Hot New Band: Animal Kingdom
MP3
Animal Kingdom
Oasis might be finished, but fans of epic Britpop need not fret. The earnest if slightly melancholy British arena pop of South London newcomers Animal Kingdom has the grandiose aspirations of Snow Patrol and Coldplay, tinged with the edgy swagger of '90s bands like Gay Dad and Mansun.
On top of entrancing dual guitar lines on "Two by Two," a cut off their debut album Signs and Wonders (just released digitally in the U.S.), frontman Richard Sauberlich's androgynous crooning chronicles a re-imagined version of Noah's Ark, where humans, not subjects of the, ahem, animal kingdom, are spared from divine wrath.
"I found an old children's illustrated Bible ... with these great pictures of the animals going into the ark," Sauberlich tells SPIN.com. "I'd also found an old copy of The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris in a second hand bookshop in Camden market, and the two kind of grew into this tune."
Stream the track and tell us whether it would make it onto your musical ark, or if it shouldn't escape the flood.
LISTEN: Animal Kingdom, "Two By Two"
9 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By popscene10
12.28.09 4:50 AM
So rare anymore to find a band like Animal Kingdom that is capable of causing an immediate reaction. I haven't been this impressed with a band at first listen since the verve, stone roses or ride put out their first albums. I would EASILY put Animal Kingdom in the same category of "song greatness" as the above mentioned. Hands down.
- Posted By Michael
11.15.09 11:36 PM
Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite new British rock bands in a long time, which is saying a lot because it felt like we've only been hearing rehashed Coldplay for the past few years. There's something special about them, though, and I think its that they also touch on the American indie sound that makes them distinct from the rest. Really great to finally hear something good out of the UK!
- Posted By Chris Cahill
11.14.09 8:36 PM
Loved the Animal Kingdom song!
03.14.10 1:17 PM
at university:):)