Anselmo Sucks

By Ynohtna Omlesna

As Anthony Anselmo pours another cup of coffee he points out the several Genesis album covers that strew his staircase wall. An fan of classic rock covers, laughing he points out how big Phil Collin’s head looks and how he got the proportions wrong on his ‘No Case Required’ album cover, a parody to Collin’s ‘No Jacket Required.’

“I’d probably crop it better for the re-master” he says sipping his morning caffenine, a drug he even admits to being addicted to. With four days away from his latest album “No… Really” Anthony is in quite chipper spirits and doesn’t seemed bothered at all.

“If you say this was your most ‘personal’ album, it will suck. If you say this was the best time you spent in the studio, it will suck. And if you say that this is an album you listen to yourself often… it will suck. So I’m going to say it sucks and then everyone will think it’s great!” he says.

Fortunately he doesn’t have to worry too much what people think, “No… Really” has already garnered the affection of multiple critics, let alone become one of the most eagerly anticipated albums, based on the gossip on the internet. The comedy song parody mixed with the pentameter indication from his friend’s Answering Machine messages, has become the 7th in his Answering Machine series.

Already a hit with his over twenty rock albums, four techo albums, the Answering Machine series which first started off as collections of funny and hysterical calls from friends and family, spun into some truly progressive dance and rock mixes. The last album ‘No Case Required’ a ‘best of’ of the music from the last five, went platinum last year, gaining him international star-dom in the ranks of comedy and rock art.

Now ‘No… Really” which continues the musical tradition of ‘No Case” builds upon the musical interpretation and playment with voices and messages. Everyone from his mother to his most distant friends, and sometimes even individuals who have the wrong number, have made it onto this package.

The first single set to be released the day of the album is a profound and touching interpretation and tribute to Anthony’s Mom and Dad. Joking Anthony points out how this album is a bit more personal than the last.

“The last one just sort of came together by accident. This one I definitely wanted to deliver some sort of message, and it’s an accumulation of everything that has happened with my life lately. There’s discussion even into politics, which I don’t usually like to get into, but I was quite compelled this time around with the past election.”

Everything from classic jazz to goofy midi sounds make it into this collection of stories interwoven with songs, and strange messages. Once again weird occurances of text taken out place and put with the right moment, seem to create a mood or atmosphere, that gives the album a very progressive edge.

At the ripe old age of (Anthony wouldn’t tell us at press time but did indicate that he is under 30 still) Anselmo continues to work in various media on various projects. His small apartment, is riddled with computer equipment, but kept very neat. In fact Anthony states most of his time at home is working on projects or ideas and he has very little free time anymore.

“If I’m not at home, I’m usually driving somewhere or talking over ideas with friends.” Today Anthony has a rough sketch session with his Another Late Night series companion Zach Covey, who helped to produce Anthony four techno albums.

No tour is tentatively planned but Anthony won’t rule out some one off performances here and there. While there is a general ‘wait and see what happens’ from the record company Anthony isn’t worried.

“I’m at the most exciting and thrilling point at my life right now, I get to create stuff I only dreamed of creating before.”

Thoughts ahead Anthony’s next album will probably be a couple of years away, but he promises that it should be the next step up.

“The third album always does well. In fact that is usually the definitive album.”

When asked if the comments from critics as saying “No Really” is definitive, Anthony just replies.

“It sucks…(sip)”

Download Cover Art

No Really Front Cover