Animotion is a 80's New Wave/synthpop band best known for their songs Obsession (originally recorded and written by Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight of Device), Let Him Go, I Engineer and Room To Move. Formed in Los Angeles, United States in 1983 by Astrid Plane from the remnants of a retro science-fiction band called Red Zone, they signed a record deal with Polygram Records in 1984 and made three albums: Animotion, Strange Behavior and Animotion [1989]. In the late of 2011 they started recording their new album that is due to be released in 2012/2013. Astrid invented the name Animotion to convey energy and emotion. They recruited former L.A. Red Zone band members Frenchy O’Brien (drums), Paul Antonelli (keyboards) and Charles Ottavio (bass). Larry Ross (manager) quit CBS records to become their full time manager and he brought in Bill Wadhams (lead vocals + guitar) to front the band with Astrid. Another keyboard player was brought on board that same year when Greg Smith joined the band, together with lead guitarist Don Kirkpatrick. In March 1984 they did a showcase for Russ Regan of Polygram Records and inked the deal soon after. KROQ in Los Angeles, put Obsession on heavy rotation in December 1984. Frenchy O’Brien left the band before the recording of Strange Behavior and was replaced by Jim Blair. In the midst of recording their third album Animotion went through personnel changes as all three of the remaining founding members (Bill Wadhams, Astrid Plane and Charles Ottavio) departed. Following their departure, Ottavio and Plane married. Actress/dancer/singer Cynthia Rhodes, known for her performance as the character 'Penny Johnson' in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, replaced Plane as female lead singer. Former solo artist/Device member Paul Engemann replaced Wadhams as the male lead for Animotion's second self-titled album. When their third record did not live up to the chart expectations, the band split in 1990. In 2001 by special request from Alex Hart of KNRK in Portland, Oregon and with mega-effort from Bill, Animotion - once again with Astrid on lead vocals - reunited. In a display combining energy, emotion and intensity they played to a sold-out crowd. The band all agreed that it felt like magic to be onstage together again and Animotion Version 2001 was launched with Astrid Plane (lead vocals), Bill Wadhams (lead vocals + guitar), Charles Ottavio (drums), Don Kirkpatrick (lead guitar), Greg Smith (keyboards) and Kevin Rankin (drums).For more info please visit the official website: www.AnimotionLive.com OR http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animotion/159155150791076 Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
Animotion is a 80's New Wave/synthpop band best known for their songs Obsession (originally recorded and written by Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight of Device), Let Him Go, I Engineer and Room To Move. Formed in Los Angeles, United States in 1983 by Astrid Plane from the remnants of a retro science-fiction band called Red Zone, they signed a record deal with Polygram Records in 1984. Obsession: Best of. By Animotion 4.6 out of 5 stars 11. Audio CD More Buying Choices $14.95 (7 used & new offers) MP3 Music. 20th Century Masters The Best of Animotion. By Animotion 4.7 out of 5 stars 5. Audio CD Currently unavailable. Strange Behavior. By Animotion 4.
Similar artists:
Real LifeThompson TwinsBlancmangeHoward JonesBerlinAnimotion | |||
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Studio album by | |||
Released | 1984 | ||
Recorded | 1983 | ||
Studio | Artisan Sound Recorders, Bill Schnee Studios, Sound City Studios, The Village Recorder | ||
Genre | Synthpop, new wave | ||
Length | 39:56 | ||
Label | Mercury | ||
Producer | John Ryan | ||
Animotion chronology | |||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Animotion is the self-titled debut album from Los Angelessynthpop sextet Animotion. It was released in 1984 on Mercury Records and features the group's biggest hit single, 'Obsession'.
Later in 1984, the album was released in Canada as The Language of Attraction, omitting the song 'Turn Around.'[2]
Track listing[edit]
All songs written by Bill Wadhams, except where noted.[3]
- 'Obsession' (Michael Des Barres, Holly Knight) – 5:34
- 'Let Him Go' – 4:16
- 'Everything's Leading to You' – 4:42
- 'Turn Around' – 3:54
- 'Fun Fun Fun' – 3:44
- 'Tremble' (Jason Ball) – 4:32
- 'Holding You' – 4:40
- 'Run to Me' (Rick Neigher, Wadhams) – 4:13
- 'Open Door' (Don Kirkpatrick, Wadhams) – 4:05
Personnel[edit]
Animotion[4]
- Paul Antonelli – keyboards
- Don Kirkpatrick – guitars
- Frenchy O'Brien – drums, percussion
- Charles Ottavio – bass
- Astrid Plane – vocals
- Bill Wadhams – guitars, vocals
Additional personnel
- Dennis Belfield – bass[5]
- Gary Chang – synthesizers[6]
- Stevie Fryette – guitar[7]
- Greg Smith – keyboards[8]
- Jeff Stern – drums[9]
Production
- Produced by John Ryan[10]
- Recording engineers: Bob Schaper & Chris Minto, with assistance by Russ Bracher & Tim Dennen
- Mixed by Bob Schaper
- Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound Recorders
- Track 1 published by Pacific Island Publishing c/o Career Music & Makiki Publishing c/o Arista Music Inc. Tracks 2-5, 7 & 9 published by Big Wad. Track 6 published by Zone R Music/Big Wad. Track 8 published by Big Wad & Vogue Music c/o The Welk Music Group.[11]
Canadian release[edit]
The album was released in Canada with the title The Language of Attraction. The song 'Turn Around' was not included on this version, and 'Run to Me' (track #8 on the original version) was moved up track #4 in its place. By the time of The Language of Attraction 's release, keyboardist Greg Smith was listed as an official bandmember in the credits, while Paul Antonelli is simply listed as an 'additional musical contributor.'[2]
Chart performance[edit]
The album spent 17 weeks on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts and reached its peak position of #28 in May 1985.[12]
References[edit]
- ^Animotion at AllMusic
- ^ abAnimotion - The Language of Attraction @Discogs.com Retrieved 11-21-2015.
- ^Songwriting credits at discogs
- ^Personnel at discogs
- ^Dennis Belfield at discogs
- ^Gary Chang at discogs
- ^Steve Fryette @Discogs.com Retrieved 11-21-2015.
- ^Greg Smith at discogs
- ^http://www.jeffsterndrummer.com/about/
- ^Production information at discogs
- ^Publishing information at discogs; see images
- ^'Billboard 200: Animotion'. Billboard. 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
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