I like Animal Logic II a lot better than the first one

[lancaster]

Which one's your favourite?

I think the arrangements on the second album suit Holland's voice better. Also the drumming details that I like so much in Stewart's style seem to be more up front, somehow.

[njperry]

I much prefer the first one myself, but I know that many here share Lancaster's views.

That said, I have no songs from either album on my ipod, and the three songs I do have are Night Owls, the only Stewart composed AL song which was released on a single, and two live songs, including the version of Stanley's song School Days which appears without the song title here at sc.net multimedia section among the videos.

[jerseyfan]

I like both. However, my favorite is the first CD- the dogs album.

If you read the liner notes you'll notice big differences in credits in the two CDs. (That is if credits in liner notes reflect the reality in the recording studio.)

The one consistency is that Deborah Holland wrote or co-wrote most of the songs. The first CD was produced by Stewart and Stanley, and recorded and mixed by Jeff Seitz. The second CD was produced by Animal Logic and Tony Berg.

Both CDs have beautuful songs but the first is more powerful. It has stronger, more upbeat musical arrangements.

The second CD is moodier with deeper lyrics.

The bottom line is they're both really good and AL was a great live band. Every band with S&S is a great live band.

They should tour. They have enough original material. And just to add loads of fun they could include some of Stewart's awesome Police songs and a couple of Stanley compositions.

I'm ready to buy some tickets.

[Pezish]

Did anybody catch Stewart's Tweet photo of Deborah and Stanley at a recent dinner?

[giovanni]

I do really prefer the first one, but every now and then I listen to the second release as well, there are anyway so many bass & drums great arrangements; Deborah Holland is great anyway on both; I feel the lack of cool songs in the second cd, but it's a nice recording anyway.

[conroy]

*Duplicate post*

[conroy]

I love them both equally and am glad that each album feels different from each other. Jerseyfan pretty much echoed my feelings about each of them.

[TheEqualizer]

For the longest time, I like the second much more than the first. Maybe its because the first one was not what I expected from a collaboration from Stanley and STEWART. But now I appreciate the first one more, but I think the second is still better overall. I agree that they both have a different feel. I just feel that their potential was never fully tapped. Maybe they needed a different producer to push them where they needed to go.

[zilboy]

I think the first will always be my favorite although I like the second a lot. There is a huge difference in the overall production between them both, particularly regarding the drum sound. Heavily gated on the first, much more nautural on the second. I think the songs on the first are much more "pop" /accessible. Those on the second are more artistic and introspective.

A tour will never happen with the original lineup. Debbie nearly killed her voice for good on that first tour.

[TheEqualizer]

Absolutely agree regarding the difference in drum sounds

[jerseyfan]

zilboy, Holland has never stopped performing. Here she is doing Spy in the House of Love many years after Animal Logic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLFRPFNxM9w

Compare it to this performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GINB-5bfkiw

Which one do you prefer? I don't think she's holding back.

I'd say that she can certainly perform. I'm sure she can handle 10-12 songs songs in concert. And who says there can't be more than one singer? Many successful bands have more than one singer. They can get someone else to do a few more songs.

As I've stated before, anybody who tours with Stewart and Stanley as a singer will instantly become famous. There are countless great singers who would give their right thumb for the opportunity.

I think they can find a way. The window is going to start closing soon. No one is getting any younger. They should take a hint from the success of the Police reunion tour.

[jerseyfan]

Speaking of AL, I always loved this performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8Qq3- ... creen&NR=1

It just kicks ass on so many musical levels including the mix. The guy on the Telecaster- who is pretty famous and I can't remember his name- is amazing.

I'm actually surprised those drums lived past the beating Stewart was inflicting on them.

And the interaction and looks/glares between Stewart and Holland are hysterical. I'm not sure if they're joking or at war. . . or both.

When she sings about getting a promotion and looks back at Stewart and he gives the "Not in a million years" gesture of disapproval, you have a priceless moment.

I'd like to hear from any insider who can shed light on what was going on.

[ltwoman]

Speaking of AL, I always loved this performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8Qq3- ... creen&NR=1

Another lost drumstick. And still looking too intense... Also whoever shot this neglected to give Stanley any credit.

[zilboy]

Absolutely agree regarding the difference in drum sounds

Yeah, but the gated sounds and reverb do add to the drama. The snare is particularly effective on "The Winds of Santa Anna". That could otherwise have been too mellow a song. That huge snare sound gives it the spark it needs and balances Debbie's sweetness with some spice.

[zilboy]

zilboy, Holland has never stopped performing. Here she is doing Spy in the House of Love many years after Animal Logic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLFRPFNxM9w

Compare it to this performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GINB-5bfkiw

Which one do you prefer? I don't think she's holding back.

I'd say that she can certainly perform. I'm sure she can handle 10-12 songs songs in concert. And who says there can't be more than one singer? Many successful bands have more than one singer. They can get someone else to do a few more songs.

As I've stated before, anybody who tours with Stewart and Stanley as a singer will instantly become famous. There are countless great singers who would give their right thumb for the opportunity.

I think they can find a way. The window is going to start closing soon. No one is getting any younger. They should take a hint from the success of the Police reunion tour.

I know she still performs, but in an interview, she did mention nodules on her vocal chords after that tour. That's the kiss of death for any vocalist if it's not taken care of. Perhaps that's why the second album is a bit less intense - to prevent that sort of thing from happening again.

As for more than one singer, I suppose it's possible, a la Fleetwood Mac. However, IMHO, Debbie is so much a part of that group's sound, that the idea would take more than a little getting used to on my part. But hey, I also no longer believe in a Journey without Steve Perry and Steve Smith