Band:	Alien Ant Farm
Album:	Anthology
Style:	Alternative metal
Release date:	2001
A review by:	omne metallum

01. Courage
02. Movies
03. Flesh And Bone
04. Whisper
05. Summer
06. Sticks And Stones
07. Attitude
08. Stranded
09. Wish
10. Calico
11. Death Day
12. Smooth Criminal [Michael Jackson cover]
13. Universe

Omg! I remember them! 

Cast your mind back to the turn of the millennium: The Sims was the hottest video game going, mobile phone batteries were measured in days, not hours, and, for a brief period, one of the biggest metal bands of the moment were a group of ant farmers from outer space. Yes, there was a time when Alien Ant Farm were all over the radio, thanks to the unexpected smash success of a cover of "Smooth Criminal". Oft remembered as a one-hit wonder, there was more to the band than a sole cover song; there were a few other songs too. 

If you jump into Anthology expecting an album of upbeat alt metal bangers, you are going to be sorely disappointed; despite the band's biggest hits being energetic crowd rousers, much of the album is dull, mid-paced tracks that go nowhere fast... well, at walking pace anyway. These alt-metallers had talent; unfortunately they didn't apply it in a way that played to their strengths, instead leaning, nay, falling into their weaknesses. 

Still, before we dissect what this colony of clusterfuck has in store, perhaps it's best to look at what Alien Ant Farm got right. Anyone who remembers when music channels played actual music videos (old man yells at sky) will likely remember "Movies", a song and video that ensure Anthology is more than just empty space around one track. Heck, my abiding memory of the album is "Wish", thanks to the Tony Hawks Pro Skater Three soundtrack; alongside "Smooth Criminal", these three songs are the high spots of the album, which, alongside "Courage" and "Attitude", would make for a solid EP, at the very least. 

Anthology is well produced; though it lacks much in the way of charm or personality, it does present the music well, with everything balanced and audible. What feels like a missed opportunity for the band is the poor utilisation of Tye Zamora, a bass player with clear talent, but one that rarely gets to showcase his talent in an interesting manner. The rest of the band aren't bereft of talent, but again, the songwriting rarely lets them showcase it. 

Perhaps I was harsh earlier in my description of the album, for perhaps the most abiding shortcoming with Anthology is that it is boring, oh, so very boring. Where the band found their success was not in their standard forte, that being mid-paced alt metal that is so formulaic and bereft of excitement that it becomes a chore to listen to. "Flesh And Bones" and "Calico" could easily be interchanged with "Sticks And Stones" or "Universe" and I'd struggle to notice, with no song having a hook or riff that helps separate it from the others. This is perhaps the abiding takeaway you will get from Anthology as a whole, rather than the few select tracks that gave the band notoriety. 

Alas, much like many nostalgia trips, rose-tinted glasses can distort the truth and hide the reality behind the facade. If you remember Anthology for its singles, you'd think Alien Ant Farm were these upbeat alt rockers, rather than the middling mid-paced borefest they too often were.