Strange Animal

Strange Animal
Studio album by Lawrence Gowan
Released	1985
Recorded	1984 at Starling Studios , London
Genre	Progressive rock, pop
Length	42:18
Label	Columbia Records
Producer	David Tickle
Lawrence Gowan chronology
Gowan (1982) Strange Animal (1984) Great Dirty World (1987)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Strange Animal is the second studio album by Canadian musician Lawrence Gowan, released in 1985. Despite not having an American release, Strange Animal is considered to be Gowan's breakthrough release; the album would go on to reach #5 on the Canadian album charts and spawned the singles "(You're a) Strange animal," 'A Criminal Mind," "Cosmetics" and "Guerilla Soldier".

Production and Background

Strange Animal was recorded in England at the Starling Studios in the Tittenhurst Park country house, which was owned by Beatles musician Ringo Starr at the time. The album was produced by British producer David Tickle.

The opening track, "Cosmetics", was inspired by Gowan's interest in the attractive and artistically sensitive, and the thin line between the deep and the superficial in the fickle world on modeling. Gowan's inspiration for the title track, "(You're a) Strange Animal", came from the writing's of Hermann Hesse and an interest pull that various individuals can have on life. "A Criminal Mind", which Gowan has often been asked to explain his inspiration for, was inspired by a character than Gowan imagined in his psyche. According to Gowan, the words in the song are that character's declaration. The title originated from a conversation Gowan had with a retired prison guard.^[2]

Legacy

In 1999, Lawrence Gowan became a permanent member of the American rock band Styx, replacing original front man and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Uncomfortable with performing Styx's song "Babe", which Deyoung had originally written for his wife, "A Criminal Mind" was subsequently added to Styx's setlist, and has since become a staple piece at concerts. The song would go on to be included in the live albums Styx World: Live 2001, 21st Century Live and One with Everything: Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra.^[3]

Track listings

All songs written and composed by Lawrence Gowan.

1. "Cosmetics" – 4:38
2. "Desperate" – 4:25
3. "City of the Angels" – 4:04
4. "Walking on Air" – 4:54
5. "Burning Torches of Hope" – 3:56
6. "Keep the Tension On" – 3:43
7. "Guerilla Soldier" – 4:35
8. "(You're a) Strange Animal" – 4:42
9. "A Criminal Mind" – 7:21

Return of the Strange Animal re-release

In 2010, Gowan rereleased Return of the Strange Animal, featuring a remastered version of the album's songs, as well as a documentary and three music videos. In May 2010, Gowan performed two solo shows in support of the 25th anniversary of the Strange Animal album.

Personnel

• Lawrence Gowan – vocals, keyboard
• Jerry Marotta – drums, background vocals
• Tony Levin – bass, stick
• Chris Jarrett – guitar
• David Rhodes – guitar

Singles

Awards and nominarions

Juno Awards

References