The 10 tracks on the album share common themes: they are all autobiographical pieces that discuss the relationship between man and man, and man and technology in the 21st century; themes of loneliness, alienation, racism, social distances, global warming, family conflicts, and the problems of life in modern society. All the songs relate to the concept of “who we are (as a species) and where we are going.” These are truly magnificent and poetic lyrics, masterfully interpreted by Courtney Swain; there's no need to go into detail: Swain's voice is stunning, and on “Land Animal” she delivers an absolutely intense and breathtaking performance; it's top-notch! Listen to them live: there are several on YouTube; the band has also released two full concerts, and you'll find the live versions of “Holy Ghost” and “Terror Bird.”
Musically, “Land Animal” differs from the band's previous works, where the songs had more homogeneous structures and developed into long pieces dominated by harmonic/melodic variations; “Land Animal” is instead more focused on groove (according to Bent Knee themselves) and the search for a concise and accessible form, making it more immediate than the earlier works, even though the music remains complex and layered, lending itself to different levels of interpretation.
Land Animal is a kaleidoscope of musical genres, sensations, and various influences that flow.
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