Animal Farm

Victory Records' 2002 re-release of Snowdogs' Animal Farm allows one to hear the European trio's full-length debut, an average collection of pop-punk songs that has its highs and its lows and an abundance of in betweens. This is not to say Snowdogs aren't a good band -- they seem to possess a knack for writing infectious melodies that get your head to nod -- yet Animal Farm is just adequate, nothing spectacular. At times Snowdogs resemble a punk version of R.E.M., especially on "All I Said," which is interesting to say the least. Animal Farm begins with the excellent "Are You With Missy?," which satisfies on many levels, yet the follow-up songs just don't hold the listener's attention. Ville Leppanen has a high-pitched vocal style that is memorable and the song formats are arranged for maximum repetitive flair, yet something seems missing. The one thing Snowdogs have going for them is that they have a different sound than the likes of Green Day, the Offspring, and other more mainstream punk bands, and this different pop-punk approach could be capitalized on and help propel these three men to stardom. Animal Farm misses the boat, yet is an average release that gives the listener a slight taste of what Snowdogs are capable of. ~ Jason D. Taylor|