Annuals - Be He Me
by Stuart Leech
published: 8 / 8 / 2007
Label:
Virgin
Format: CD
intro
Debut album from British group Annuals, which if one can get beyond initial Arcade Fire comparisons, proves to be thoroughly convincing
Annuals seem to have a very formidable sound, layers upon layers of instruments highlighting lead singer’s Adam Baker’s malleable vocals. From the opener 'Brother', probably the standout track, you know you are in for something different. There is one problem though. It sounds a lot like the Arcade Fire. Now that’s obviously not a bad thing on a whole, but it’s hard to tell where influences begin and where cashing in ends. On the first listen I couldn’t get over the comparison but this album has much more to it than I gave credit for. For starters Annuals are much more happier; flippant pianos sound like something out of Mary Poppins while guitar riffs also play an important part of the ongoing journey through the Annuals' musical world. The beauty with this album is the arrangement; each instrument has been carefully recorded for maximum effect. 'Mama', a track late on in the album, is one of those simple yet layered acoustic tracks which gets better with every listen. After my first impressions past I found a great album. There’s not a poor track on there. Baker seems to have carved out his very own place along side some of best music of the last few years and at only 20 years old there‘s not many people who can claim that.
Track Listing:-
1 Brother2 Dry Clothes
3 Complete or Completing
4 Carry Around
5 Chase You Off
6 Bleary Eyed
7 Fair
8 The Bull and The Goat
9 Mama
10 Ida, My
11 Father
12 Sway
Label Links:-
http://www.virginrecords.com/https://www.facebook.com/virginrecords
https://twitter.com/virginrecords
https://instagram.com/virginrecords/
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart