bone-A religious song. Not in your face, like Creed would do it, but quite subtly and nicely. This song is bass driven, like most of the tracks. 10/10

Whisper-Harder, more edgier. I don't think the subject matter pertains to regular people though [it's about record producers.] 9/10

Summer-Corny chorus. Good song. Heartfelt. You could hear the frustration and desperation in Dryden Vera Mitchell's voice. 9/10

Attitude-I get goosebumps when I hear this song. Slow, no guitar pounding. It's such a wonderful song, and it's definitely in my top ten Best Songs Ever list. 10/10

All in all, buy this album. Don't be disillusioned by the fact that they are protegees of Papa Roach. They sound NOTHING like that suck-fest. ANThology is my favourite album. It is not perfect, but it is really damn good. They don't need to curse or spew nonsencical, supposedly "deep" lyrics. They keep it simple, and it works out magnificently. The hidden track is gorgeous as well.
January 13, 2006

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