Raleigh's Annuals are frustrating. I've never wanted to like a band more than this one probably, but no matter how many tries I give them, I can't quite like them. Their first album, Be He Meshowed a lot of promise, but their follow-up Such Fun didn't generate the same following, turning more grand-pop-orchestral than indie-folk. Their songs are perfectly calculated. Precise, efficient...moving even.Sweet Sister does not seem as bombastic as Such Fun, but the backbone still maintains this grandiosity. In an indie world where everything seems scruffy, Annuals come off as smug.
The EP opens with some type of motor/air duct sound--a good lead in for something for rough and tumble. Instead "Loxstep" is again U2-lite meets even preppier Vamp Weekend pop. Their sounds, their instruments all sound "off-beat" so to speak, but does not quite resonate fully.
Which doesn't make sense. In all regards, with the increased interest in world & afro-pop & international sounds, Annuals should be full steam ahead. Instead, it's more of a dense, distracting, pretty smoke. Beauty really that doesn't quite connect.
I need more straight-ahead pop-folk-rock like "Flesh and Blood." The melody is simple, comprehensible with flourishes used in the right moments, not in the whole song, the formula that was so successful on Be He Me. Maybe Annuals need a step back for a step forward.
Just really getting into Raleigh's American Aquarium. Got some Lucero stuff going on, for sure, but American Aquarium is a bit breezier, a tad poppier without sucking at it. Don't mind the organ either, really. Also, BJ Barham might be the coolest name in the history of cool alt-country names.
They seem to be on tour all the time and this time looks just as intense. Going to the Show in Wilmington with Annuals and Lonnie Walker. What a blast.
Dances For The Lonely is their album. Try and get it. Tour dates through Feb. after the jump...
Jan 14 2010 9:00P The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge w/ The Annuals Wilmington, North Carolina
Jan 15 2010 11:00P Home Team BBQ (West Ashley) Charleston, South Carolina
Jan 16 2010 11:00P The Jinx Savannah, Georgia
Jan 17 2010 9:00P Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida
Jan 18 2010 9:00P Will’s Pub Orlando, Florida
Jan 19 2010 9:00P New World Brewery Tampa, Florida
Jan 20 2010 9:00P Backstage Lounge Gainesville, Florida
Jan 21 2010 9:00P DaVinci’s Deland, Florida
Jan 22 2010 9:00P The Hummingbird Macon, Georgia
Jan 23 2010 10:00P Mellow Mushroom Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Jan 24 2010 9:00P Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, Georgia
Jan 25 2010 10:00P Barley’s Taproom Knoxville, Tennessee
Jan 26 2010 10:00P The Basement Nashville, Tennessee
Jan 27 2010 10:00P Tremont Tavern Chattanooga, Tennessee
Jan 28 2010 8:00P Crossroads w/ Drive By Truckers Huntsville, Alabama
Jan 29 2010 9:00P The Pour House Raleigh, North Carolina
Jan 30 2010 9:00P Evening Muse Charlotte, North Carolina
Jan 31 2010 9:00P New Brookland Tavern Columbia, South Carolina
Feb 1 2010 10:00P Speakeasy Birmingham, Alabama
Feb 2 2010 9:00P Woody’s Tupelo, Mississippi
Feb 3 2010 9:00P Hi Tone Memphis, Tennessee
Feb 4 2010 9:00P Ole Tavern on George Street Jackson, Mississippi
Feb 5 2010 10:00P Mugshots Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Feb 6 2010 9:00P Old Town Tavern Sheffield, Alabama
Feb 11 2010 9:00P The Garage Winston Salem, North Carolina
Feb 12 2010 9:00P Pantana Bob’s w/ Corey Smith Greenville, North Carolina
Feb 13 2010 9:00P The National w/ Corey Smith Richmond, Virginia
Feb 17 2010 9:00P Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Feb 18 2010 7:00P Pisgah Brewery Black Mountain, North Carolina
Feb 19 2010 8:00P Martin’s Roanoke, Virginia
Feb 20 2010 10:00P The Green Lantern Lexington, Kentucky
Feb 22 2010 10:00P The Rumba Cafe Columbus, Ohio
Feb 24 2010 9:00P Mojo’s Columbia, Missouri
Feb 25 2010 9:30P The Riot Room Kansas City, Missouri
Feb 26 2010 9:00P White Water Tavern Little Rock, Arkansas
Feb 27 2010 9:00P George’s Majestic Fayetteville, Arkansas
