AMG Review of Animal Life

Jason Ankeny
All Music Guide

27's roots in guitar rock bands like the Dirt Merchants and Spore offer no indication of the raw power and beauty to be found on Animal Life -- its grim yet ethereal sound occupies the space between the wasted blues-rock of fellow Bostonites Come, and the slow-motion psychedelia of Mazzy Star and Low, complete with electronic textures and eclectic samples that ultimately render such comparison points moot. Maria Christopher's sensuous, impassioned vocals are the focal point here, but Ayal Naor's guitar leads are remarkably expressive as well, shifting effortlessly from to chiming atmospherics to crunching drones -- the songs rise, curl, and twist like smoke from a cigarette.