Composer/Musician Reacts to ANIMALS AS LEADERS - The Brain Dance (REACTION!!!)

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  • Опубліковано 18 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 98

  • @Kolbein837
    @Kolbein837 3 роки тому +41

    Animals As Leaders - Para Mexer is a really cool classical inspired song!

  • @newworldotter8583
    @newworldotter8583 3 роки тому +34

    Animals as Leader is always a showcase of insane talent paired with an equally insane work ethic for honing your craft. They are super impressive, but as a consequence their music can be hard to listen too. To me they really shine on tracks like this one, where it feels like they're letting themselves fall into a groove. I also really like how this track feels more like a jazz track tinged with a heavy djenty distorted sound.

    • @carloss.sounds
      @carloss.sounds 3 роки тому +1

      they really showed how much cohesive they can sound in their last 2 albums

  • @ibrahimutant
    @ibrahimutant 3 роки тому +12

    On Impulse is probably my favorite melodic/chill piece of theirs, and it's from their first album. Please check out some of the early melodic stuff, too! You still are just scratching the surface!

  • @liliIiliIilil
    @liliIiliIilil 3 роки тому +14

    Yeah, Animals aren't the same proggy djent band that they started out as. It's been cool to observe their journey through the years. As for musical inspirations and the whole classical guitar playing with latin lines, the other guitarist, Javier Reyes, went to music school for classical guitar and he helps with composing these days. Although AAL was Tosin's project, Javier has had a huge influence on the music.

  • @mmatthews90
    @mmatthews90 3 роки тому +34

    To be fair to AAL, every one of their albums has a mix of crazy technical songs and beautiful melodic songs (including the first album).
    I would highly recommend "On Impulse" from the first album to show they've always had melody. It's a gorgeous song

    • @static_motion
      @static_motion 3 роки тому +11

      On Impulse, Soraya, The Price Of Everything and the Value of Nothing, Behaving Badly
      All amazing melodic works from the first album that aren't just a pure showcase of technical skill. AAL are an extremely varied band and the "technical wankery" isn't even the majority of their repertoire.

    • @mmatthews90
      @mmatthews90 3 роки тому +6

      @@static_motion totally agree with all of those. What gets me is that everyone just glosses over the entirety of the Weightless album (I guess because of the edm elements). I think some of AAL's best songs are on their first two albums.

    • @static_motion
      @static_motion 3 роки тому +1

      @@mmatthews90 Well I gotta say that I'm guilty of that to a degree. Off of Weightless, I only really listen to An Infinite Regression, Earth Departure, David, Espera and Somnarium, which were the only songs that gripped me. The rest of the album kind of bounced off me, to put it as Bryan says.

    • @mmatthews90
      @mmatthews90 3 роки тому

      @@static_motion That's fair, those are definitely my faves on the album too. And at least you give half the album a listen. I feel most just pretend the album doesn't exist which is their loss imo

    • @static_motion
      @static_motion 3 роки тому +1

      @@mmatthews90 Absolutely. I class it as my least favourite album of theirs, but that doesn't mean there aren't any good songs on it, the ones I pointed out are mind-blowing.

  • @kanametousinabasi
    @kanametousinabasi 3 роки тому +11

    At some point you should check out Javier Reyes' (the other guitarist) solo project Mestis, it's very Spanish/Latin Jazz inspired Prog Metal. Also the AAL song Physical Education would be another good song to review that showcases both technical groove as well as melodic ideas, it's kind of a more "commercially" structured song. Oh and back in the early years of the band they had a Jazz side project called T.R.A.M. featuring both Tosin & Javier, one of the drummers of Suicidal Tendencies, the saxophonist of The Mars Volta & (Tosin's now exGF) R&B singer Kelela on vocals. That would be cool to see your thoughts on.

  • @carloss.sounds
    @carloss.sounds 3 роки тому +12

    listen to the joy of motion and you're gonna see how good they can be with their compositions

  • @richardirving8144
    @richardirving8144 3 роки тому +18

    You should do some stuff from Blotted Science. Their instrumentals are absolutely mind blowingly complicated and strange

    • @Ryan-vh9bw
      @Ryan-vh9bw 3 роки тому

      This! Ron is a brilliant composer and guitarist.
      ua-cam.com/video/gKkn-YjYmCA/v-deo.html

  • @kp41221
    @kp41221 3 роки тому +32

    Anything off of their album the Joy of Motion is far more accessible in terms of melody and technicality

    • @MattJFilms
      @MattJFilms 3 роки тому +5

      The Future That Awaited Me is such a beautiful song that I feel is often overlooked on that album.

    • @geraltoftexas7631
      @geraltoftexas7631 3 роки тому +4

      Self titled is still my favorite, named my daughter Soraya partly because of it. But Joy of Motion is just such an enjoyable and easier listen.

    • @nope-z5y
      @nope-z5y 3 роки тому +2

      @@MattJFilms That one brings tears to my eyes every time.

    • @MattJFilms
      @MattJFilms 3 роки тому

      @@nope-z5y I'm right there with you brother. Takes me back to a time where I had no idea what I was doing with my life (somewhat typical 16 year old shit lol.) Looking back now, and not to be funny, it's crazy what "the future had awaiting for me." Tears of joy and relief for sure :)

  • @MrSilentj16
    @MrSilentj16 3 роки тому +9

    Finally one of the good ones! I'd also love Physical Education, or Another Year

    • @Isaiah_McIntosh
      @Isaiah_McIntosh 3 роки тому +1

      Physical education is a return to less melodic stuff though. Its funky and an awesome song but melodic definitely not.

  • @Panda_SMM
    @Panda_SMM 3 роки тому +5

    Really great to hear that you get to see the growth of this band as well, one of those bands that continue to really shine in terms of growth has always been The Contortionist and Leprous for me.
    You've also mentioned here that you like to look for drummers first to get into something, Alex Rudinger and Dan Presland always have great stuff so I'd recommend more of them when you get away from instrumental stuff.
    However when it comes to some instrumentals I would love to see from you, I've personally really been enjoying David Maxim Micic's stuff, Outrun the Sunlight, Owane, Scale the Summit.
    One of my most favorite instrumental songs lately has been Spiraling by the band Corelia, there should be a remastered version of it on youtube. I know no one really mentions this band and it's still probably just me, but it's a great time.

    • @MattJFilms
      @MattJFilms 3 роки тому

      Alex Rudinger's older Threat Signal work is seriously on another level, and very much worth the listen!

  • @Isaiah_McIntosh
    @Isaiah_McIntosh 3 роки тому +12

    Honestly if you enjoyed this kind of writing I'd recommend you check out Javier's (the other guitarist) band Mestis. Their last album eikasa (definitely butchered that name) is a masterpiece that's firmly rooted in Javier's classical and Latin american roots.

  • @ascendjz4494
    @ascendjz4494 3 роки тому +3

    The other guitarist, Javier Reyes, is a classical guitarist too. He has some stuff on youtube that's really nice

  • @yanbar3433
    @yanbar3433 3 роки тому +2

    I really love this song, because it brings nylon string guitars into metal/djent and the mixture of sound between classical guitar and 8 string electrics is just really beautiful.
    And the spanish classic influence propably comes from Javier, who is also a classical guitarist.
    While this is propably one of the most melodic songs of theirs, there are a lot of songs in between the ones, that you've heard and i'd propably recommend any one of them, so i won't start a recommendation list here.

  • @miloantezana
    @miloantezana 3 роки тому +2

    Great reaction Brian, i apreciate the post analysis of the song, i like a lot this band, but this song is something else, the first time I re listened like 4 times because is captivating music, great musicians, I would like you to react to The mars volta, day of the baphomets, beatiful chaotic song.

  • @quantum_beeb
    @quantum_beeb 3 роки тому +2

    You should check out Mestis. It is the other guitarist's solo project

  • @frodowatt4272
    @frodowatt4272 2 роки тому

    Watching this 1 year later I can honestly say this is there best or second best work of Art between this and red miso

  • @CassetteMelody
    @CassetteMelody 3 роки тому +6

    "Contortionist - Their Dogs Were Astronauts" would be a great pick for instrumental week

    • @CassetteMelody
      @CassetteMelody 3 роки тому

      "Spanish Bay - Strawberry Girls" another cool instrumental track to check out

    • @maaaaaap
      @maaaaaap 3 роки тому +4

      put band first, it's less confusing, since there is a band called the contortionist

    • @Hellion6325
      @Hellion6325 3 роки тому +1

      @@maaaaaap
      Bro I was so confused, was thinking like, is that some pre-Carpenter shit or something? Hahaha

  • @nickhaas9185
    @nickhaas9185 3 роки тому +1

    Animals as Leaders - On Impulse would be right up your alley Brian!!

  • @catbroad9249
    @catbroad9249 3 роки тому +1

    If you haven't heard Another Year by AAL, you might check it out, as it's pretty melodic as well. One of my all time favorites.

  • @jonathanhenderson9422
    @jonathanhenderson9422 3 роки тому +1

    I went through AAL discography shortly after this album was released. I think I share your ambivalence about them. I dislike the more shreddy, show-off stuff; but I love the jazzier, classical, melodic pieces like this. The really cool thing here is how neither the technicality or musicality is sacrificed for the sake of the other. There's a ton of technical complexity here, but it's also fool of mood and really beautiful aesthetic and even (dare I say) hooks, perhaps due to much of the repetition; but there's so much variation layered on top of the repetition. It's a great combination of pattern one level and surprise on the other, allowing your mind to either sink into a groove or attempt to keep up with all the changes, whichever you prefer.

  • @ignoblesavage5559
    @ignoblesavage5559 3 роки тому +1

    Bryan I'm telling you, Tempting Time is what you're looking for with "these guys" (quotes because that song truly is just tosin & drum programming...at least in the playthrough I've seen, which is my favorite version). It's not just technical it's catchy & rewarding.
    Yes, this is from his earliest work on the AAL, & I know you're kind of tracking their maturation, but this song is just different from, say, CAFO.
    Really nice pick & react here, though. Thank you.

  • @cgafken
    @cgafken 3 роки тому +1

    The whole concept behind this song is 20 notes. Either 4 groupings of quintuplets (4/4) or 5 groupings of 4 notes (5/4)
    Sometimes the guitar will be in 5 while the drums are in 4 or vise versa but the band is always phrasing in 20 note groups

  • @777malkavian
    @777malkavian 3 роки тому

    I saw them live a couple years ago. Amazing how they are just as good live as on the recording.

  • @perhvarnes
    @perhvarnes 3 роки тому +1

    great choice. They have a lot of cool stuff, but people seem to request the most complex and extreme stuff to see the reactors get surprised (like when they hear Jinjer for the first time, as if Tatiana were the only growling woman in the world).

  • @cgafken
    @cgafken 3 роки тому +1

    On Impulse, Kascade, The Woven Web, Earth Departure, Cylindrical Sea, Another Year, Cognitive Contortions and Inner Assassins are all phenomenal tracks

  • @Moochalacho
    @Moochalacho 3 роки тому +1

    If you are looking for the melodic side of Animals as Leaders, I would highly recommend checking out anything from the Joy of Motion album (which has Lippincott). I find it's less focused on technicality than most of their other work.

  • @stevemuzak8526
    @stevemuzak8526 3 роки тому

    How insanely technical music like that it's so beautiful at the same time?

  • @progperljungman8218
    @progperljungman8218 3 роки тому

    Really enjoyable! Hadn't hear this one before.

  • @rudolphpyatt4833
    @rudolphpyatt4833 3 роки тому

    You would probably like The Glass Bridge, which precedes The Brain Dance on AAL’s The Madness of Many album.

  • @siuleopouesi5794
    @siuleopouesi5794 3 роки тому

    Matt's quick singles in that intro are insane👌

  • @T_K_W
    @T_K_W 3 роки тому

    Genuinely think Matt Garstka is one of the most gifted drummers of this generation. Absolutely insane level of technicality and creativity combined with just pure ability. Crazy talent.

  • @andeesrecordcollectionoilp2757
    @andeesrecordcollectionoilp2757 3 роки тому +4

    this is not metal but. "Dirty Three" "sea above, sky below" is a great instrumental.

  • @supersapphire
    @supersapphire 3 роки тому

    I think listening to the live album they put out is the best way to listen to AAL, as much as i love each of their albums material the only cd that stays in my car of theirs is the live one lol

  • @mmatthews90
    @mmatthews90 3 роки тому +1

    Dis gonna be good

  • @fortressofdistortion
    @fortressofdistortion 3 роки тому

    Awesome song and reaction! Now to further explore some current (ish) progressive metal, I highly suggest checking out the guitarist Chimp Spanner. I think Paul Ortiz is his name and for me he consistently delivers a captivating combo of heaviness, melody, and technicality. In songs like “Cloud City” there are catchy and soothing melodies and then in songs like “Under One Sky” the listener is taken on a wild ride that begins ins electronic ambience but resolves in a wall of sound style climax. Thanks again for the reaction!

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 роки тому

      Chimp Spanner has had a few requests already but I don't think I've heard a description of their work. I'm digging that combination of ideas though.

  • @georgielol
    @georgielol 3 роки тому

    I was just thinking of suggesting this song lol.

  • @AddarioJC
    @AddarioJC 3 роки тому

    Please go with T.R.A.M. - Seven ways till Sunday. They are superband with Adrián Terrazas (The Mars Volta), Javier Reyes and Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders) and Eric Moore (Infectious Grooves/Suicidal Tendences). (I like you channel very much, thank you!)

  • @newdarkagenow
    @newdarkagenow 3 роки тому

    Gotta do some Arch Echo for instrumental week. Try Strut

  • @lucasbrucas9632
    @lucasbrucas9632 3 роки тому +28

    Brain Dance is one of their best for sure. CAFO is honestly just a boring song. AAL have improved a LOT

    • @jakel7213
      @jakel7213 3 роки тому +5

      Judging by a lot of AAL comments I might be in the minority here, but while tracks like Brain Dance and On Impulse are beautiful works, I can't help but find them kind of boring, relatively speaking. AAL is one of those bands that I listen to almost exclusively for the insane metric modulation, drum fills and shredding. It's kind of like if Coheed and Cambria released instrumental versions of their songs, it takes most of the reason I enjoy them out of the equation.

    • @HerbalistGuybrush
      @HerbalistGuybrush 3 роки тому +4

      CAFO is their masterpiece tbh. Watch some guitar playthoughs of it.

    • @lucasbrucas9632
      @lucasbrucas9632 3 роки тому +4

      @@HerbalistGuybrush If I wanted to listen to heavily distorted shredding, I would listen to Origin. If I want to listen to shreddy Jazz with super cool guitar techniques, God-tier drumming, and amazing song composition, I listen to AAL.
      CAFO is really fun to listen to, but lacks a ton of substance outside of just rocking out.
      Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's "just noise," I'm not one of those idiots, it's just not nearly deep enough of a song for me to consider a masterpiece, let alone even that great. And believe me, I understand how technically impressive the riff is.

    • @lucasbrucas9632
      @lucasbrucas9632 3 роки тому +1

      @@jakel7213 I understand why Brain Dance would be boring if you're primarily listening for shredding haha but honestly, I think other bands do shredding better than AAL. CAFO's guitar riff barely changes thru the entire song, and to me, that's boring. Even a song like Physical Education is waaaay more interesting (and one of my favorites) because it's "djenty" and fun in a mosh pit but also has some level of progressiveness.

    • @carloss.sounds
      @carloss.sounds 3 роки тому

      spittin straight facts here.

  • @eulerianpath6355
    @eulerianpath6355 3 роки тому +1

    Should check out Drought by band Pelican. They are sorta like an instrumental sounding ISIS in a way

  • @chuckleberryfinn420
    @chuckleberryfinn420 3 роки тому +1

    Each animal as leaders album has their own feel to it. It's funny how one song can sound like an advanced jam band and another song is almost progressive deathcore(ish).
    Please, PLEASE do yourself a favor. And review a song or two by a band called "scale the summit". They're an instrumental technical metal band. The guitarist Chris kind of reminds me of Tosin as far as skill level on a guitar. Even though Tosin's style is a little more crazy than Chris' style

  • @cloudwalker2807
    @cloudwalker2807 3 роки тому +1

    My Sleeping Karma: Prithvi is a great instrumental song.
    wouldbe great if you could do a reaction to it!

  • @tortillajoe
    @tortillajoe 3 роки тому

    You should look into Kumi Na Moja by Simon Philips

  • @crowing3886
    @crowing3886 3 роки тому

    You didn't listen to the older albums in full. They've always had more Melodic songs, just more deep cuts. Listen to On Impulse from the first album CAFO was on.

  • @zyklqrswx
    @zyklqrswx 3 роки тому

    still waiting for you to do The Quantum Hack Code album by Amogh Symphony

  • @jwallace6913
    @jwallace6913 2 роки тому

    I dont understand why nobody is recommending kascade by aal. Its such an obvious choice for bryan, because it takes the listener on an incredibly uplifting melodic journey.

  • @MoiseDosSantos
    @MoiseDosSantos 3 роки тому

    You should check out ( in free time maybe ) Tosin youtube channel , he has some videos explaining and showcasing different picking and guitar playing techniques , he is imo one of the most influential guitarists of the 2010s 2020s because of the new ways he creates playing the guitar and how technically good he actually is... Edit: Also i think ( not sure tho ) Tosin said once that Javier Reyes ( other guitarist ) might actually be a better guitarist than him .. dont know if he meant that it was pure technical skill or songwriting but man Javier is really a beast , these are like the holy Triforce to be honest

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 роки тому +1

      I'll have to check into it. I'm always down for talented people breaking down their process.

  • @159awi
    @159awi 3 роки тому

    You are showing me that there is still a lot of really good music out there.

    • @Isaiah_McIntosh
      @Isaiah_McIntosh 3 роки тому +2

      Honestly I'd say theres more good music than ever. However a lot of it is niche, may be exploring elements of music very alien to stuff that's like pre 2000s and has a lot of genre merging. There's also a lot of copycat type bands but you can avoid those.

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 роки тому +3

      That's awesome to hear. I'm in the same boat as you though, honestly. Before starting this channel I mostly stopped finding new music for a decade. Becoming a dad, dealing with life, long work hours, etc -- I just didn't have the time to search like I used to and honestly, sinking into the music that I already knew was comforting. So it's been an amazing ride learning about all of this stuff that I doubt I would have found on my own.

  • @CrappycrapCrappy
    @CrappycrapCrappy 3 роки тому

    Bryan! A bit random, but how are those headphones (ATH-M50x)? Would you advise those pair for some metal listening?

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 роки тому +1

      It depends on what you want out of them and how much work you want to put into an equalizer. I love the ATH-M50x because it has a very, very neutral sound. But that means that the bass isn't as powerful as other headphones. I also tried the M50x-BT and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro and those both have some bass kick if that's what you're looking for in a similar price range. My only issue with the ATH is that they aren't very comfy for me (most reviews say they feel fine). I bought aftermarket speaker cups and am working on adding some padding to the head band. Otherwise I highly advise anyone to get them. I use them every day and don't regret the purchase.

    • @CrappycrapCrappy
      @CrappycrapCrappy 3 роки тому

      @@CriticalReactions Hey thanks man! Appreciate it. Been thinking between M50X, DT 770 pro, M50X-BT, and K371 so it's nice you brought up some comparisons. I also do like to play with EQ so it sounds like M50X is a great choice and it's also the one I'm leaning more into. Thanks again!

  • @hiufernando7340
    @hiufernando7340 3 роки тому

    Good reaction. Anyway, can i request your reaction to superb band from japan?
    The band is call "Lovebites"
    They all The Queens metal band right now in the earth. They are really really World class musicians. Phenomenal.
    And they have a lot fans too.
    The song is "Winds of Transylvania"
    Hope you check out, and can enjoy it too. Big thanks🙏

  • @NamelessOne22
    @NamelessOne22 3 роки тому +1

    This is their best song.
    Since you really liked Krallice, react to Orthrelm - Ov.

  • @Isaiah_McIntosh
    @Isaiah_McIntosh 3 роки тому +2

    Yay. Still not the perfect recommendation but a very decent option.

  • @funnyperson4027
    @funnyperson4027 3 роки тому +1

    solo was improv

  • @kalebritchey5882
    @kalebritchey5882 3 роки тому

    Aal is kinda strange cuz some of their biggest influences are each other. Like tosin is heavily influenced by Javier Reyes who is a classical Spanish guitarist

    • @CriticalReactions
      @CriticalReactions  3 роки тому

      That's actually awesome. A couple of people getting better at their craft by enjoying the other people's playing.

  • @tmayne220
    @tmayne220 3 роки тому

    oh hells yeah. I will admit AAL is probably not a band huge for hooks - definitely a drummers or guitarists band.

  • @Petergriffinbigchillin
    @Petergriffinbigchillin 3 роки тому

    Please react to physical education and woven web

  • @logos8312
    @logos8312 3 роки тому

    It is time for ultimate Animals as Leaders
    CAFO is boring
    Arithmophobia is amazing
    If you want to tie things together, you need Odessa, Weightless, Inner Assassins, etc.
    Hell, I think I've said this before but I'm serious, just do a whole listen through of the Weightless album. All the songs have that "tied together" feel.
    One more edit (I hope). Arithmophobia and Brain Dance are from the same album. Their last two albums, like their first, are kind of a mismash of different kinds of songs and feels that people like / dislike. Weightless (2nd album) is the only one that has songs that, to my mind, are arranged in a form of instrumental story telling rather than a diversity of themes.

  • @SKULLKR3W
    @SKULLKR3W Рік тому

    i dont get how animals as leaders is too technical to get into