No One Year Wonders...

Annuals

Genre: Alternative / Experimental / Pop

From: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

The new album from US Indie band Annuals (see the Devil's introduction to Annuals from ealier in the year As Regular As Clockwork It's... ) 'Such Fun' . With tracks sounding like everyone from Mika (the raucously infectious indie on helium of 'Hair Don't Grow' which believe me is much better than that sounds) to Prefab Sprout (the beautiful 'Blue Ridge' and 'Springtime') the album sounds like an obscure recording of an indie Stars in Their Eyes Special.

With 'Such Fun' Annuals' surf musical genres like a jukebox with attention deficit disorder. There's some hallucinogenic Americana folk ('Wake' & 'Hardwood Floor), the odd generic paint by numbers indie track (album opener 'Confessor' and 'Talking'), a walloping alt-rocker or two and 'Always Do' could be the start of two new sub genres Mindie (emo + indie = Mindie!) and Cindie (country + indie = Cindie!).

'Down The Mountain' sums up the albums skittish approach is with it's opening Marresque delicate guitar licks stomped on by power chords straight out of the rock gods handbook before a country fiddle sneaks in at the end for an indie hoedown. Such pick 'n mix variety demonstrates a versatility that puts many of their contemporaries to shame but, while it's easy to admire, it makes the album difficult to love.

The Devil's Rating - 6.5/10

Go Buy

Buy Annuals 'Such Fun' from Amazon

Go Visit

Annuals - Myspace // Website
Label - Canvasback Records

Go View

Annuals
Sore

Some old stuff from Annuals to get you in the mood for 'Such Fun'...

MP3 - Annuals - Bleary Eyed
MP3 - Annuals - Brother
MP3 - Annuals - Dry Clothes

If you like Annuals you may be a little partial to a couple of rare Prefab Sprout demos.

MP3 - Prefab Sprout - Rebel Land
MP3 - Prefab Sprout - Cherry Tree

Buy Prefab Sprout 'Swoon' from Amazon