Fittingly signed to Barnyard Records, Raised By Animals are the latest export from Yorkshire but forget a rehashed Kaiser Chiefs or wannabe Artic Monkeys, these Yorkshire exports offer a little something different, a sound that's hard to clarify but one that is undeniably appealing. Touches of the Eagles mingle with a hint of Wings to create a soundscape that has been missing from a trucker's radio since the 70s, crafting melodic rock with a groovy funk edge whilst offering glimpses of acoustic epics that merge into soulful ballads.
Initially slow to start, 'As Nature Intended' finds its feet a couple of tracks in with 'You Said...', an sensitive power ballad that conjures images of the long open road with only the horizon in front and a life of pain and drudgery behind. It is a song that tugs at the heartstrings in all the right places but knows when to slot in some rock before it becomes a soppy mess. From here in RBA seem to find their groove, creating soft rock tunes with a healthy helping of grit and rawness. 'Down Here Looking Up' provides the anthemic sing-along element for the album; tentative at first, it opens up into an atmospheric rock number with a crunchy guitar riff with a rousing chorus that commands the entire song. 'Down Here Looking Up' mercilessly steals the entire album.
Although keeping one foot firmly on Route 66, RBA inject some quirkiness into 'As Nature Intended' with 'Me And My Flashlight'. Quirky and funk fuelled with a surge of rockabilly and chugging guitars, 'Me And My Flashlight' breaks loose with full throttle vocals, making it intriguingly appealing. Having covered most of their influences already, RBA then turn their attentions to the slow acoustic number with 'Firefly', charmingly proving they can not only master the gritty soft rock and eccentric indie but the heart driven acoustic also.
RBA seem intent to mislead and confuse. Just when you think you have their style sussed they set off in another direction, although the belt out funk addled rock formula never seems too far from the surface. 'As Nature Intended' is the Eagles with a boisterous, rebellious funk edge, melodic and refreshingly unique. If The Feeling are bringing soft rock back to the radio, then RBA could follow suit, only with a very original indie quality and toting a rock funk missile that will blow every other group away as they blaze their trail down the open road. 11/13. Room Thirteen, August 2006