Emotionally Charged
Dug Pinnick was right to name his album 'Emotional Animal' for that is exactly the impression given with his new record. This is an impressive collection of expansive epics that cry out with real-life feeling and emotion. There's a whole host of different sounds to be found throughout the songs- 'Crashing' for instance melds Dug's devilishly indulgent voice to raging guitars and the faintest hint of turntable tinkerings- unobtrusive yet vital to give this song the fleshed out feel that it proudly bares. The tuned down bass overrides everything but the uplifting ending to 'Beautiful', "Don't forget you're beautiful" Dug Pinnick croons lovingly into the microphone. The song fades away into the slower pace of 'Change'. With everything toned down, the lyrics come to the fore and fans are going to be quick to notice the vast improvement in vocal skills. Deep, heavy and melodic, this is the kind of voice that should be paired with heavier guitar music.
'Noon' slows the pace down even further, but provides a mournful guitar solo to kick start the track before the detuned bass makes its entry into this tantalizing mixture of emotions. It's here that Dug really manages to live up to the album name- encapsulating that uneasy state when you don't quite know how you feel within only a few words. The breezy guitar work keeps things moving and the song draws to a satisfying conclusion at five and a half minutes. You won't find yourself urging the work of Pinnick to come to an end faster like some bands. It's almost as though the album is tailor made to your own specifications, because none of this album will bore no matter how you like your music.
'Noon' blends into the epic 'Missing' that draws on a solid verse to allow the more fragile chorus to shine. This is something that happens at regular intervals throughout the rest of the album, but next track 'Equal Rights' sounds almost like a red-neck barn dance in aid of legalizing weed. With such an unusual track nestled in-between what seems to be the norm of Pinnick's work, you can't say the man doesn't know how to experiment.
'Zepp' is a more raucous addition to the album, with a heavy, oh-so-classy swagger and a loud and proud attitude. Pinnick's voice really suits the rugged expanse of this song and his bass work is unrivalled. 'Bite' purrs like something produced by Tool, yet there's the deceptive chorus that's far too uplifting to be the creation of Maynard James Keenan.
'Keep Up' and 'Are You Gonna Come' also contain that dark sway combined with filthy bass lines and lyrics almost every listener will be able to relate to. 'Wrong' sees Pinnick take another unusual turn with echoed vocals. At only a minute long, it's not long before the funky sway of 'Freak The Funk Out' hits your ears with tribal styled drumming and a highly enjoyable funky feel with the dirtiest bass line found on the album.
It's a certainty that if you enjoy the dark swagger of Tool you'll find yourself tumbling head over heels for Dug Pinnick's latest solo effort.