Animal Confession
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Animal Confession

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | SELF

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | SELF
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"Animal Confession - Perfect Alternative hard rock from Canada"

Everyday, I meet new groups from all over the world. Today, our guest is Animal Confession from Ottawa, Canada. If you like, alternative and hard rock influenced by 90’s sound, the exciting band will fascinate you. They describe themselves that their music combines Deftones’ toughness with Smashing Pumpkins and The Cure’s moodiness. There are many bands describe themselves as this way. Animal Confession is one of the bands deserves this description. I heard many ordinary bands’ music in alternative genres that they ape well-known bands from past and present. The band is not a band performs the same lack of creativity. Animal Confession has a unique sound that they show difference between influence and aping. You could listen to a song from their upcoming album. If you visit their official website, you could find more songs to listen. - World Music Blog


"Animal Confession - Bright Light, Dark Eyes"

“Drown In You” opens up Bright Light, Dark Eyes with a sweet sounding Guitar Riff and Drum combination. The heaviness of the riff was a little short lived as the song progressed into a slower and softer sounding tempo, however the slower tempo does not stay for the entire duration of the songs. The slower tempo helps progress the sound of Andrew’s vocals. It took a couple of times listening to the song before I could fully take in the entire song. I definitely enjoyed the heavier aspect of the song then the lighter and slower end. Nearing the end of the songs there is a ten second break for the opening distortion filled guitar solo which progresses the ending of the song.

“Fade Away” right now stands to be one of my favourite songs off of Bright Light, Dark Eyes. A Deep cut guitar riff starts the song off; this intro riff is probably one of my favourite ones off the album. The vocals in the song stand out quite frequently as you might be expecting more of an alternative/ raspy edgier sounding vocals but Andrew provides us with a mid range flowing rock sound. There is a little bit of lighter sounding guitar noise that is played throughout the background of the song that helps fill in the song. There is a lengthy minute long instrumental break after the halfway mark through the song which would be interesting to catch during a live performance as the instrumental break could be easily extended and altered. “Fade Away” finishes off as strong as the song began.

Bright Light, Dark Eyes is comprised of many different influences, compositions and genres. For me I enjoyed the heavier alternative tracks including “Drown In You”, “Fade Away” and “A Thousand Lies”. I can see a couple of radio play possibilities from the album but not coming from the alternative tracks but from a couple of the slower tracks but more so from the last song “Wave Goodbye”. For radio play to happen I believe the guys are going to have to push pretty hard to achieve national commercial radio, but for University and College Radio stations I’m pretty sure they will find themselves with a couple of tracks being played. The album is slated to be released on October 23rd, but for now you can watch the first music video here.
- Kingston Music Reviews


"Animal Confession - Dark, spacey, and ambient"

Animal Confession: Dark, spacey and Ambient
Animal Confession is one of those bands that immediately sinks into your soul and grabs your pulse with their energetic and enthusiastic alternative rock sounds. Their music encapsulates much of the good we've heard in rock music over the past 40 years. elements of grunge, classic rock, alt-rock and a big U2 influenced sound drive this Canadian band.

Their first full album "Bright Light, Dark eyes" will be released in October 2012. The album was mostly recorded at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario and was produced by Chris Crerar. Crerar has also worked with Prince, Nelly Furtado, Peter, Bjorn and John and others.

Animal Confession sites Pink Floyd, Nirvana, U2, Nine Inch Nails and The Cure amongst their influences. With their finely crafted music this band is destined for greatness. Keep your eyes on these guys.
- Randall Webb - Discover 'em Here


"Animal Confession - Bright Light, Dark Eyes Review"

Face it, modern rock is a boring machine that is often times best remembered as a great icon from the 70s to the 90s, not necessarily in the past 12 years. Sure, in 2000 a lot of great music came out, but not so much from bands that were forming around that time, but perennial number ones and hard touring bands. There are bright lights though, and oddly enough the title of this album from Animal Confession titled “Bright Light, Dark Eyes” really caught me off guard. I was expecting another attempt to capture glory past, but this tight knit group of rockers really put a nice spin on rock music.
The record has 10 tracks, and really comes across as something professional, and timing wise, would fit comfortably in the top 40 of alternative rock radio. You go through different types of rock music here, from soft and cozy interludes to heavy and melodic break downs, never really stopping in one area, but progressing through musical landscapes often times forgotten by overly produced records.
While there are some spots where the listener might want to throw in the towel, the guitar saves the day, or a bass line trumps up something unique. Towards the latter half of the record, you can start to picture this band’s music in a movie soundtrack of an action movie, or a trailer, somewhere amidst what you expect from high adrenaline. Bringing forth thoughts of Pavement, Fugazi, and even Deftones at times, you truly get a nice well-rounded finish on an impressive record.
I liked it, even if there were times where I wanted the sound to be less treble and more bass. All in all, Animal Confession is on their way to a long career if they continue to put out quality modern rock with a heavy tone here and there. It’s solid, and even radio friendly, but that’s not a bad thing. Check out “Bright Light, Dark Eyes” today, via their official website.
- Sir Jorge Oduna


"CD Review - Bright Light, Dark Eyes"

To hear of the musical roots of Ottawa’s Animal Confession, one wonders how they arrived at the sonic plane they inhabit. Vocalist and guitarist Andrew Gharib first slipped into the music world at age six via classical piano lessons; bassist Patrick Quesnel, on the other hand, grabbed a bass, summoned the grunge within, and joined a band on a seeming whim during his teens. From these roots, what emerged was an experimental, moody hard rock sound that evokes the careful forethought compositions of Pink Floyd and Tool and the dark experimental daring of Trent Reznor, while veering into retro, hook-laden vibes reminiscent of The Cure or perhaps early Depeche Mode.

It’s been a long time since a hard rock act truly engaged me, but Animal Confession has done it with their debut album, Bright Light, Dark Eyes. I was lucky enough to be offered a taste in advance of its October 2012 release; allow me to tempt your musical taste buds with a track by track look.



Drown In You: Opening track “Drown In You” slams straight into you with heavy riffs. No easing into this album. I’m immediately reminded of Stabbing Westward with the richness of Gharib’s voice and the intricate melody. The influence of Deftones is also apparent here with the build and fall of verse and chorus progression. A tale of relationships turned suffocating, it makes for a strong start. Single potential, without question. “Walls are falling all around me. She’s so heavy in my mind.”

Epidemic: The opening riff evokes U2 circa Achtung Baby! but spills immediately into something hinting at The Cure. The attention to guitar lines really makes the band stand out. Intricacy matters, and I wish more bands understood that. “What you see, what you know/Doesn’t matter anymore,“ Gharib insists, describing a world of letdown within and without – an epidemic of futility and apathy, perhaps. Very solid, sonically lush.

Fade Away: A little softer, and I stress little, there’s a more experimental feel here in terms of transitions. It works surprisingly well, even as the song seems to take a hard corner and then a U-turn, so to speak. A moody piece befitting a depressive rumination, one certainly hears the David Gilmour in between the lines.

Light My Way: Love the opening to this track, with its delicate, almost distance guitar, echoing behind soulful vocals. There’s an artistry to Gharib’s vocals – he truly has a gift for conveying emotion in each note. Shades of Depeche Mode here, but lyrically, kin to Deftones. The raw desperation of a belted shout-scream is perfect.

Bridges Burned: I could see this slipping in quite happily between tracks on Tool’s Undertow. Elements of prog and straight up hard rock blended with catchy hooks more typical of indie-rock. Animal Confession’s music gives me the uncomfortable sensation of being adrift in murky waters. That’s complimentary. “Broken down and faded… Wake me up when it’s all over.“

Love/Hate/Die: Static-loaded vocals in the background blend into the creeping guitar and almost muffled, sinister lead vocals on this one. For this band, this is perhaps a soft song, but it’s still loaded with grey clouds overhead. This is probably the track most likely to evoke Trent Reznor, although the guitar is far more impressive than a Nine Inch Nails composition. “Love/hate/die is all I know. Now it’s time to let this go.“

A Thousand Lies: Definite single potential for this track as well, with its catchy headbanging undercurrent that sounds like the bastard child of Brand New and The Smiths. The perfect song for blasting when betrayed, served straight up with a whiskey chaser. Strangely, in this song more than others, I can almost hear Simon Le Bon. It’s uncanny and awesome.

Let Me Out: After taking us down just a tad with the previous two tracks, urgent, almost playful drums underscore Gharib’s demands to be freed. There’s a taste of older Smashing Pumpkins (Cherub Rock) in this one. One criticism I have is that lyrically, several songs touch on very similar themes. Sonically, each song has its own little secrets to hear.

The Last Time: A scathing accusation of a song, the opening riff almost recalls “Where The Streets Have No Name”. Certain songs, like this one, remind me more of early Boy Hits Car than anything else. I’m surprised no one else seems to have made the connection yet in their reviews. Definitely influenced by Chris Cornell. “This is the last time that I’ll be denied… I know what you did. You cannot lie to me.”

Wave Goodbye: The album closer, I can almost hear a warped carousel tune in this one, and perhaps that’s fitting. We’re coming to the end of the ride, after all. A song of endings and letting go, there’s almost a sense of relief from the overwhelming sorrow and anger of the album in this track. Short and bittersweet, more indie-rock than the rest of the album. A standout.

Final Comments: Animal Confession, by their own admi - Open Til' Midnight


"My Random Jukebox Revew"

“Bright Light, Dark Eyes” is the debut album from the band Animal Confession. This band contacted me and asked if I would check out their music. After hearing 20 seconds of the track “Epidemic” (see video below) it caught my interest. There is a retro feel about their sound, I’m getting a 90’s feel about it but its in a real good way. I’m thinking that their music must be hitting me at the right time as I’m getting back into my rock sound (oh how I’ve missed it).

This 10 track album feels raw but I think this is why it has caught my attention. It has a more natural rock sound that makes it so easy to enjoy the musical journey the album delivers. The album may not be classic but there are no weak tracks (for me) on this album as each track can hold its own.

Normally I focus my attention on the the vocals of an album, but I found myself drawn into the guitar riffs and some kick ass drumming. I’m not saying Andrew Gharib’s vocals are bad, far from it, they are awesome and they add great depth to the music. Andrew has a great range from rip roaring power then can control a great gentle tone. But this is an album where the music steals the show and not the vocals. - My Random Jukebox


"Animal Confession - Epidemic Video"

Animal Confession recently released their new video for Epidemic. The track will be featured on their next album, due to be released this fall. Their trust was placed in director Nadeem Soumah to help with the project. The band collaborated on the concept with Nadeem. The video was shot in downtown Toronto and was filmed in a single take.

According to Andrew Gharib (vocals, guitar), “The concept of the video was zombies meets wall street. The song is about the frustration in a 9-5 type of life and how you end up feeling like a zombie and those thoughts sort of stay with you in other parts of your life.”

I really like the song and the video (maybe cause the concept hits home sometimes). I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the album later this year. - Spotlight Ottawa


Discography

Animal Confession - Bright Light, Dark Eyes

Release October 23rd, 2012

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Bio

Set to release their debut independent fulllength Bright Light, Dark Eyes, Animal Confession’s union of influences including Radiohead, Soundgarden, Tool, U2, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana
and Pink Floyd create an inimitable power and prowess. Captured by esteemed producer Chris Crerar (Prince, Nelly Furtado, Ill Scarlett), Bright Light, Dark Eyes already had a long, storied history before ever having a note committed to tape. “I first started writing for the album in May of 2009,” reveals Gharib, noting how Animal Confession grew out of what was initially a solitary venture. “Over time, I thought a whole band would help realize the full potential of the songs.
That’s when Animal Confession was born.” Eventually crossing paths with the likes of Quesnel and Grey, the band’s collaborative essence blossomed, revealing a cutting edginess and crippling girth amplified and driven home by
haunting melodies.

Band Members