When I first saw that Alien Ant Farm was releasing a new CD, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was a fan back when ANThology was released, and truANT was a bit odd for me, and because of this, I was under the assumption that the band was done. So I grabbed Up In The Attic out of sheer interest in what the band could offer today with the overwhelming hardcore scene of the not-TV world and horrible pop-stars that fill up VH1 and MTV. I was to explain to you how this CD is a step up from their other works, but I feel I should be honest and say that it reminds me of ANThology a lot. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I wan to warn listeners that they won't be getting anything too new.
With the real negatives set aside, I will move on to the fact that every song is catchy as hell (but in a good way). Each song leaves you knowing that it was compiled with care and love. Thanks can go to guitarist Joe Hill for creating some impressive riffs (see the chorus on "What I Feel Is Mine").
On top of the more detailed of guitar riffs, many of the songs are full of cleverly simplistic guitar and bass mixes that give the music a great tone. It amazes me how a band can keep a great feel and sound for five years without wavering. Now, I sound a bit like a hypocrite for saying that, but that aside, this band still knows how to keep a good feel for an entire album's length. I guess you could say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Congrats to AAF for releasing another album that can actually keep the listener interested.
Track Listing:
1. Bad Morning
2. Forgive & Forget
3. What I Feel Is Mine
4. It Could Happen
5. Around the Block
6. San Sebastian
7. Lord Knows
8. Getting Closer
9. Crickets
10. Supreme Lifestyle
11. Consti2tion
12. State of Emergency
13. Sleepwalker
14. She's Only Evil