FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.


MOBY
Animal Rights
Elektra

· Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode) has not fallen off the face of the Earth after all, he engineers this album.

· Cover of Mission of Burma's "That's When I Reach For My Revolver" helps indicate that Moby's back and he's not too happy.

Moby's management probably has a migraine this very minute (just like those of us with his new release). Animal Rights is completely removed from what the club couture masses have come to expect from their turntable prince. Fans will soon join critics in scratching their heads in bewilderment and disappointment. "But he's Moby!" you retort? Hate to say it, but the credibility of his past brilliant mixes and Everything is Wrong can't save him from this whale of a mess.

The album's erratic nature is evident by the frantic lyrics and various compositional styles. Moby succeeds in evoking many mood swings (as aggravating as some are), but listen closely and you'll notice he is staying within one mood the entire journey. From ambient (his usual style) to quasi-metal (bad, bad idea) to punk (just when you thought it couldn't get any worse) to classical (a returning salvation on the album), Moby ambitiously tries to tackle many genres he should have left to Slayer and Fugazi. The man should stay away from guitars which complicate his music, and microphones which capture a detestable vocal technique. The frenzy - communicated through his new style(s) - is absolutely agonizing.

However messy most tracks are, several songs manage to save the album from a catastrophic demise. Of 16, three are able to distract you from the blunders. The gentle world beat of "Alone" stands out as Moby's best work, elapsing in the blink of an eye despite an 11 minute length. "Now I Let Go" and "Old" beautifully mourn and pine away and are great examples of superior classical music in a contemporary arena.

Admitting to naming the record Animal Rights so that the press will ask him about it and he can plug the plight of humanity is honorable. Unfortunately, this dissertation is more interesting than some songs. Maybe that's why we have his essay printed on the inlay instead of lyrics or instrumentation credits.

2 / 5

Aubrey McInnis

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