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Cover of Not Animal

Not Animal

Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s

7 October 2008

Indie Rock

Average
5.9
Ratings
17
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Reviews
8
Lists
0
Tracklist 12 tracks, 48:37
  1. 1A Children's Crusade on Acid4:12
  2. 2German Motor Car4:06
  3. 3Broadripple Is Burning4:40
  4. 4Holy Cow!3:42
  5. 5Cold, Kind, and Lemon Eyes4:38
  6. 6Hello Vagina3:42
  7. 7As Tall as Cliffs4:01
  8. 8Real Naked Girls2:43
  9. 9Pages Written on a Wall4:20
  10. 10The Shivers (I've Got 'Em)4:28
  11. 11The Ocean (Is Bleeding Salt)3:23
  12. 12Hip Hip Hooray4:42

Reviews

8/10

I had never heard of Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s before this, and Not Animal turned out to be quite a pleasant listen. First, one thing needs putting straight, because the as of now highest review on this site has it the wrong way round. When the band delivered their second album to Epic Records, the label wanted a different track list, and the compromise was to release two versions at the same time. Animal! is the band’s preferred version and came out on vinyl only. Not Animal (this one) is the label’s preferred version, and it’s the one I’m reviewing here. Five of the 12 songs appear on both.

The album reminds me a bit of Eels, Broken Social Scene, and of other late 2000s indie, with some Arcade Fire in there as well, which suits the era. It’s good music even if it’s not completely out there, and there are probably better albums in this style, but this is definitely not a bad one. I like what they do with the rhythms, including a few polyrhythms that almost combust. Behind some of the otherwise standard indie pop and indie rock songs there’s a dragging, sometimes disharmonious guitar hum that gives it a bit of an edge, and I quite enjoy that.

Maybe not a must-listen, but I personally really enjoy it.

6/10

This was fine. Not unpleasant, but it didn't stand out in any way.

6/10

Fairly middle of the road indie. Nothing really sets this apart from the droves of acts just like it. By times they sound like Radiohead (I hate those moments.... Fuck Thom Yorke.)

Favourite songs: Broadripple Is Burning, Holy Cow!, As Tall As Cliffs, A Children's Crusade on Acid

Least favourite songs: "Cold, Kind, and Lemon Eyes", Hello Vagina

3/5

8/10

I'm beginning to wonder if I have a great taste in music, or if I'm just a bit of a dick who thinks music should sound like music I like. I really wanted to hate this, but it moved in some really interesting directions, and I started to wonder if I really should hate music of this genre/era.

5/10

Indie Rock of the whiny guy variety

6/10

Good indie album enjoyed this, not sure I’ll return to it though.

6/10

Some music.
One half of a 'double album', but which was released separately, and with some of the same songs on both - cash grab?
Not offensively bad, but not overly memorable.