 
ACT OF GOD - This is one album review that I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you! The long awaited follow-up to ANIMAL GRACE’s 1999 release, FINALLY. This is not only far superior in some aspects to their debut album, but it solidify’s their reputation as one of southwestern Ohio’s best musical acts! The album may be called ACT OF GOD but this album was recorded by 4 mortals who are accomplished musicians who are on a mission, to not only entertain but to simply kick ass w/ good hard rock music! With the 2-fisted twin guitar rock assault, they are a major arena contender! ANIMAL GRACE consists of Tony Powell / Lead, rhythm & slide guitars - vocals; Mark Palmer/ Lead & rhythm guitars- vocals; Chris McConnell/ bass – backing vocals; and Kenny Barnett/ drums and backing vocals. The layout of this disc is virtually the same as their debut. Yet the cover seems to fit the title very well. Simple and effective, this cover will catch your eye in a jukebox. The theme of using the elements is perfect. On the main cover itself; you see all hell breaking loose w/ thunder & lightning and water. On the back cover you see branches covered in ice. This fits the theme of the title and the title track as well. “There’s a storm a’comin’!” The album opens w/ one of the best sounding storm sequences I’ve heard in a long time. When the volume is cranked, it’s sounds almost like the real thing! Too many times I hear a band open w/ a storm intro and it sounds janky as hell. But this is just an example of the quality to expect from ANIMAL GRACE. The title track, “Act Of God”, is about the power and unpredictability of Mother Nature. The opening lyrics, ”The wind whips up and the sky goes black. I’m on the road again and I can’t get back. A perfect day has just gone bad, worst swollen rain than we’ve ever had.”, say it all. The thick-chorded riffs of this heavy song instantly make you want to bang your head. W/ Tony Powell on vocals, he’s got a good voice for rock, that’s for sure. You’ll respect the forces of nature after hearing this song. Following the opening cut is “Dirty Woman”. A straight balls-out rocker about a cold-hearted woman that has no shame. Does there ever seem to be an end to these wicked women? Powell’s guitar solos are superbly done throughout this whole album and this track is no exception. Track 3 consists of “Quasimoto Love”. From the opening bass lines and fade-in guitar, you know you’re in for a treat. Mark Palmer takes over the vocal duties on this one. His range is a bit on the higher end than Powell’s but compliments the overall sound of the band very well. “Get My Guns…” is the next ball-busting track. This song has a lot of angst in it! Made to be played at maximum volume! Reminds me of THIN LIZZY’s “Thunder and Lightning”. The song is about a loud-mouthed drunken redneck that tries to start shit. No need for more explanation here. I think the title of the track will do nicely. The lyrics that stand out for me are: “The redneck tough-guy is starin’ me down, he doesn’t like the length of my hair. He says he’s gonna kick MY ASS. Man, I don’t even care!” The guitars and the solos on this cut just fuckin’ smoke!! You’ve just got to hear this for yourself. Track 5, contains the cut, “I Think I’m Fallin’ ”. Now what would a good hard rocking album be with out the ‘ballad’? Seems to be obligatory in some respects. But this is a well-written one, no doubt on that. Powell’s love of THIN LIZZY shows on this. The guitar solos are very tastefully done. The only bad point is the opening drum beats kind of drops it a little too slow on the tempo till the guitar comes in. But, nonetheless, it is a very good radio worthy song. Palmer’s “Woman” continues his drive for hard rock perfection. His voice sounds particularly strong. Powell’s solos again resonate all over this song with a little slide in for good measure. If we were still in the old days of two sided recordings, this is good opener for side 2 without a doubt. “Time In The Sun” is just an overall kick ass rock song. Period. Has a slight ting of classic RATT sound coming from it in the opening chords. Powell sings on how he’s on the up side of the relationship. It’s his time to shine and that she’s left behind for the obvious reasons. The next cut is a real treat! When you fist listen to it, without knowing what it is, you instantly go, “Where the hell have I heard this before….” By the time you say that, you realize it is a cover of Devo’s classic, “Whip It”. Slowed down and made a little dirtier, it fits well into their set. Kudos for adding a killer version of an already classic tune! “No Touch Love” has some really amazing tightness to it. The rhythm section of Barnett and McConnell has a “stop on a dime quality” timing to it. This really shows the prowess of their craft. Powell’s break before the solo is just dirty as hell! Tasty little morsels too! And the closer to this magnificent opus is, “Livin’ Alone”. One listen to this makes living alone not sounding so bad after all. With it’s fast paced riffs and big sound; it marks the spot for a climatic ending. My favorite line is, “I’m moving out, and the cat is comin’ with me.” Oh yeah! Take that honey!! The overall potential of this album is phenomenal! I just don’t see it gracefully reaching the confines of my CD rack anytime soon. I can only wonder if this band was out and recording albums for a label “back in the day”, how huge they would have become. The bottom line is as true as the title of the album; Never Under Estimate an ACT OF GOD! Not for mere mortals. Look for this album to be nominated for Album of the Year for 2002 for sure! Sonny Thomas The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide 10.8.2002 |
