• Record Label: New Line
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2007
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Each of the eleven tracks within Grand Animals can be broken down and taken apart as a stand-alone piece--individually they hint at manner of pop rock sounds--but none carries enough weight to eclipse the album.
  2. Thanks in part to buoyant production from Italian composer-producer Daniele Luppi (Gnarls Barkley, John Legend), though, Grand Animals comes off less Robbery than sweet tribute.
  3. The group has balanced its studio ambition with just the right amount of real world restraint, coming up with a disc that actually improves on the first while maintaining the trio's wry quirks.
  4. Ben Trokan's fractured narratives get the space they need to keep this from becoming a Britpop mudslide.
  5. Spin
    70
    That tight, compressed punch [of staccato guitar rhythms] is augmented by subtle orchestrations whose airy ambience hints at the chameleon funk of David Bowie and the dance minimalism of early B-52's. [Aug 2007, p.106]
  6. Stripping down to a three-piece on the new ‘Grand Animals’ has actually made them more ornate.
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. lepoussinv.
    Sep 11, 2007
    8
    Just like it.
  2. ApplePie
    Aug 30, 2007
    10
    Awesome album ....just what I expected from this band.
  3. terrik.
    Aug 14, 2007
    8
    Many of these songs have a retro sound which actually sounds very fresh & interesting coming from a group of young modern New Yorkers. The Many of these songs have a retro sound which actually sounds very fresh & interesting coming from a group of young modern New Yorkers. The boys' talent really shines thru each tune, with Ben's voice sounding full and rich and perfectly tuned. They are extremely good musicians and I expect great things in the future from them. Grand Animals is a superb step ahead for them to becoming a leading indie rock band. Full Review »