The Sound of Animals Fighting - The Ocean and The Sun [2008]

The Sound of Animals Fighting is, for all of those living under a rock for the past 6 or so years, a super-group made up of some of the biggest names in the post-hardcore (and ska?) scene. Formed by Rich Balling of ex-RX Bandits fame, the group really never actually got together but was emailed their part which they then recorded and sent back to Rich, who put it all together. From what I understand, all of the music is actually written by Rich himself (it's difficult to write a song when you only know what you're supposed to play) so it's technically a Balling project with a lot of guests. But super group is a much cooler thing to call it. The band features Anthony Green, Craig Owens, Rich Balling, and members of many other bands including Finch, The RX Bandits, and Good Old War. The Ocean and The Sun is the band's third release and it hits that sweet spot between the 2 previous efforts. It has hard parts, it has weird parts, but overall it's a really solid record. Really chill music a lot of the time (title track, I, The Swan) and also really upbeat at other times (The Heraldic Beak of the Manufacturer's Medallion, Uzbekistan). Just a good all around mix feature some of my favorite artists of this day.

Genre: Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: RX Bandits, The Mars Volta, Circa Survive
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. The Ocean and The Sun
3. I, The Swan
4. Another Leather Lung
5. Lude
6. Cellophane
7. The Heraldic Beak of the Manufacturer's Medallion
8. Chinese New Year
9. Uzbekistan
10. Blessing Be Yours Mister V
11. Ahab
12. On The Occasion of Wet Snow


- A