Review
The Residents
Animal Lover

Mute (2005) — Kevin Fitzpatrick

The Residents – Animal Lover cover artwork
The Residents – Animal Lover — Mute, 2005

The Residents are an anomaly. This is an age where most music is the same regardless of how deep the scratch is. But whether their music is at its most simplistic and frivolous, or challenging and complex, there's an underlying malevolence beneath the songs that somehow make it seem all the more beautiful.

Animal Lover is the group's umpteenth recording and is probably the group's most accessible album to date. Another concept album, though this time using a concept of animals or something. I mean, they wear giant eyeballs for christsakes. Who the hell knows what they're trying to say? They make Fellini look like Nora Ephron. I know there are lots of Residents fans who love to analyze every single note and lyric, but you know what? Life's just too damn short; I have laundry to do.

Animal Lover is a much gentler listen than the previous Demons Dance Alone album - smoother transitions from track to track give it an almost soundtrack-type feel. Albeit a soundtrack to a film that'll probably never show in a town you live in and probably features something to do with Satan.

The Residents – Animal Lover cover artwork
The Residents – Animal Lover — Mute, 2005

Recently-posted album reviews

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan”If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they improve … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more