Animated band cartoons playing along with explosive two-minute power-pop song is a can’t-miss combination, and that’s just what you get with Kissed By An Animal‘s latest release “The Good Times Are Here Again” (streaming below). Guitarist/vocalist Dima Drjuchin applies the technique of Rotoscoping to live action footage while adding a steady flow of animated flames, hearts, flowers, skulls, birds, bunnies and more to the Peter Max style psychedelic imagery. Self-directed and drawn over in Adobe Animate, the track is a power-noise-pop treat with crunchy guitar, hard-edge drumming and a fluid bassline. The first hook is reached just 30 seconds in, via a descending progression that goes “sometimes hard to be a friend when the good times are here again.” An even bigger hook arrives with the chorus stating “when no one sees you, no one is holding you back,” that get’s turned into “there IS no holding back.” The riff breaks lean towards the heavy and tight Dinosaur Jr variety, adding dramatic accent breaks and a touch of pitch-bended warped guitar tones. Big dreamy background “ahhh’s” lift it higher into near dream-gaze territory.
One thing is for sure, these guys deserve more than 82 friends on their Facebook page! Don’t miss their live show at the Gutter on August 22.- Dave Cromwell