Ambient Jungle Noise (Expanded)

The Animal Beat describe themselves on their Facebook page as "five vicious animals from Richmond, VA who have evolved enough to play instruments. Don't get too close ... we will bite." However, a spin of the group's debut EP, Ambient Jungle Noise, suggests they're a lot friendlier than they're letting on. The six songs on Ambient Jungle Noise suggest a sound somewhere between contemporary rock and the college rock acts that were edging into the mainstream in the mid-'90s; if Semisonic or the Verve Pipe ever need a new band as an opening act, the Animal Beat would fit the bill quite nicely. If that sounds like something short of a compliment, the truth is that for a self-produced first effort, Ambient Jungle Noise is remarkably well-crafted, with polished and melodic songs, tight and flavorful arrangements, solid instrumental chops, and production that's clean and professional without scrubbing all the life from the music. These tunes range from the playful pop of "Ordinary" (complete with a whistled intro and sunny harmonies) and the big guitar figures of "While You Feel It," to the laid-back but prog-influenced "Clean Bones." If the Animal Beat really want to convince folks that they're edgy, Ambient Jungle Noise isn't the music that's going to do it; this EP is far too user friendly to make them seem like a threat to anyone. But if they're hoping to persuade people that they're smart, talented, and have a future ahead of them, then Ambient Jungle Noise does the job with flying colors.