"More complex than ever, Red Animal War has incorporated elements of razor-sharp guitar swipes into Breaking In An Angel. Displaying jolting rhythms and high pitched chords, vocalist Justin Wilson's warm voice continuously holds down a shade of tranquility, pulling back the madness. Sometimes non-linear like early Braid, sometimes straight-ahead and smarter than The Get Up Kids, but always structurally interesting, Red Animal War is a band on the rise." - Lollipop

"On the basis of the songs on Breaking In An Angel, Red Animal War would be happiest heading down the highway with little more than a box full of fondly nurtured but irretrievably broken dreams, shattered hopes and ragged romanticism. With a bass line rumbling like a hungry python, 'Dark Country' romps toward its grim climax. The rolling toms add their dark weight to singer Justin Wilson's furiously resigned 'Some goodbyes were meant to last a lifetime,' and the previously spry guitar riffs take on the sour metallic tang of recent defeat. Red Animal War nimbly traces the patterns of erratic emotions with bursts of supremely confident melody that alternate with tentative, insecure squalls that circle back on themselves until a resolution is reached and the band takes joyous flight once again. Brooding, but never bleak or hopeless, Breaking In An Angel combines sadness with the slim solace of transcendence and mutability." - FW Weekly

"Red Animal War cover the songs on Breaking In An Angel with turn-on-a-dime dynamics, pop-punk riff sensibility, heartfelt emotion and sharply written melodies. Everything is done exceptionally well. There is an added weight to this record that gives it enough 'oomph' to stand out. Red Animal War busts the seams with this focused and dynamic record, keeping the production interesting and creating a collage of change ups to keep each song entertaining." - Slave

"Excellent post-emo in a DC vein from Red Animal War. On Breaking In An Angel, the band puts their own spin on things, using interesting studio tricks, dubbing in sounds from other sources and so on. The production is super clean, the band is tight and the music is good. What more can you ask for?" - Jersey Beat

"Melodic tunes that are notably tight with their changes, which there are quite a few of. Red Animal War reminds me of Cursive, musically and vocally. The song Starter rocks." - Punk Planet

"On Breaking In An Angel, new Deep Elm upstarts Red Animal War really have something going on here. The album is pierced with angular, jazzy and clever strokes that really push the songs forward. Hard to pin down or neatly pigeonhole, as each song possesses an array of styles and ideas with a good use of samples, mixing techniques and rhythm changes to screw with a metronome. The vocal harmonies on Breaking In An Angel are awesome. They compliment each other perfectly and are often the key to pulling the song into a rocky and hooky chorus from out of the rolling and clean verses. Red Animal War are a pretty special indie rock band who have created a bunch of great, innovative and intriguingly catchy songs. Clever stuff." - Fracture

"The musicianship present on Breaking In An Angel by Red Animal War is undeniable. They play disjointed DC style indie rock, and it's incredible. The last song on the album, the meditative Get-Away Driver, completely blows me away with its knowingly restrained, controlled and focused intensity. If half of the emo and indie bands out there were half as good as Red Animal War, the world would be a much better place." - Superhero

"There's something very different about Red Animal War, and they've managed to do something on Breaking In An Angel that I haven't seen many bands pull off - their music is both fast and slow at the same time. They know how to write dramatic, powerful music and it shows on every song. The guitars swell and stop and break at every key point. It's an amazing thing. The lyrics are well done too...not too cryptic but not to straightforward either. Bottom line, a very well-done, well-written all around emotional rock album." - Obese

"Red Animal War do some interesting things on Breaking In An Angel and I really enjoy these songs. This record was stuck in my CD player for dozens of listens. Providing plenty of alterations and energy, Red Animal War play a driving, angry version of toned down hardcore meets emo...equal parts Hot Water Music and Jawbox. Aggressively changing rhythms, vocals that go from a croon to a growl and driving guitar lines make up these eleven powerful songs. When all is said and done, Red Animal War impress me as a powerful and talented band and on Breaking In An Angel, they manage to keep up the urgency and intensity." - Delusions of Adequacy

"Embracing mathematical structures wrapped in a subdued package, Breaking In An Angel is a record with complexities that do well to showcase Red Animal War as one hell of a band, with much on their mind. It may take a number of listens to begin to fully realize what Red Animal War are all about, and Breaking In An Angel's vast depth is one that requires much in the way of patience and effort on the part of the listener. Yet for all of its quirkiness, Breaking In An Angel manages to capture a sense of purpose for those who are paving the way. And with that kind of conviction, one can follow blindly without being too worried about never making it back to the original idea. Just be ready to embark on a journey through a slice of Americana where the side roads may be as interesting as the highway." - PunkRocks

"Red Animal War can be quite chaotic at times. Sudden bursts and key changes can bring about a sense of mystery on Breaking In An Angel and will keep you on your toes for every note. The overall themes of disappointment and of loneliness easily strike a chord. However, these themes eventually lead to ones of optimism. Coming off as very delicate one minute and ready for battle the next, Breaking In An Angel is one of the most varied records you can pick up this year. If you like music complex and eclectic, Red Animal War just may be your ticket to ride." - United Front

"More than just another emo band, Red Animal War play a melodic brand of postpunk with a bit of an edge. The band fills each song with poignant lyrics and angry moments to go right along with the softer more melodic ones. There's a ton of promise on Breaking In An Angel, and Red Animal War manages to find enough variety to make a sound all their own in a genre that seems to be full of more and more imitators every day." - Gotpunk

"I was introduced to Red Animal War by a kickin' track on The Emo Diaries Chapter Four, and on their debut 'Breaking In An Angel' they sound just as good, if not better. The record starts out with a track that reminds me a bit of Jawbox with a chimy distorted guitar and lead vocalist Justin Wilson's voice that is always on the verge of cracking. Red Animal War are a band that have the dynamic thing down pat, changing gears mid-song in order to provide the listener with loads of variety. With their heartfelt lyrics and angry breakdowns, their power lies not only in their creativity with their instruments but their arrangements and lyrics as well. Watch as they move into position to knock The Promise Ring and The Get Up Kids off the podium. It won't be an issue with this talent." - Music Emissions

"Red Animal War is an awesome, dynamic and powerful quartet and their debut record Breaking In An Angel has the intensity of some of Jawbox's best material while also capturing the quirky, creative orchestration of Braid. Using unusual start-stop and ever changing guitar parts, this album pushes forth with each track, building intensity through strong melodies, pounding rhythms and emotional force, never once letting up musically, lyrically or vocally." - Impact Press

"Breaking In An Angel from Red Animal War is a solid release full of start / stop dynamics and tempos. That in itself will keep the listeners on their feet, but his record is a winner all the way around...including the vocals and lyrics. A mix of math rhythms and the layering of instruments intensifies these songs into melodic anthems that are worth singing. This will jerk you and smoothly set you down in a world of comfort." - Invisible Youth

"Alas, the long awaited debut full length album by Dallas' Red Animal War. It has been a long time since I've been waiting for this to come out, and Breaking In An Angel is everything I expected it to be. Emotional, pop lacing, solid rock riffs and dynamic unexpected outbreaks of chaos. The instrumentation is complex, with one interesting riff or drum beat layering another. Very impressive for a first album! This will appeal to music fans all across the board." - punktuation

"On Red Animal War's Breaking In An Angel, two words keep coming to mind - hopeful and schizophrenic. Hopeful because unlike their contemporaries, Red Animal War's music encourages and uplifts. Sure, it has its share of words about betrayal and disappointment, but the overall theme seems to be one of optimism. Musically, however, this Texas foursome seems schizophrenic in that they are all over the place. But they pull it off very well. Melodies, to stops and starts. Screaming vocals to spoken words. Jangly guitars and blunt bass lines cover up confident drumwork and droning vocals. Forceful and straight ahead it all meshes, yet once you feel comfortable with their brand of rock, don't be surprised if they throw something kind of quirky at you. Kind of different, yet interesting. Get it and rock." - Action Attack Helicopter

"In a word, Red Animal War is jarring. The quartet specializes in intricate start-stop rhythms that give their tunes a desperate urgency. The guitars mirror the rhythms by creating a complex patchwork out of lines that, if considered alone, would sound simplistic. Added to this unsettling mix are the vocals of Justin Wilson and Matt Pittman, who overlay and interrupt one another, further heightening the sensation of crisis. Heavy in the emotional sense of the word, Breaking in an Angel is a fine disc to play." - Splendid

"I sincerely enjoy Red Animal War and their debut, Breaking In An Angel. The band plays melodic indie punk-ish rock. It's what I might call post-Dischord rock. Tight, melodic, intricate and thrown down with just the right amount of start / stop dynamics to keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next beat to drop. Good stuff." - Yahtzeen

"With a heavy emphasis on strident guitar style, Red Animal War's 'Breaking In An Angel' takes that insistent sound and melds it into a prog pop vision, creating something new and yet comfortingly familiar. The tunes are played precisely and technically. The production is sharp, but not on edge. There's enough of a rawness to keep the intricate playing from detracting from the humanity of the songs themselves...which is good, considering the intimate nature of what's going on here. An involved and demanding set, Red Animal War play a good mix of old and new, spun into a fine synthesis. Intriguing." - Aiding And Abetting

"Dynamic, intelligent and emotional...and that's just after the first song on Breaking In An Angel. Red Animal War encompasses all aspects of the underground but adds certain freshness into the mix. Starting with the restrained melody of Weak Bones My Break, this record flows from song to song and each time being more and more creative with intricate guitar work and rhythms. This is honest and beautiful and it's quite close to being a perfect record for me." - Mass Movement

"Red Animal War don't sound like your average band on Breaking In An Angel. Every time I listen to this, I like it more and more. The band distinguishes itself, showing a lot of intensity and innovation that other acts don't have. Red Animal War is really worth listening to...melodic, unusual and complex music for open minded and diverse people." - Silent Stagnation

"Music that can stick a screwdriver between your ribs and yet lull you to sleep." - PunkNews

"With Red Animal War's 'Breaking In An Angel' we're talking hard boiled stop-start dynamics. We're talking sublime time structure adjustments and pristine complexity that flows in such an easy way. Red Animal War embody delicate, mellow and emotional schizophrenics. They jerk and jolt in such a rewardingly awkward way, yet they always flow so so easily. Red Animal War can be delicate and restrained, but they can bite ferociously. And they can also add to the kinetic creation with some rather considered, powerful lyrics when they need to. A post-punk emo-core set of creative musical treats. Recommended." - Organart

Weak Bones May Break like father like son. there's a poison in their blood it must run. and what have they done but destroy the one illusion. not everything's fine. can you see it crumbling from the inside. eight seconds of time and what did they find. are we really that blind. camelot gives crowns you know. the charisma brought him downtown. they rang out like church bells at three. was it for us not to question. judas must have kissed his head. to mark the spotlight's covered with their filter. do you think they would believe you. do you think they don't. are you sure they won't. and what have we become. as a child you notice nothing but the air outside is cold. where have the good days gone. please don't ask that question of no confession. but fair share of introspection. a fair share of introspection Anthem draw the flag line. our dove's in the sky. this war is over. build your bridges up tall. replant your seeds and pray for rain. tell me is it lonely in the bottle. the foundation slid down sand dunes 'til it shattered. nothing matters but this song right now. a breaking heart. it still makes a sound. even when there's no one near to hear it. give me my pipe dreams. puncture my feet with pins and needles. the sky meets the horizon somewhere. if there's confusion with just what you want. hold yourself up to the light. and see what you're made of. don't let them get the best of you. do you hear. do you hear the whispers. programmed to fail and destined to crack. like the ball against the bat. these words that used to hold no water. collect and fill this bucket of blood. and you dream when that's all you have left. and words will never describe the way that we feel. and this time the music might fail to speak for me. when you dream does it seem all too real now Safe In The Air i can't believe it's on your shoulders. with unbound hands this end is thin. don't slow down boy. make numb your heart before it swallows you whole. this is rain. and what you want isn't what you got. but this time i swear you will be free. from everything and everyone. of those poison voices that ring inside your mind. chasing to never find that razors will rust. this is not us. weight the world down without a word. i can't open you're only safe here in the air. back and forth. meet again. here is the chance you've waited for. hearing the echo from that farthest door. but i can't swim this dark lake alone. and where is the proof that this has been more black. than this has been golden. and you're almost there. this has been golden one too many times before. tell me what i want to hear. everyone is built in fear of everything they know and trust. this is not us. anymore than it is you Starter give me something beautiful. i'll believe your lies. just tell me one thing. is it worth the pain. hey it's a miracle. i made it out alive. this house is empty much like my own advice. everyone's got everyone now. no one's without a theme. burning bridges taste like ashes. sing along and bury me. there's something beneath your skin. tempting all your senses from within. and tell me where have you been. all this time. all this time buried under. dear mother send me something good. in the slight case that i might be so misunderstood. and still you throw your pennies down. i can't. won't sound. i'd like to watch this image burn. give me something beautiful. i'll believe your lies. just tell me one thing. is it worth the pain. hey it's a miracle. i made it out alive. this house is empty much like my own advice. so tell me i'm to die for. all this time. all this time buried under Dark Country i can see from here to venice. and everywhere i look it's in us. close the door this might be the last time. put yourself in my shoes. it's not hard friend you've been there before. sympathize with my blues. she showed up at the in-store. yeah the pain she gave to me. is the time she set me free. she's still turning coats like it's not december. i'm quick to bleed and i hope she remembers me. i can see from here to venice. and everywhere i look it's in us. i can see from here to venice. and every time she talks i hear it. some goodbyes were meant to last a lifetime Blue Shift peer through the cracked stained glass. closely observe. open up your mouth. follow it down. you'll never learn. go witch-hunt your friends. go shed skin. blue shift the blame. all i want we just can't get. and i believe there's nothing missing. say goodbye to your insides. your silence speaks loud. is this not how you wanted things. is this the sound inside your doubt. dragged down by all that you said you would be now. dragged down in time. dragged down tonight. peer straight through the cracked stained glass. closely observe. open up your mouth. follow it down. you'll never learn. go witch-hunt your friends. go shed skin. blue shift the blame. all i want we just can't get. and i believe there's nothing missing. goodbye inside. you're hollowed out and broken. two by four. five in the morning. let's hear what you have to say. you're pushing for a reaction. but you hold no weight. and jealous hands feed jealous ways From Cold To Colder thanks for waiting patiently. i'm sure you'll see daisies in your dreams. it's hard not to feel betrayed. but don't give in and say. so long to those golden years. this is a free test to see. to see your true colors. as they're turning out to be gray you say. this is behind you. but we know better from the tone you've kept. i sense the change in your emotions. from cold to colder. don't behave this way. don't be too proud to pray for me. i can't explain. but it's not worth it in the end. when they're gone. and this song no longer echoes through the hallways. of this age old clinic. thanks for waiting patiently. i'm sure you'll see daisies in your dreams. it's hard not to feel betrayed. but don't give in and say. so long to those golden years. this is a free test to see. to see your true colors Heath it's the money. not the principle. it's the taste of wine from a plastic fishbowl. it's so funny versus what you know. it's the scent of them that always brings you home. dead of winter sets inside your soul. silent slumbering. but since when was peace our goal. and you know you could be anything here. but so scared. afraid of how it might go. second guess this looking glass show. i'm feeling low. sink your teeth in the snow. break these heels and let it go. loosen your grip and let the blood flow. burning time on the anthills. with your jackets on fire. nevermind this small razor slip up. cut a grin and carve out a smile. at the center of downtown. i'm screaming my fair lungs out. can i get an amen. my friends i'm slipping now. sink your teeth in the snow. break these heels and let it go. loosen your grip and let the blood flow Hope their skies turn black. their floors fall out. it rains for what seems like forever and ever. and thicker than water even thicker than blood. they press on. when the road has ended at the end of the world. just remember. what doesn't kill you makes you that much stronger. be still my friend in time. you only have to know. things will get better. we're by your side. have faith. remember the good times. don't try so hard to make sense. out of anything at all now. when there's no explanation. when you're feeling somewhat conquered. there is hope The Disappearing Act there must be red paint on the walls. because i've cussed you out again. the fire behind your eyes burns in your fingers. and i felt the warmth on my face. there had to be poison in the water. when i told you to go to hell. this city has had its way with you for the last time baby. and i heard from a friend through a friend. that you're losing your mind again. but you're not here and i'm screaming at a blank wall. do i deserve these ghost legs. just like a soldier. they're my spoils of war. and i'll write as many songs as i want to. about what i've done. where i've been. who i've loved. and what i've been through. all that i've been through. there's something peculiar about the weather. it's fall all year 'round here. because you're making and breaking and staking and faking your claims. so much for the disappearing act. do i deserve these ghost legs. just like a soldier. they're my spoils of war. you know it. we blew it. you're giving up. i'm giving out. erasing. replacing. my ghost legs are feeling numb Get-Away Driver (instrumental)