Red Animal War
Seven Year War
End Sounds
www.redanimalwar.com
www.endsounds.com


Red Animal War bust onto the emo/rock scene with Deep Elm records a few years ago. They put
together some songs for some compilations and splits, then released a gorgeous debut full-length
entitled "Breaking In an Angel." They haven't looked back since. They have gone through a couple line-up
changes and some different record labels, but they have kept their crisp, insightful and powerful
songwriting and delivery, and now they've put out "Seven Year War" - a compilation of old and new songs
that is smart, spastic album that will stroke you in the right places, then kick you in the kneecap, and
maybe kiss and make up later.

The press materials from "Seven Year War" call it the album that best encapsulates Red Animal War.
There are 13 tracks, 12 songs, 6 new, and six older rare and live tracks. Each song is violent but
touching, graceful and destructive at the same time. The album starts off fast and continues at a speedy
clip all the way through, only pausing to catch its breathe once or twice, throw in a pretty instrument or breakdown, then breakdown the door again with blistering guitars, bass and drums.

Seven Year War has a dark, intense feeling to it. The songs are guitar driven and the lyrics are moody,
cryptic and dark - but often brilliantly appropriate for the music. But with all the dark and guitars, the
band hasn't forgotton that music is a tool to make you dance too. The bass and drums, and
occasionally some backing vocals, throw down the funk.

Red Animal War has worked with producers like Ed Rose and J. Robbins - who've recorded albums
for the Get Up Kids, Coalesce, Against Me and Dismemberment Plan - and toured with bands like
Brandston, Slowride and Desert City Soundtrack. They have a sound similar to the Fugazi/DC sound,
mixed with some White Stripes/Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the Black Keys. They are powerful
and precise and Seven Year War is an album that delivers, not just 12 good songs, but a distinct
mindset and heartfelt drama through the air straight to year ear drums.

The album also contains enhanced CD features with 9 videos - and even though the band is
from Texas they aren't big George W. Fans, as told by the video for the song "The Sky Above and
the Sky Below - and lyrics to the new songs. The videos are interesting, dark, edgy and funny,
just like the band. Check em out.

Reviewed by : Mike Hammer