Album Information:

About The Animals:

The Animals were a British rock band that formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. They were considered one of the key players in the British Invasion of the United States, along with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Their music was a fusion of rock, R&B, and blues, characterized by the distinctive voice of frontman Eric Burdon.

The band's original lineup consisted of Eric Burdon on vocals, Alan Price on keyboards, Hilton Valentine on guitar, Chas Chandler on bass, and John Steel on drums. They became popular in the UK with hits such as 'House of the Rising Sun,' 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,' and 'We Gotta Get out of This Place.' The band also had a successful career in the United States, where they appeared on several television shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show.

The Animals went through several lineup changes throughout their career, with Eric Burdon being the only constant member. In 1965, Alan Price left the band and was replaced by Dave Rowberry on keyboards. Chas Chandler also left the band that same year to pursue a career as a manager, and he was replaced by bassist Danny McCulloch. In 1966, John Steel left the band and was replaced by Barry Jenkins on drums.

The band disbanded in 1969 due to creative differences and financial difficulties. Eric Burdon went on to have a successful solo career, while the other members pursued various musical projects. The Animals reunited briefly in the 1970s and 1980s, but without Eric Burdon.

The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Their music continues to influence generations of rock musicians, with notable covers by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and The White Stripes. Overall, The Animals were a groundbreaking British rock band that helped pave the way for the British Invasion of the United States and left an indelible mark on rock music history.

About the album Animalization:

Animalization is the fourth studio album by the English rock band The Animals, released in 1966. The album is characterized by a more R&B and soul-oriented sound, with a variety of covers and original songs.

The album begins with 'Don't Bring Me Down,' a catchy and upbeat track with infectious guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section. It is followed by 'One Monkey Don't Stop No Show,' a lively and bluesy song featuring Eric Burdon's powerful vocals and a lively horn section.

Other standout tracks on the album include a cover of Nina Simone's 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,' which features a haunting melody, powerful vocals, and a lush arrangement; 'The Other Side of This Life,' a gritty and energetic track with ferocious guitar work and soulful harmonies; and 'Inside Looking Out,' a socially conscious song with a heavy bassline, hypnotic rhythms, and a raw, searing guitar solo.

Animalization also includes a number of original compositions by the band members, such as 'Bittersweet,' a moody and introspective ballad with a haunting vocal melody and delicate guitar work; 'Cheating,' a mellow and soulful track with smooth harmonies and a laid-back groove; and 'I'm Mad Again,' an upbeat and fiery track with rollicking rhythms and a frenzied guitar solo.

Overall, Animalization is a testament to The Animals' versatility and range as a band, showcasing their ability to tackle a variety of genres and styles while maintaining their signature sound. It remains a classic album in the history of 60s rock and roll, and a must-listen for fans of The Animals and classic rock in general.

Members:

The Animals were an English rock band of the 1960s, known for their innovative fusion of electric blues and rock and roll styles. Here are the key members of the band and their biographies:

1. Eric Burdon: The lead vocalist and lyricist for The Animals, Eric Burdon was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on May 11, 1941. He formed The Animals in 1962 with keyboardist Alan Price, and the band went on to achieve international success with hits like 'The House of the Rising Sun,' 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood,' and 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place.' Burdon left The Animals in 1966 and formed the band Eric Burdon and the Animals, which continued to perform until the early 1970s. He later pursued a solo career and continued to tour and record new music.

2. Alan Price: The keyboardist and co-founder of The Animals, Alan Price was born in Fatfield, County Durham, England, on April 19, 1942. He left the band in 1965 over creative differences with Burdon, and went on to form his own band, The Alan Price Set. He also had a successful solo career and composed music for film and television, including the theme song for the TV series The Benny Hill Show.

3. Chas Chandler: The bassist and co-founder of The Animals, Chas Chandler was born in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on December 18, 1938. He left the band in 1966 to manage the career of a young guitarist named Jimi Hendrix, and helped launch Hendrix's legendary career.

4. Hilton Valentine: The guitarist for The Animals, Hilton Valentine was born in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, on May 21, 1943. He was known for his distinctive and innovative guitar playing, particularly on the band's hit song 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.' He left The Animals in 1966 to pursue a solo career, but later reunited with the band for various tours and recording sessions.

5. John Steel: The drummer for The Animals, John Steel was born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England on February 4, 1941. He was a founding member of the band and played on many of their biggest hits, but left the group in 1966 after creative tensions began to simmer. He later reunited with the band for tours and recording sessions.

Track List for Animalization:

Sure, here are all the tracks in Animalization, in the order they appear on the album:

1. 'Don't Bring Me Down' - 3:15
This is a high-energy, bluesy rock song with a catchy chorus and a driving beat. Eric Burdon delivers a passionate vocal performance, and the guitar work by Hilton Valentine is excellent.

2. 'One Monkey Don't Stop No Show' - 3:20
A soulful, groovy track with a funky bassline and horns that complement Burdon's vocals perfectly. The lyrics are about resilience in the face of adversity, and the overall vibe is upbeat and optimistic.

3. 'You're on My Mind' - 2:55
A slower, more introspective track that showcases Burdon's emotive vocal style. The lyrics are about longing for someone who's always on your mind, and the electric piano and organ add a dreamy texture to the song.

4. 'Cheating' - 2:25
Another high-energy rock song with a driving beat and a memorable guitar riff. The lyrics are about a relationship that's falling apart due to infidelity, and Burdon's vocal performance is full of anger and frustration.

5. 'She'll Return It' - 2:46
A bluesy track with a shuffle rhythm and a strong harmonica riff. The lyrics are about a woman who leaves but eventually comes back, and the overall vibe is playful and fun.

6. 'Inside-Looking Out' - 3:48
One of The Animals' most well-known songs, 'Inside-Looking Out' is a powerful, intense track with a driving rhythm and a searing guitar solo. Burdon's vocals are full of raw emotion as he sings about life in prison.

7. 'See See Rider' - 2:41
A standard blues number that The Animals put their own spin on. Burdon's vocals are fiery and intense, and the horns and organ add a soulful dimension to the song.

8. 'Gin House Blues' - 4:38
A cover of a Bessie Smith song, 'Gin House Blues' is a slow-burning track with a moody atmosphere. Burdon's vocals are full of sorrow and regret, and the bluesy guitar solo adds to the emotional weight of the song.

9. 'Maudie' - 4:02
A fun, upbeat track with a funky bassline and a catchy chorus. The lyrics are about a girl named Maudie who's always dancing and having a good time, and the overall vibe is celebratory and joyful.

10. 'What Am I Living For' - 3:11
A soulful ballad with a slow tempo and an orchestral arrangement. Burdon's vocals are full of heartbreak as he sings about a love that's gone wrong, and the overall atmosphere is melancholic and introspective.

11. 'Sweet Little Sixteen' - 3:02
A cover of a Chuck Berry classic, 'Sweet Little Sixteen' is a rollicking rock and roll tune with a driving beat and a memorable guitar riff. Burdon's vocals are full of energy and excitement, and the whole band sounds like they're having a blast.

Overall, Animalization is a strong album that showcases The Animals' range and versatility as a band. It's got everything from upbeat rockers to soulful ballads, with plenty of bluesy and funky tracks in between. Eric Burdon's vocals are as powerful and emotive as ever, and the band's instrumentation is tight and impressive throughout.

Discography for The Animals:

Here is a complete discography for The Animals in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:

1. The Animals (1964)
2. The Animals on Tour (1965)
3. Animal Tracks (1965)
4. Animalisms (1966)
5. Animalization (1966)
6. Eric Is Here (1967)
7. Winds of Change (1967)
8. The Twain Shall Meet (1968)
9. Every One of Us (1968)
10. Love Is (1968)
11. Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted (1977)
12. Ark (1983)

Singles:

1. 'Baby Let Me Take You Home' / 'Gonna Send You Back to Walker' (1964)
2. 'The House of the Rising Sun' / 'Talkin' 'bout You' (1964)
3. 'I'm Crying' / 'Take It Easy Baby' (1964)
4. 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' / 'Club A-Go-Go' (1965)
5. 'Bring It On Home to Me' / 'For Miss Caulker' (1965)
6. 'We Gotta Get Out of This Place' / 'I Can't Believe It' (1965)
7. 'It's My Life' / 'I'm Going to Change the World' (1965)
8. 'Inside-Looking Out' / 'Don't Bring Me Down' (1966)
9. 'Don't Stop What You're Doing' / 'Bring It on Home to Me' (1966)
10. 'See See Rider' / 'Help Me Girl' (1966)
11. 'When I Was Young' / 'A Girl Named Sandoz' (1967)
12. 'San Franciscan Nights' / 'Good Times' (1967)
13. 'Monterey' / 'Ain't That So' (1968)
14. 'Sky Pilot' / 'The Night' (1968)
15. 'Ring of Fire' / 'Coloured Rain' (1969)
16. 'Good Times' / 'Anything' (1978)

Other releases:

1. 'The Animals Are Here' EP (1964)
2. 'Animalization' EP (1966)
3. 'The Most of the Animals' compilation album (1966)
4. 'Best of the Animals' compilation album (1966)
5. 'The Greatest Hits of Eric Burdon and the Animals' compilation album (1970)
6. 'The Very Best of the Animals' compilation album (1987)
7. 'The Complete Animals' box set (1990)

Note: This discography includes only those releases made during the band's original run, and does not include various live recordings, reissues, or compilations released after the band's break-up.