Anthology (stylised as ANThology) is the second studio album and major label debut studio album by American rock band Alien Ant Farm. It was released on March 6, 2001, through New Noize and DreamWorks Records. Following the self-release of the band's debut studio album, Greatest Hits (1999), they played several showcases in Los Angeles, California. At the end of 2000, Alien Ant Farm started recording their next album with producer Jay Baumgardner at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California. Their music was influenced by alternative metal, nu metal and pop-punk, and critics compared the album to the works of Incubus and A Perfect Circle.

"Movies" was released as Anthologys lead single in January 2001. Alien Ant Farm signed with Papa Roach's label, New Noize, before embarking on a United States cross-country tour with Linkin Park and Taproot, and supporting Orgy on their headlining tour. Following a two-week stint in Europe supporting Papa Roach, "Smooth Criminal" was released as the album's second single in June 2001. They appeared on that year's Warped Tour, and then re-release "Movies" in early 2002. The band toured Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the US. The third single, "Attitude", was released in May 2002.

Anthology received generally positive reviews from music critics, some of whom commented on Alien Ant Farm's energy and the songs' diversity. The album charted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200, while also reaching the top 40 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand. It would later be certified platinum in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the US. "Smooth Criminal" peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, alongside performing well on several Billboard component charts, and reached number one in Australia. "Movies" had some success on several Billboard component charts, while "Attitude" only charted in the UK.

Background and production

Vocalist Dryden Mitchell, guitarist Terry Corso, bassist Tye Zamora, and drummer Mike Cosgrove formed Alien Ant Farm in 1996. Alien Ant Farm self-released their debut studio album Greatest Hits through their own record label Chick Music Records. The band promoted the album with a tour in Europe, appearances at various festivals, and played several showcases in Los Angeles, California, in an attempt to secure a deal with another record label. After playing several shows together, Alien Ant Farm became well-acquainted with Papa Roach. When Papa Roach achieved commercial success, they were given ownership of the New Noize record label. While Alien Ant Farm was in Europe, producer Jay Baumgardner, known for his work with Korn and Slipknot, attended a Papa Roach show. A demo of Alien Ant Farm covering "Smooth Criminal" (1987) by Michael Jackson was playing over the speakers, which caught Baumgardner's attention. A month later, after producing Infest (2000) by Papa Roach, the A&R representative for that band contacted Baumgardner: This band, Alien Ant Farm, I think I should sign them.’ I said, ‘Yeah, they do that cover of Michael Jackson. It’s incredible. I think it’s a hit.’ And he said, ‘Would you do the record if I sign them?’ I said, ‘Yeah!

At the end of 2000, Alien Ant Farm were recording their next album at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, with Baumgardner. The rehearsal studio they used was located opposite Baumgardner's studio, which allowed him to witness what the band were working on at any given moment. They would tape ideas with a recorder, by which point, Mitchell would listen to it in his car and they would then come up with parts to add to it. nu metal and pop-punk, The band attempted vocal harmonies in the vein of the Electric Light Orchestra, Steely Dan, and Queen. The opening track "Courage" details a relationship which has reached its breaking point. Mitchell said the song is about comparing a relationship to cinema. "Smooth Criminal" is done in the nu metal style. Mitchell, whose first ever concert experience was seeing Jackson, explained that during one performance, Cosgrove and Zamora played a short snippet of it, which caught the attention of the crowd. Cosgrove subsequently bought a cassette of Bad so that the band could learn the track. The closing track "Universe" features a string arrangement by David Campbell. The hidden track "Orange Appeal" incorporates slide guitar by Hayes and flute by Yanick Vincent. Alien Ant Farm toured the West Coast of the United States in January and February 2001, followed by a cross-country trek with Linkin Park and Taproot. Anthology was released on March 6, 2001, on New Noize and DreamWorks Records. Mitchell said it was filmed over the course of 18 hours, "and no one was feeling the 'movie' vibe". Alien Ant Farm was due to support Papa Roach on a US headliner; however, it was canceled. Instead, they went on a club tour of the US West Coast, and supported Papa Roach on their European tour for two weeks. The European CD version featured "Orange Appeal", "Denigrate", and the "Smooth Criminal" music video; the UK version swapped "Orange Appeal" for "Movies". The music video for "Smooth Criminal", which was directed by Marc Klasfeld, sees the band performing in the middle of a boxing ring. Mitchell explained that either their label or MTV was attempting to connect the band with a soundtrack for the WWE. Klasfeld, who was living in New York City, had heard the song playing while in a gym. He was a popular video director that mainly worked with hip hop acts by likes of Insane Clown Posse and Nelly. His initial reaction upon hearing the cover was to laugh: "I saw the sense of humor in it. I just thought it was hilarious that a metal band was covering Michael Jackson. It was perfectly within my sensibility". He promptly contacted Alien Ant Farm's label with the aim of working with them, which was in contrast from labels and artists contacting him first. Alien Ant Farm appeared on the 2001 Warped Tour between June and August. Afterwards, they performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the United Kingdom. "Movies" was re-released as a single on February 4, 2002. The band decided to reissue "Movies", after the success of "Smooth Criminal", in an attempt to get the song to chart. The new video was shot over three hours with Klasfeld, and was described by Corso as "really moving and action-packed". The CD version included a remix and live acoustic versions of "Attitude", alongside live versions of "Universe" and "Stranded", and the music videos for the former two tracks. While traveling to a show, Alien Ant Farm was involved in a road accident near to Cáceres, Spain. Initial reporting said that the bus driver was killed, and Mitchell and Zamora ended up in hospital. The following day, the band explained they had been involved in a head-on collision, leaving their driver dead, and their security guard in critical condition. Six of Alien Ant Farm's crew members were also injured and taken to hospital with the band's members. Mitchell had sustained back injuries, and Cosgrove suffered a broken ankle. Zamora had foot injuries, while Cosgrove had cuts and bruises. Mitchell was moved to a special facility in London; he had a vertebral fracture, which prompt a metal rod being inserted into his back to stabilize his condition. A week after the incident, the band canceled all of their shows for the rest of the month, and into June 2002. They returned to performing in December as part of the charity showcase Drum Day in Los Angeles.

"Movies", "Attitude" and "Smooth Criminal" were included on the band's first compilation album, The Best of Alien Ant Farm (2008). These three, plus "Sticks and Stones", were included on the band's second compilation album, Icon (2013); the European edition expanded the selection to include "Courage", "Flesh and Bone", "Whisper", "Summer", "Stranded", "Wish" and "Death Day". In January 2016, Alien Ant Farm performed Anthology in full on a tour of the UK, with support from InMe and the Dirty Youth. A second leg was held in October and November 2016 with support from Hed PE, Kaleido and Sumo Cyco.

Critical reception

Anthology was met with generally favorable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 65, based on six reviews. AllMusic reviewer Mario Mesquita Borges noted the album displays "the band's alternate dexterity, not only due to [...] Mitchell's revealing vocals, but also by virtue of their deliverance of full-blooded melodies".

Commercial performance

Anthology peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard 200. It also appeared on several Billboard component charts: number one on Alternative Airplay, number 12 on Mainstream Top 40, number 17 on Active rock, number 18 on Mainstream Rock Songs, number 23 on Radio Songs, and number 27 on Heritage Rock. Outside of the US, it peaked at number one in Australia, number two in Finland, number three in the UK, number four in New Zealand and Switzerland, number five in Sweden, and number six in Austria. The song was certified double platinum in Australia by the ARIA, and platinum in the UK by the BPI.

"Movies" appeared on several Billboard component charts: number 18 on Alternative Airplay,

Alien Ant Farm

  • Dryden Mitchell – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Terry Corso – guitars, acoustic guitar
  • Tye Zamora – bass, backing vocals, upright bass, keyboards, additional guitars
  • Mike Cosgrove – drums

Additional musicians

  • David Campbell – string arrangement on "Universe"
  • Lenny Castro – percussion on "Attitude"
  • Gavin Hayes – slide guitar on "Stranded" and "Orange Appeal"
  • Yanick Vincent – flute on "Orange Appeal"
  • Jon Zamora – additional background vocals on "Flesh and Bone"

Production

  • Jay Baumgardner – producer, mixing
  • Tom Baker – mastering
  • James Murray – engineer, Pro Tools
  • Justin Harvey – assistant
  • Daniel Certa – mix assistant
  • John Ewing – additional Pro Tools
  • Brian Virtue – additional Pro Tools
  • PR Brown – art direction, design and photography
  • Ralf Strathmann – band photo

Charts

Weekly charts

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|+Weekly chart performance for Anthology

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! scope="col"| Chart (2001)

! scope="col"| Peak<br />position

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Year-end charts

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2001 year-end chart performance for Anthology

|-

! scope="col"| Chart (2001)

! scope="col"| Position

|-

!scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)

| 97

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!scope="row"| Canadian Albums (Billboard)

|align="center"|70

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!scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)

| 96

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!scope="row"| US Billboard 200

| 79

|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2002 year-end chart performance for Anthology

|-

! scope="col"| Chart (2002)

! scope="col"| Position

|-

!scope="row"| Canadian Metal Albums (Billboard)

| 70

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!scope="row"| Canadian Alternative Albums (Billboard)

| 145

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!scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)

| 189

|-

!scope="row"| US Billboard 200

| 110

|}

Certifications

References

Citations

Sources

<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices -->

  • Anthology at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)