"The Animals" is a self-titled album by the British rhythm and blues rock group The Animals. Released in the United States in 1964, it was The Animals' first full-length album following their breakout hit single "House of the Rising Sun", which topped both the US and UK singles charts. Unlike the later UK version of the album, which featured only original compositions and renditions of traditional songs, this American album included mostly R&B covers such as "Blue Feeling" and "Baby Let Me Take You Home." The album also captured the band at their early bluesy best with Eric Burdon's powerful vocals leading the charge.
The album showcases the band's raw and vigorous approach to R&B and rock, characterised by Burdon's distinctive gruff, shouting vocal style and the band's tight, potent musical backing. This sound, a pioneering blend of electric blues with rock rhythms, would later be termed "British rhythm and blues" and was hugely influential on many later rock and pop groups. The album was commercially successful, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard 200, helping to further solidify the band’s position in the rock and roll scene.
