Meet Christian Imes, the driving force behind “Animals in Denial,” an alternative music project that exemplifies dedication and musical exploration.

Christian’s musical journey began at the young age of 14, when he received his first guitar. From playing in local bands to venturing into the realm of self-produced music, Christian has been unwavering in his pursuit of passion and skill.

As a self-taught guitarist, he not only mastered the strings but also delved into programming synthesizers, playing drums, and bass guitar, constantly seeking new avenues for creative expression.

Animals in Denial have released their brand new album, “Crash Course Volume 1: Blue Light Special”. With 6 well crafted tracks, Imes uses an array of instruments, from baritones to vintage Strats demonstrating his versatility. The integration of AI tools in the revisited versions add a layer of sophistication, underscoring the evolving landscape of music production.

Each track is meticulously crafted, with a keen sense of balancer and trust in the song writing process. There is also a distinct departure from the industrial goth scenes that echo throughout the album, forming an overarching theme of overcoming negativity and persevering in artistic creation.

Opening track “Because Reasons Revisited” is the first release from the revisited series of songs originally released rough demos.

Crafting the song “Catch Me” involved harnessing the expressive capabilities of a Zoom A1 processor and the resonant tones of a Baritone Antiqua Squier, a hidden gem from the Vintage Modified Series equipped with Duncan Designed pickups – an instrument that belies its $350 price tag. Despite a subtle bass track, deliberately mixed low to avoid overshadowing the baritone’s robust presence, the song found its thematic core in heartfelt lyrics dedicated to Imes’ wife. Drawing inspiration from the nostalgic charm of 50’s pop, particularly channeling the spirit of Buddy Holly, “Catch Me” effortlessly coalesced with the guitar itself playing a defining role in its seamless creation.

The song “Hope” unveils itself with a unique concept – capturing the essence of a band improvisation and programming a jazz infused beat with a hip hop groove, laying the groundwork for an unconventional track. As Logic and Ableton join forces, the main verse, chorus riffs, and chords were meticulously explored, revealing a song that can be initially heard in the mind before any noted were played. This process, marked by first and final takes, characterizes not only “Hope” but all the tracks born during this creative period.

Drawing inspiration from the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, the contemplation of a more jazz influenced Hendrix led to a captivating song. The result is a six minute track featuring two solo sections, where a handful of guitar tracks, recorded in their raw unedited form weave intricate lead licks into the composition.

“Reminder Revisited”  is a fun song using Imes 1985 Gibson Les Paul Studio on. It is heavily inspired by cheap trick with a dash of country swing in the chorus. Lyrically, its meant as a little love note to Imes’ wife, and is really about making sure she remembers how much she is loved and appreciated:

 “she always leaves me little post-it notes reminding me of how much she loves me and so I thought, why not make a song that, whenever she hears it, she knows its my post-it note to her and for all the world to see and hear.”

Musically, “Reminder Revisited” is inspired by cheap trick, but also has a catchy nature to its choruses and has intersections of rock, blues and country written into it.

Imes says:

“ I like how the natural intersections between rock, blues and country just seem to come out of nowhere. It’s beyond exciting and you can tell you’re really drilling inside of the music. You become one with it. Again, using the RP50 for guitar sounds and making use of the same Rogue bass. Really happy with the way the revisited version turned out. The AI really did a big portion of the work with this one, the only thing I changed was the overall loudness. I was honestly shocked and had to ask my kids to come listen to make sure I wasn’t crazy, as it was done quick. If used in the right conditions, the AI assistants in Izotope software will get rid of the car check. I love that!”

Overall, this album is versatile and punchy. It draws influence from 90’s alternative rock, with nods to Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, and Queen, contributing to a diverse and rich musical sound.

The revised format provides a clear overview of each song, the instruments used, musical styles, and production insights, along with general notes and insights into the artist’s philosophy and influences.

The album’s cover art, a product of AI guided by Imes’s prompts, symbolizes the fusion of artistic vision and technological collaboration.

Looking ahead, Imes expresses not only satisfaction but genuine excitement for the future of AI in the creative realm. His call for fellow artists to embrace these new tools collaboratively resonates to show how much music production has advanced.

Stay current with Animals In Denial on their Website and social media Facebook.

Stream music on YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.