Anadivine

Zoo

The Militia Group 2004

CD Review By Keith Joseph, Rockstarpix.TV

 

Anadivine released their first ep on SideCho Records which was self-titled and it was a pretty good effort from the youngsters. They were quickly signed to The Militia Group afterward, and they released their debut full-length in just months. Their ep was a good-effort but they did not really showcase their talents and influences. “Zoo” was the time when the band should show their stuff and they really did.

The album begins with a fast rock song that begins with “Let’s start this off by burning down our bridges”. “Adding Insult to Injury” is an awesome opening track; the energy of the song is profound and starts the album with a bang. The second song “Dangerous Mixed With” is a good song, showing their prog-rock style. It is fueled by Justin Meyers percussion and the song gains a lot of interest with the great dual guitar playing of William Manley and Michael Saracino. The chorus has a very exuberant rock feel and really makes the listener get into the music. “Alcohol and Oxygen” is a song that the band re-recorded for the full length and many of the fans will agree that this was a good move. The song is more emo than most the song on the album but really shows a more emotional, heartfelt side of the band and also keeps the tempo of the album at equilibrium. Many fans will agree that this was the best track on their previous ep. The vocals of Sean Paul Pillsworth are a real highpoint of the song and the overall record. He sounds a lot like the former lead singer of fellow rockers who broke up, Keepsake.

“Yes Sir Mr. Machine” is a great pop-rock song and really brightens up the album. The chorus is fast and catchy and makes you bop your head back and forth with the drum rhythm. The dual guitars make this song a must listen and the great vocals. “Love, Lost and Fake Integrity” starts off with a drum line that sounds as if it may be a dance type song. If a white glove and dance shoes are in your mind to being the song, you won’t be the only one. As the vocals begin, the dance theme leaves but a very slow, lax song begins and the band showcases a great song. The song changes tempo with every change in tone of the singer’s voice. It’s one of the catchiest songs on the album. The song is followed by another catchy song “Capitol Arrangement”. The sounds in this song are very intricate and well developed, presents the more mature sound of Anadivine. The breakdown half way through the song keeps the listener interested and soon after the tempo revives itself and the chorus leads into a great guitar solo and finishes the song quite nicely. The ninth track on the album, “Fountain Imperfection” is the most bi-polar song on the album. The song seems as if it is lost, depressed and the chorus brings out the anger of the song and the lyrics are very strong at this point. “You peel the skin right off your bones, how beautiful are you then?” are just a little bit off what the song has to offer. The bongo drums in the song keeps their creativity in check. “Duet from the Dead” is a great finishing track. The melodies are magnificent; the additional female vocals in the song really make it a charm. The song sounds great and finishes the album in epic proportions. This is a perfect finisher to an exciting debut album.

Anadivine has matured a lot since their first release and really show it with “Zoo”. The cover art is almost as mysterious as the music is itself. The band could be the Next Big Thing in the prog-rock scene if they haven’t already captured that title.

This album would be for fans of Coheed and Cambria, The Juliana Theory and Brazil. The vocals could be easily compared to the style of Keepsake, so check them out if you love really good rock music.

Keith Joseph

Rating: A - 9 *(Excellent, solid consistent and cohesive musical effort. Classic, must have material for any collection)

Significant Tracks- “Alcohol and Oxygen”, “Love, Lust and Fake

Integrity”, “Dangerous Mixed With”, “Duet from the Dead”

www.anadivine.com

www.themilitiagroup.com