Animal Names (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Chris van der Laan – guitar, wurlitzer, vocals
Brad Mey – guitar, vocals
Melissa Gregerson – organ, piano, synths, vocals
Tom Hillifer – bass, vocals
Bart Newman – drums, vocals
Let It Been (Boat Dreams From The Hill)
Animal Names state their case to be remembered fondly with their bittersweet swan song, Let It Been. The Canadian band has skillfully crafted an emotional journey that is as playful as it is touching. Residing somewhere between soulful indie pop and guitar power pop, Animal Names reaffirm the simplicity of smart, textured songwriting with wit to boot!
Blending together punky, intertwining guitars with a melodic complexity, Animal Names’ restrained approach eschews cheap hooks in favor of embracing subtlety. At the heart of Animal Names is the band’s endearing lyrical tongue. The introspective imagery, while quirky, is ripe with romanticism and delivered without any sign of pretense. Oh, and that delivery! The dual male/female exchange of vocals are perfectly suited along side the energetic atmospheres of the band’s arrangements. Yet, as constantly diverse as the band’s songwriting is throughout, Let It Been still comes off sounding amazingly cohesive from beginning to end.
Therein lays the bittersweet symphony that is Let It Been. Sad to say, Animal Names called it quits after this recording. This album stands tall though as a testament to a brilliant moment in time where unbridled creativity blossomed into a fractured creation. Animal Names coming to an end may be sad but Let It Been is the joyous celebration at the wake.
Press Contact: Will Miller – will@beartrappr.com
