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Reanimation

Giants Hide Among Us

Review by Mindy Minor

The Reanimation album Giants Hide Among Us features the works of Michael Shanahan. This CD was created over the course of three years (November of 2008 to August 2011) at Shady Way Studio, in Winfield, Illinois

This record falls in to the experimental, psychedelic, progressive, rock genre. The use of such instruments as e-bow, tin whistle and violins makes this album somewhat unique compared to the music we generally hear today. Most of the songs bring you back to the 1970s and could be compared (instrumentally) to the workings of songs by Pink Floyd and Rush.  This LP has eight tracks which will put you in a trance and take you on a relaxing ride. You can’t help but sway to the psychedelic instrumentals and be taken back in time.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012  Volume 2 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
The Wheel of Life

The opening number starts out as progressive rock but picks up around the four-minute mark and turns in to more of a pop feel.

Mara the Temple
This track showcases an incredible usage of all the unique instruments. That combined with the changing pace of the music, keeps you listening.
The Beautiful Unknown
“The Beautiful Unknown” is one of the first songs on the disc to have vocals by Michael Shanahan. This track is melodic and simply beautiful. At the two-minute, twenty-four second mark you can’t help but close your eyes and get lost in the song.
The Single Song of All
This cut has the title of the album in it. The eerie beginning quickly jumps to a rock feel with guitar riffs and effective use of drums.
Repentance
One of the shortest numbers on this album, this also manages to boldly use all instruments and give you some pretty good foot tapping inspiration.
That Is All
The use of synthesizers is very apparent in this piece.  There is very much a 1980s feel to it in the beginning, then it develops into more experimental music. The lyrics are meant to make you think. While the instrumentals are great, the vocals just aren’t as strong.
A New Dawn
This number feels fairly repetitive. It doesn’t pick up with excitement until the last minute of the song.
Diffusing the Bomb

The longest song on the album (13:03) and the one that seems to be more about showing off the vocals, this is well written. However the harmony was very basic and didn’t seem to flow very well. Some notes were a bit off key and possibly outside of Shanahan’s vocal range.  

  
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