Customer Reviews

Be He Me

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came upon Annuals when they opened for Tapes n Tapes in October. Not having heard anything from this band, I was struck by how good they were live, and how easy it was to groove to their then unknown tunes. I purchased Be He Me the following day and played it throughout the remainder of the year, each listening revealing greater depths of sound and meaning. You can hear influences as diverse as The Beach Boys, the Cure, Pink Floyd, Broken Social Scene - yet Annuals never sound derivative, as each track is uniquely crafted and performed. The inclusion of strings, keyboards, and various electronics (to your standard guitar, bass and drums), along with engaging lyrics and super catchy melodies, makes for a truly remarkable debut.

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.

This album is incredibly good. I picked it up on recommendation from a friend and felt compelled to write a review on here to spread the word...it's tremendous. Arcade fire comparisons are obvious (though I like this record better, and I love the Arcade fire), but I also hear some badly drawn boy, jeff buckley, islands and classic rock influences. It is fantastic.

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.

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.

I recommended this CD to every single one of my friends. The CD opens up with "Brother" which is perfect. The singer's vocals are clever and his lyrics have a really deep meaning. I just read an interview with them in Spin magazine and it gave me more insight to how passionate the band is towards the music they make. The CD is a refresher to your collection, buy it! Pitchfork was pretty close when they compared them to great bands such as, Broken Social Scene and Animal Collective.

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.

I Accidentally discovered these guys while trippin' through the Blowout Bins.
I scanned it through the In-Store Sampler Program, and was intrigued,
so I took it home....$ 3.99, what's to lose ?!
Now I am turning everyone I know on to these guys !
The only accurate comparison I can make is the 90's band "Jellyfish".
Sadly, they never got the attention they deserved, and finally gave up.

I wish RADIO would give this kind of music more exposure : HAPPY, FUN MUSIC !
I cannot deal with all the Perverted, Nasty, HATE, RAGE, Angry,
......and not to mention....downright Pornographic music,
---which is all you ever seem to hear on the radio anymore these days !
Today's Young Kids are confused and emotionally challenged enough already
without the Media brainwashing them even worse---Don't get me started ! -LOL-
I listen to music to RELIEVE the stresses and frustrations of the Daily World;
not to induce me further into blind rage with a gun, or go rape the nearest "Bitch-Hoe" I can find !
My point is, FINDING music like this, is a RARE TREAT nowadays !


Being a musician myself, I always love to be pleasantly surprised by
thoughful and original arrangements, and an obvious level of instrumental training and sheer talent.
....MAGICAL. This is what I would classify as "Ear Candy" :
Lush, and Beautiful, with many moods and textures,
... and enough twists and turns to keep it exciting and interesting.
Much like painting pictures with sound...You can almost SEE the Landscapes in your Mind's Eye.

I hope these guys can manage to stick around for several more years,
because I would LOVE to have about 10 more CD's just like this !
But with little or no promotion, and $ 3.99 Bargain Bin Prices,
...what band can live off of that for very long ?
You'd get pretty damned sick of tuna fish sandwiches and Top Ramen for all your meals, I'd guess !

I compare my Music Collecting Hobby to that of a Treasure Hunter.
And ANNUALS is DEFINITELY a RARE GEM find, IMHO.
Thank God, God gave me taste that goes beyond my Tongue !
YUMMY STUFF (-@,@-)

P.S. > My only gripe with this Band, is that they have an odd penchant
for killing the song prematurely and abruptly, as if it's their Signature or something.
---Or as if playing a game of 'Musical Chairs', and then stopping the music, to see who's OUT !
Almost irritating !
Just as they get the Groove going, and have played with all the toys in the Toy Box, BOOM: The End.
The Song is over, and on to the next one. It'd be nice if they would just Jam a little while,
now that the Song is developed. (Does anybody remember Jam ?!)
They don't give you any time to SAVOR it.
3 minutes ?!---I'm not done DANCIN' yet Dammit ! :(

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.

buy this album. its incredibly refreshing music, sounding totally unlike anything you've heard before. other reviews are bogging their sound down into definable terms by likening them to the arcade fire, broken social scene, etc. however, annuals has made an effing sweet record. its gorgeous and i can't stop playing it.