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 Just Joy Feb 02, 2009
I can't describe them, compare them, or analyze them, I just know they make me very happy, lol, and after all what is music for?
They make me want to sing shout dance for joy, with their excuberance - and at the same time chill with headphones on, so I can get the full effect of the depth and lush sounds.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Best albumn in a while Oct 22, 2007
Ill start off by saying that it's been a while since I was blown away by a new band. A friend of mine gave me a copy of the Annual's 5 song EP, Big Zeus, and I was instantly hooked. Three of the 5 sings from Big Zeus made their way to Be He Me, but unfortunately, they left my favorite song, "Ease My Mind", off. Be He Me starts off with a bang of emotion, a drum driven anthem that begs you to sing along. Throughout the course of the the next 11 song, they wind their way through every genre you can shake a stick at, blending them all into a wonderful storybook of an albumn. I can't say stongly enough how much I enjoy listening to this record. I can't wait to see them live.
4 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Indie rock is doing well and in good hands Mar 26, 2007
I had the opportunity of seeing Annuals playing live when they opened for The Dears in Orlando earlier in 2006. The musical brainchild of Adam Baker, "Be He Me" is also an album loaded with emotions: with songs titled "Bother", "Mother" and "Father" (some of the best in the album, arguably), it is amazing such musical and lyrical depth will come not an old sage, but from someone who recently turned 20.
Their music is as compelling as their live stage presence, bringing to mind the likes of Arcade Fire, Flaming Lips and Broken Social Scene, with whom they are often compared. With this as their debut album and a lineup of bandmembers (currently six) none of whom exceed 22, we know one thing for sure: indie rock is doing well and in good hands.
11 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 More emotional creative indie rock for the mid-oughts Mar 23, 2007
I haven't heard The Annuals live, I haven't read press about them, I don't know anything about them, but somehow I ended up with this "Be He Me" record. I love approaching music that way.
Anyway. Look, some folks see great harm in comparing a band to other bands, but really it's still probably the best way for a newcomer to get their bearings and decide whether they might be interested. So, here I go... I hear the oft-mentioned Arcade Fire similarities, the emotional sometimes shouty vocals and changes in dynamics, I hear a little of the Animal Collective weirdness (the album challenges your patience with almost 2 minutes of burbly noise to start the 1st song off before the big rock songlet "Brother" kicks in), I hear a bit of Van Dyke Parks/Beach Boys inventiveness (I don't give a cr*p what anyone says, I see the fact that indie bands are willing to waltz as a good thing). "Carry Around" has a kind of Modest Mouse sprinkled w/ '70s funk/lounge thing. I might guess that this is a young band that cut their teeth on both U2 and Neutral Milk Hotel. (Heck, the last 20 seconds of "Bleary-Eyed" sound like an outtake from "Unforgettable Fire").
I feel like the album drags towards the end with two longish (and longing) tracks that seem less interesting and focused than the rest of the album.
Having said all that, I applaud these Annuals for their creativity. While this album is a little bit lacking in great melodic ideas, it's got great energy and here's hoping they'll keep recording and growing.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
excellent indie album Jan 21, 2007
This album could be one of 2006's best releases. It's intricate, broad, evocative musical strokes are fantastic. These guys are one of the better groups in the modern legion of indie rock. this album is definitely worth your money.
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