Wild Animals

Great

Trampled by Turtles seem to have taken some pointers from the Fleet Foxes, and experimented with some more polish in the mixing studio by adding some cathedral-esque reverb to their (as usual) gorgeous harmonies.This is an album that will be a tad bit polarizing to some long time listeners. Some will cry out "I want my old Trampled by Turtles back! What is this new trash?! Why all this reverb and hazy ambient noise over the folksy bluegrassy music I know and love?!"This is a valid complaint, and one that's very noticeable on the first (and eponymous) track of the album, "Wild Animals". The album opens with dreamy and wailing harmonies that we've come to know and love from Trampled by Turtles, but with a noticeable reverb effect that sadly, at times, makes the track dissipate into a monotonous haze that feels very unfamiliar and disheartening for the long-time TBT fan.Luckily, the title track seems to be the worst offender of the "band-getting-too-overproduced-in-the-studio" crime. Despite tracks like "Hollow" and "Ghosts" being significantly slower than some of the other tracks that put TBT on the map, these tracks (like many on the album) are growers that, after a few listens, will win over your heart and join the ranks of "Midnight on the Interstate" or "Alone" from their previous album, Stars and Satellites.Those who weep for the loss of the breakneck speeds of Trampled by Turtles's previous efforts need not despair, however! Songs like "Western World" and "Come Back Home" especially retain the ridiculous speed and ferocity of their previous efforts. "Come Back Home" is particularly impressive as a two-minute and forty-one-second tour de force. A particularly fierce violin drives the outro of this track into the stratosphere on wheels of fire, and is definitely worth checking into for those who are looking for traces of "Palomino" on TBT's newest effort.Those who rage against the reverb and production of this album will likely be disappointed with this album. But if you stick with it, and approach the CD with an open mind, you'll see that despite TBT trying on a new hat, they're still the same band you fell in love with in the days of yore. You just need to look a little closer to see them.

The last 2 TBT albums have taken a turn for the worst, with only 1 or 2 decent songs. By comparison, pretty much every album from Palomino back are basically some of my favorite albums, period, which I can and have listened to in their entirety for days straight. I was pumped to be seeing these guys in October, but not if they're going to be playing songs from these last 2 albums. Need to get back to their earlier sound.UPDATE 8/13/14:I was much too harsh in my earlier three star assessment. Give this one at least 3 listens before passing judgment. It's still a bit more produced than I'd like, but all in all, it's simply a different flavor of TBT, and has grown on me a great deal. Currently listening to the vinyl, and very much looking forward to seeing them in October.

I'm converting my vinyl copy of this album to digital as I type this. Great songs, great production. As an early fan of Trampled from a gig they did at the now-defunct Green Man Festival at Spirit Mountain in Duluth (they were on the second stage back then. Greg Brown filled in as the headliner for an ill Willy Nelson), I am impressed by the progression of this group. This album is produced by Alan Sparhawk of the "other" Duluth musical icon, Low. Two very different bands with very different vibes. And yet, Sparhawk's affinity for learning from others shows through: the techniques and refinements Jeff Tweedy brought to Low's last studio album are also to be found here on this fine, fine piece of artistry. Let's just hope that Low and Trampled and Wilco all continue to produce this level of quality. Great music is not easy to find. "Are You Behind the Shining Star?" is as good as the fusion of bluegrass-pop-rock gets. Believe it and buy this album.Mark Munger

Whether fast, mid tempo or in ballad form, tightly written and beautifully executed songs that speak of loneliness and longing. Almost every song here demands repeated listens. Essential (as is Stars and Satellites)

Music is so subjective that it's almost unfair to write a review. I may love it and you may hate it, or the other way around. It's a lot different than reviewing, say, a kitchen faucet, which either leaks or doesn't leak. Anyway, the trajectory of Trampled by Turtles has sure changed a lot through the years. Personally I'm not sure I like where they are headed. For sure, Wild Animals is slowed way down... now I'm one of the fans who thought that sometimes the band played it too fast in the past, sacrificing melody, harmony, and even a distinct rhythm at times just for the sake of breaking a land speed record. Well that is not a problem on this album! The songs on Wild Animals are so much more laid back that they are almost trippy. Sometimes I swear I can hear elements of Pink Floyd slipping in...I think the band is trying to walk the line between folk and pop, but I'm not sure they have found the magic formula yet. I like their older works better. For me, songs like Darkness and the Light, Victory, and Valley hit much closer to the mark.

This was the first exposure I had to the band and I love it. I think it is a musical masterpiece, in all honesty. It's a shame that they don't get played on the radio at least around here (Philadelphia, Pa). I have since gone out and bought all of their other albums with the exception of their first, Duluth and their live album. Every album is great. If you really like them check out the lead singer's side project band, Dead Man Winter. It's different a little more somber but very good.

This was unexpected as it is quite a bit different from most of the live performances I have heard from the band. It is a bit melancholy for my tastes in spots but it is a truly beautiful collection of music. There is nice diversity in the styles of the included material with many parts you will very likely enjoy listening to over and over. The band has absorbed influences of some other artists - some Bon Iver flavors pop to mind first - but it all has evolved into a very solid mature sound for T by T.

Excellent album, more gentle than usual, but nonetheless exceptional...

Item delivered on time and as described. Happy to recommend

La band fa un genere molto particolare, un folk con strumenti quali banjo, violino, mandolino, contrabbasso e chitarra acustica.Per non amatori quale sono io potrebbe ala lunga risultare noioso e poco variato.Non è questo il caso di Wild Animals, che fin dalla title track, mostra uno spessore e una caratura di prima grandezza.Credo che dei Trampled by Turtles si sia appena cominciato a parlare.E' un disco che consiglio veramente a tutti, non solo agli amanti del genere.

Verry good

liked it!!!!