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24/02/00 NME online review
The Animalhouse
Oxford Zodiac
Hmmmm. An Oxford-based supergroup featuring two former members of
Ride
and a backroom genius who produced and played on Supergrass' debut. Named
after the classic John Landis fraternity flick that starred the late John
Belushi. Can't be right, can it?
Time was when the mere mention of the word
'supergroup' was enough to make you
sick and delirious. Truth is, though, that The Animalhouse have arrived
fully formed, armed with the kind of professional stance that can win over a
heaving crowd of hometown peers and sceptics who've barely been exposed to
them.
Singer Mark Gardener is barely recognisable from his former self,
looking like a man who's been burnt by rock'n'roll, back to exact revenge. His
guitar's slung low, his hair's short and cropped. It's a marked contrast to
ex-producer Sam Williams, who seems to love the spotlight.
Together, they make a sound that marries dance grooves and The Banana
Splits keyboards to spiked guitars and four-part harmonies. The standout
track at the moment is their squalling debut single 'Animal', although
its B-side 'Essence' also has its moments. After the disappointment of Andy
Bell's Hurricane #1, maybe we're about to find out who the talented
ones in Ride really were.
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