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Facing the Animal
Internet Poll Results
[totaled on May 12,
1998]
Most Favorite
Song
1. Like An Angel
2. My
Resurrection
3. Facing the Animal
4. Braveheart
5. Sacrifice
6.
Another Time
Song with Most Killer
Riff
1. My Resurrection
2.
Braveheart
3. Facing the Animal
4. Poison in Your Veins
5.
Enemy
6. Sacrifice
Least Favorite
Song
1. "I don't have a least
favorite."
2. Alone in Paradise
3. Another Time
4. Only the
Strong
5. Casting Pearls Before the Swine
Album Review By guitarist Joe LaBanco, USA
I obtained
a copy of the Japanese import of Facing the Animal from Hegewisch
Records in Calumet City, IL. I was spellbound--the compositions are pure
genius! Better than ever, which is saying an awful lot, since Yngwie has
routinely soared above the heights with each album. I find it amazing that he
is able to maintain the same style and yet continually reinvent himself. The
solos, as well as the parts of the songs, all bear distinct Malmsteen
trademarks but still throw constant curves at the listener--just when they
think they can predict what's coming next.
As I write, I've got my CD player on shuffle 1
disk/repeat, and I'm just gathering impressions. "Only the Strong" has such an
incredible intro and solo, I love the rhythm guitar part! I must say that Mats
Leven irritated me very slightly at first - he sings "Yeah" a lot, and makes an
"uh" sound at the end of many words in a way that reminded me curiously of a
southern preacher. But I've gotten used to these idiosyncrasies after repeated
listening and am starting to really appreciate his performance - especially on
"Like an Angel," "Another Time," "Alone in Paradise," "End of My Rope," and
"Only the Strong." I guess I like the clean style of singing rather than the
raspier. Like Mike Vescera, Mats gets pretty nasty at times but proves himself
very capable of high, clear and powerful singing. I love the little nuance in
"Another Time" on the word "always" when he sings "always pretending to be
strong." So emotional and dramatic.
I love the Irish licks on "Braveheart"; the
quirky climbing vocal line and stunning solo interlude of "My Resurrection";
the awesome 7/4 groove of "Enemy"; the verses, classical bridge and background
for the solo and wonderful interlude of "Heathens from the North"; and the
fabulous orchestration of strings and guitars in "Like an Angel." (I'm digging
Mats L. more and more. It's amazing what repeated hearings can open up in any
Yngwie album. His genius is too great to be fully grasped at any one time.
Sadly, many people never grasp it at all.) I also like the little extra tag at
the end of the bridge in "Poison in Your Veins," not to mention another
magnificent interlude! I love the absolutely heart-rending intro & outro
and ultra-cool rhythm guitar and keyboard parts of "Only the Strong"; the
wonderful Styx-like vocals of "Alone in Paradise" (especially the contrast
between Mats's smoky verses and wide-open choruses); and the rhythm riff and
wild bluesy lick in "Sacrifice" (another outstanding solo interlude!).
The way Yngwie takes an almost typical Malmsteen interlude and intersperses
short choir bursts is another example of his ability to reinvent
himself!
I also want to point out the tremendous vocal
on "End of My Rope"; the grinding rhythm in stark contrast to the soaring
guitar melody at the beginning and later in "Facing the Animal"; the
infectiously catchy hooks of "Another Time" (another great interlude -
Mats is SUPERB on this one! As is Mats O., of course); and the breathtaking
beauty of "Air on a Theme." I'm really glad I got the import or I would've
missed "Casting Pearls Before the Swine" -- Cozy kicks ass throughout the whole
affair. Thunderous and precise! Barry and Yngwie both KILL on bass, and
literally every solo and lead break is mind-boggling, just burning with
unprecedented intensity and passion. The sound quality is perfect as well -
Yngwie's grown into as great of a producer as he is a musician and composer. He
and Chris Tsangarides are obviously a winning team.
In short, the album has already become my
favorite! Yngwie's use of orchestration has been blossoming from "Eclipse" on,
and Mats Olausson is the perfect keyboard player to bring it to life on band
albums, but hearing his powerful orchestral parts is making me even more
impatient to hear the Concerto Suite! |
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