Release Date: Sep 13, 2005
Genre(s): Indie, Rock, Electronic
Record label: Kill Rock Stars
Music Critic Score
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Over the course of their albums and EPs, Numbers have slowly colored in their sketchy, high-contrast electro-punk, adding more depth and breadth to their sound with each release. We're Animals is no exception -- in fact, its blend of new wave, psychedelic drones, and homages to early-'90s dream pop makes it the band's most eclectic and accomplished album yet. On songs like "Black Crow Heart of Gold," the band sounds almost unrecognizable: Indra Dunis sings instead of shouts, and Eric Landmark's keyboards provide atmospheric washes instead of spiky outbursts.
We're Animals is the third album for the San Francisco party band Numbers, and the party is slowing down. Even the track listing says so: right there, last song, entitled “Party’s Over.” Sounds it, too – somber, syncopated, the word “Changes” sung over and over. After two records of sharp, danceable, abrasive edge (2002’s Life and its follow-up, In My Mind All the Time), the decals are starting to wear off.