Animal Tracks: The Story of the Animals: Newcastle's Rising Sons

Rating:
Summary: Animal Behavior
Review: Along with the Yardbirds, the Animals were the great overlooked band when it came to 60s biographies. No more. Yardites were finally rewarded last year with Greg Russo's exhaustive tome, ULTIMATE RAVE UP. Here, Sean Egan chronicles Newcastle's finest in a lucid and engaging bio that highlights the Geordies' thrilling music, clashing personalities and disaster-prone management. Good points: a thorough run-through of the band's history, freckled with commentary about their records, interesting road stories and a rock solid analysis about why the Animals were unable to build upon their massive early success. (Hints: Mike Jeffery; a lack of songwriting talent). The insightful interviews with John Steel, Hilton Valentine, Vic Briggs, Dave Rowberry, Zoot Money and Eric Burdon are the best part of this book. Bad points: Not enough photos; no commentary from Alan Price (though that's not Egan's fault, Price refused); and Egan's silly conclusion that the New Animals made better music than the originals (be honest - do YOU prefer "San Franciscan Nights" to "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"?). Perhaps Price's instincts were sound - all of his ex-bandmates trash him, especially Burdon and Steel. On the other hand, Price's hoarding of the "House of the Rising Sun" royalties looks all the more suspicious when he refuses to defend himself. The erratic Burdon comes off as alternately charismatic, gutsy, obnoxious, backstabbing and goofy - sometimes all of the above on one page. Chas Chandler's role as the band's muscle and soul is contrasted by the others' assertion that he really couldn't play the bass that well. Hilton Valentine's LSD collapse is addressed tactfully, while John Steel comes off as the most likeable Animal - a laid-back guy with a talent for putting things in perspective. Given how volatile they were, it's amazing the Animals were able to get as far as they did. These guys made the Who look harmonious. If you're a fan of the band (or 60s Brit-rock), this book is for you. Just don't expect a happy ending.

Rating:
Summary: Too much criticism....
Review: Although the book was somewhat informative, the author spent more time giving his own personal review of every track on every album Eric Burdon and/or The Animals recorded. He came across as somewhat opinionated and it was tough to sift through his personal opinions to get to the interesting stories & facts. Eric Burdon's autobiography (ies) are much more enjoyable to read and just as informative.

Rating:
Summary: The Definitive History of The Animals
Review: This book follows The Animals from their Newcastle beginnings to their 1994 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including discussions of The Animals changing lineups, evolving musical styles, and tempestuous reunions. To me, this book was far more interesting than either of Eric Burdon's biographies, both of which spent too much time talking about his partying and too little time talking about the music. And isn't the music what it's all about?

Of particular interest to me are the interviews with band members describing their opinions of the various songs the band recorded, the songs they liked and disliked, how the songs were selected, and who contributed what to the arrangements. Also of interest are discussions of the infighting and ego-clashes that ultimately destroyed the band before its time.

Author Sean Egan is not shy about weighing-in with his own evaluations of particular songs, and I found myself disagreeing with him in many cases (as when he proclaims that the British take of "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" is superior to the version released in America). But disagreeing about songs is part of the fun, right?

Band members Hilton Valentine and John Steel come across as thoroughly likeable and down-to-earth, Chas Chandler as possessing a steady business-sense which didn't flower until after the band's demise, Alan Price as somewhat prickly and distant (he did not make himself available for interviews), and Eric Burdon as charmingly-but-maddeningly vain and unpredictable, often throwing a wrench into the band's best-laid plans.

I've focused on the early Animals, but the book follows the band through the Eric Burdon and The Animals psychedelic era and beyond. This book goes a long way towards filling a void about a band that's had far too little written and said about it.