BABY ANIMALS – This Is Not The End (2013)

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I always had a soft spot for BABY ANIMALS, the Aussie rocking combo fronted by talented (and good looking) singer Suze DeMarchi and guitarist Dave Leslie. They were big in the very early nineties, recorded two albums spawning several hits and disbanded in the middle of that decade.
Yes, Baby Animals are back with their third studio album, the first in twenty years; “This Is Not The End”.

Surely many of you remember their singles ‘Rush You’, ‘Painless’, ‘Early Warning’, etc. For those new to Baby Animals, here’s some facts: the band sold more than 1 million copies of their 1991 self titled album worldwide, received several ARIA awards (Australian Grammy), scored multiple platinum sales, sold out stadium tours and international supports for such acts as Bryan Adams, Van Halen and The Black Crowes.
Second album ‘Shaved and Dangerous’ released in August 1993 was a success as well, and Baby Animals supported Robert Plant’s American tour, Extreme, and many others. In 1995 on the verge of their first major US tour, their record company Imago Records folded after losing its distributor, BMG. In early 1996 the band officially disbanded.

Dave Leslie continued playing in Australia as main axeman in the Jimmy Barnes and Richard Clapton bands, while Suze DeMarchi get married with Extreme’s guitar hero Nuno Bettencourt and moved to USA, played on other people’s albums, TV advertisements and even released a solo album, but almost silently.
Without doubt one of the most gifted female voices heard in the last 20 years, it was a tragedy that the singer -who once adorned the front cover of the international version of Rolling Stone Magazine- faded into major obscurity following the Baby Animals demise.
Long story short… after a reunion tour in 2007 and an acoustic GH album (‘Il Grande Silenzio’) recorded for the occasion, Baby Animals are back, and be prepared for Suze DeMarchi’s dulcet rock tones once again infiltrating our radios.
On “This Is Not The End”, 20+ years on, her voice still gives me chills…

The rockin’ “Email” kicks off the album and is bound to be a staple of Rock radio for the next few months. Suze has never sounded better, like a fine wine, her voice has matured with age and is as strong as ever, while Leslie’s dry sharp riffs are still there. It’s clear the band have not forgotten how to write a great rock tune.
“Bonfires” starts slower with a classy and smooth bluesy tempo and as the chorus kicks in you’ll subconsciously be tapping along to it, followed by “Under Your Skin” which reverts back to a pure rock in the vein of Baby Animals’ old style.
Listening the latter, it doesn’t matter if you don’t know which band it is on the CD player, you’ll identify this group as Aussie born immediately; the sound it’s tight straight-up Australiana.
Next, we have one of the highlights on the album and one more reason of why I love this band so much. “Stitch” is a simple slow rocker, but the musical progression, the melody, the way the harmonies are created makes this band so unique. DeMarchi’s emotions can be felt in every word of this track, undoubtedly a future fan favourite.

“Invisible Dreamer” slighly grows with a haunting in-crescendo and explodes with a Dave Leslie trademark solo (Eddie Van Halen admires him), while in the bluesy melodic rock hybrid of “Warm Bodies” DeMarchi oozes sex appeal singing ‘my body’s your friend’. Great track.
Another fav of mine arrives; “Things That Make You Stay” sports a winning melody as Baby Animals’ circa 1991 plenty of feeling and charm, followed the almost melodic rock of “Priceless”, a superbly dynamic tune.
“Hot Air Balloon” rocks more intensively over a grooving riff, the chorus fly and Dave rip out a cracking solo. This is a song designed for the arenas. “Got It Bad” is even harder driven by buzzing guitars and a catchy hook, before the disc finale with the gently pop-rocker “Winter’s Day”.

“This Is Not The End” is an organic, honest and genuine Rock album showing Baby Animals returning in great form with the class of their past intact, yet with a new, fresh, matured sound. Twenty years apart hasn’t been for nothing.
The magic is still there; Suze DeMarchi’s charismatic, velvety tone, Dave Leslie’s complete guitar work & skillful songwriting (with some lyrics drawing on the break-up of Suze’s marriage with Nuno Bettencourt) and the vibrant production, this time handled by ARIA award-winning David Nicholas (INXS, Ash) and Nick DiDia (Stone Temple Pilots).
One of Down Under best rock bands is back, and if you liked them in their heyday you won’t be disappointed. If you’re new to
Baby Animals, you’ll be surprised by the quality of “This Is Not The End”, a marvelous disc to my ears.
Strongly Recommended.

01 – Email
02 – Bonfires
03 – Under Your Skin
04 – Stitch
05 – Invisible Dreamer
06 – Warm Bodies
07 – Things That Make You Stay
08 – Priceless
09 – Hot Air Balloon
10 – Got It Bad
11 – Winters Day

Suze DeMarchi – Vocals, Guitar
Dave Leslie – Guitars, Vocals
Dario Bortolin – Bass
Mick Skelton – Drums

BUY IT !
www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/this-is-not-the-end/684353
www.amazon.co.uk/This-Is-Not-the-End/dp/B00C7X4QVM