I was going to originally review both Animusic 1 and Animusic 2, but I am way too busy (not to mention separated from my animusic discs, and I refuse to watch the YouTube rips), so I will have to post what I have so far. A complete review and ranking of every song in Animusic 1, a whole month in the making, then delayed for about a month because of moving, then I got lazy… So here it is. Expect Animusic 2 reviews and rankings to come probably around winter, and maybe a full review and ranking comprising both discs around that time as well.
In case you aren’t familiar with Animusic, Animusic is a digital album created by Wayne Lytle and David Crognale. It was designed to be the first of its kind, a full album where every “music video” was computer animated. Animusic 1 came out in 2001 to much critical acclaim. It was heralded for its use of computer visuals and distinct MIDI style of song. Animusic 2 would follow in 2005, completing Animusic for now, as Animusic 3 has yet to be released. If you haven’t I would recommend looking into the commentary tracks for Animusic 1 and 2, as they provide the most information about the creation and reception of Animusic, and they are a great way to spend an afternoon. So without further ado, here’s a review of every song from Animusic 1.
Track 1: Future Retro
Future retro is the first song on the first disk of Animusic, so its the first experience you get to animusic granted you haven’t seen any of the viral clips making it around the internet at the time of its release, and man does it deliver in giving you a taste of what’s to come.
Future retro makes heavy use of what I will call the “synth laser” from here on out. The entire song is done in this 80s rock style, with the synth laser being the most prominent instrument, as well as the most visually spectacular. However, there is also a crazy 3 neck guitar/bass in the center of the scene, which surprisingly is mostly used for accompaniment to the laser. Along side this, there is a drum robot in the back, showing off even more of what’s to come. The song itself uses many of these instruments to create a very interesting vibe. One of the most notable things, I especially noticed it when I was a kid, was the use of the flute segment to break up the more heavy rock segments. This always struck me as an interesting choice, and a cool one at that. Along side the synth laser, green lasers and these choir synth lasers are used, which give that futuristic vibe the title implies. Overall, this song is a really solid start, and a perfect introduction to animusic. Its a song with a style that is familiar, being an 80s style rock song, and features some very interesting imagery. Overall, its biggest shortcoming isn’t anything it does specifically, but what the songs later in the album do. Solid start to a solid album.
Track 2: Stick figures
Best song in the album. Done.
Anyway, this song sums up pretty much everything I love about animusic, and even back when I was a kid, this was my favorite song in Animusic 1 by far. I even remember in school art class making a model of the bells + flute + gong instrument.
The instruments used in Stick Figures shows the full creativity of animusic at work. With the lead fretless bass, apparently called “Mr Stick” (best character by the way) to the large stack of brass horns, to even the massive array of drums, to even a few synth lasers (what would an animusic song be without them).
Just like Future Retro, most of the lead is taken by the synth lasers, however every single instrument is pretty much given time in the spotlight. One interesting thing, halfway through the song, the tone shifts to this slower darker tone, however none of the instruments change, they are just used differently, which allows some instruments which don’t fit the main mood of the song to have some much needed spotlight time. And man, the instruments really carry this song. From the opening with Mr. Stick just setting the mood, to the brass picking up, and eventually the laser taking over and really setting the song into full motion. And as the song goes on, you start to notice other instruments getting gradually added, all of which start to form a more full picture. And by the end, it comes to a satisfying close, with pretty much every instrument being active and harmonizing together into the melody of the song. Overall, I still stand by that this is one of the best, if not the absolute best song of animusic 1.
Track 3: Aqua Harp
Before i begin the review, lets talk about the transition from track 2 to track 3. Usually in an album, artists will try to fade one song into another, for example starting a drum beat which is picked up in the next song. This translates slightly harder to something like animusic since we have to establish which instruments are being played, and starting them already playing robs you of the experience of admiring the creative designs. However since animusic is a visual medium, the songs don’t necessarily have to transition, but the visuals can, and in this situation, the camera pans up to the stars in Stick Figures, which gradually turns into the star painted ceiling in Aqua Harp. A small touch, but I really like it. Anyway, on to the review.
Aqua Harp was always my least favorite song on the animusic 1 disk, but that’s not saying its a bad song. The way I would describe it is “atmospheric”. The scenery of Aqua Harp is very relaxing, with a large harp taking center stage, and also being the only instrument played, with all instruments other than the harp being connected to it. The harp itself is placed in the middle of a pool of water. Through out the song, a water sound can be heard in the background, which really helps with the atmosphere, as Aqua Harp is a really quiet song.
As for the song itself, the song is really slow and relaxing. I disliked it as a kid simply because it wasn’t as fast paced as the rest of the songs on the album, and the visuals weren’t as interesting. However, I can now appreciate the departure from the other styles of the songs. Aqua Harp uses a mix of string instruments, like the harp and cello, along side the flue and chimes. The use of these specific instruments creates a very interesting mood, coupled with the water and visuals, its very relaxing. Personally, while I do still think the song is not my favorite, I can appreciate it a lot more, and I do genuinely enjoy it a lot more too. Just sadly overshadowed by the others in this collection.
Track 4: Drum Machine
Next up we have one of the more interesting style songs. Drum Machine takes places in some machine which uses many different sizes of gears, and uses those gears to play different drums. One nice touch is in the background, the chugging of gears can be heard, and they keep perfect time with the song playing.
Over all, the drums are very cool, and it is very cool seeing all the gears moving. Lighting is also heavily used, mostly when symbols crash, but also when the rack of larger drums is moved down. This all contributes to one of the coolest scenes in animusic.
The song itself makes heavy use of percussion, in fact it only uses percussion. The song can be split up into about 3 sections, when new instruments are introduced, which happens 3 times over the song, the rhythm played on the drums changes to allow the new instruments to shine. Overall its a pretty cool sound. I’m personally not that into drum line songs, so I think most of the other songs overshadow the actual song that Drum Machine plays, however the scenery of it is worth the watch alone.
Track 5: Pipe Dream
Now if you saw any animusic clip, its probably this one. This song went viral on the internet due to its unique scene, and man, is it unique. Its probably my favorite scene of them all. Pipe Dream takes place in some factory, with a bunch of pipes shooting metal balls into instruments to create a sound. The creativity in this is crazy. You can see the level of detail in the pipes snaking around the floor, to the position of the instruments, to even which instruments where chosen. The thing that made this song so magical at the time was the idea that “this _could_ exist.” Hell, I even knew some people who thought it *did* exist. Hell it really *DOES* exist. Thanks Intel.
Anyway, the scene aside, this song is really solid. The opening to this song, with the gradual buildup of the banjo like instrument is awesome, just to have it pass the torch to a smaller, higher pitched banjo, just to then pass the torch to the drums, which might I add are some of the coolest drums in animusic. As well the bells this time being in the form of the bell flower, with chimes that descend from the ceiling. Also as the song goes on, marimba pieces scroll across a track above the drums, which basically take over the melody of the song. All of this creates a very unique song, one that I don’t think could exist on something that wasn’t animated. I still have to say most of the fun of this song comes from watching the balls hit the instruments and eventually find their way back home. And not even to mention, the song itself is really good to boot. Overall one of the most iconic songs of animusic and for good reason.
Track 6: Acoustic Curves
As a kid, is disliked Acoustic Curves a lot. I think it was completely due to the opening riffs, which are kind of annoying to me even today. But after listening to it again I just can’t stop. The main chorus of the song is incredibly catchy, despite not having any lyrics.
The overall scene for this one is very simple compared to the rest of the songs on animusic so far. This one seems to just take place in some wooden void, with wood paneling stretching from the dark depths to whatever the light is coming from. Weirdly enough, as a kid this one always reminded me of my Dad’s office, since all of the furniture in his office had that same wood panel look, and even the same color. Weird how some memories just stick with you like that. Other than the lackluster scene though, the instruments are really well designed, and really cool. The gimmick of this song is that almost all instruments are acoustic as the name implies, and they are played by small hammers that rest near the string being played. This is really creative, and grounded in reality. I really like it personally.
As for the song itself, it has a really cool style of being layered, with new instruments gradually descending from the heavens, ultimately forming the complete song towards the end, before gracefully deconstructing. This style is always something I’ve loved, so I’m not really sure why I didn’t like this as a kid. The instruments played are also really cool. I’m not a really big fan of the first two “guitar” like things, but once the bass and drums get into the mix, the song really takes off. I really like (as a bass player) their inclusion of a slap and pop. This lets the bass play more of a slap bass style, which sounds incredibly good. Its also cool to see things modeled like a sustain damper which gets turned on when the song really starts to take off. Overall Acoustic Curves is really solid, I really like it. Now if it could only get out of my damn head.
Track 7: Harmonic Voltage
I remember always disliking Harmonic Voltage as a kid as well because it meant that the movie was over… However I really like it now. In fact, just like Acousitc Curves, its now completely stuck in my head. For some reason these old melodies just come back to me and don’t leave.
As a kid I was obsessed with technology infrastructure for some reason, and I really liked the design of Harmonic Voltage, looking like it was power lines and radio towers, with this cool laser stuff shooting off of it. The center of the stage has a power pylon which is the source of the guitar sounds, with the synth guitar being purple, and the guitar solo guitar being more of a green. Under the pylon is a set of drums along with a synth bass. Overall its pretty cool to look at. Surrounding the pylon is a set of radio antennas and pylons that look like they supply or catch the voltage of the center pylon. There are also these cool little antennas with blue lights that make a cool dropping tone.
As for the song itself, It has a very cool sound. It has a more hybrid rock sound, sort of like an 80s rock song, but mixed with more of an early 2000s electric synth music sound. I particularly love the electric sound that is portrayed with the lasers. I also always liked the green rings that make that cool dropping sound as a kid. The guitar solo being played on the central pole was also a really cool touch.
Anyway, fade to credits. And that’s animusic 1. What an absolutely solid end to an absolutely solid album.
Animusic 1 rankings
- Stick Figures
- Pipe Dream
- Future Retro
- Acoustic Curves
- Harmonic Voltage
- Drum Machine
- Aqua Harp
To be honest, Animusic 1 is completely solid. There is not a single song that falls flat, and as well, there is not a single song that feels like it wasn’t take to the absolute maximum with creative potential. Such a solid album.