When listening to any of their albums, it's hard to believe that Plants & Animals are only a three piece act. This trio from Montreal has their sound so tight and refined, with only two guitars and a drum kit, that one would believe they had the full drum, bass, guitar ensemble, but not so.
After two years, Plants & Animals are back with their third full-length studio album, and fifth record, "The End of That". With their latest album, they have created the third album that every rock band aspires, or should aspire, to create.
Though their previous records have come together through jamming and experimenting while in the studio, "The End of That" was composed and recorded using material that the band had been working on in advance. This certainly shines through with a new record that is far more accessible than any of their previous albums. However, that is not to say that the album is boring, stale, or predictable.
Layered, groovy, and intimate, this is an album that gets better with each and every play, from the opening track "Before", on through the single "Lightshow", and up to the finale "Runaways". It has absolutely the right amount of clean acoustic guitar licks, honest-to-goodness rock and roll, and just a touch of that Plants & Animals whimsy.
Vocalist Warren Spicer sings with such honest emotion that one can't be helped but to want to sing along. With an almost Lou Reed-like quality to his voice, he adds the perfect tune to the fuzzy guitar riffs and head nodding drum beats. Vocals aside, the lyrics sound and feel very honest, as if each song is a retelling of a story from the band. This band just has chemistry, and it definitely shows.
Highlights from the album include the catchy single "Lightshow", the almost melancholy "No Idea", with it's haunting lyrics and piano chords, and the title track "The End of That", but the whole record is absolutely fantastic. To suggest that everyone should listen to this album would be an understatement; everyone must listen to this record. It's one of those rare albums that will stick with you.
