Annuals :: Count The Rings

     Annuals has been one of my favorite bands for years. They were the first "Indie" group I really got into and made me really appreciate the genre. I always try to keep up with bands that started me off liking a certain type of music, I always like to know where they have gone and how they have improved or sometimes started to suck. Annuals is one of those bands that no matter what they do, how weird and expirimental they get, you will always like what they are putting out.

      It is truly original music and I regret not realizing they have put out an EP and a full length since their 2008 release "Such Fun" but it's hard to keep up with a band when they are the type to switch record labels twice in two years and release sapartic digital only EP's without much press. It is safe to say that Annuals is a definite DIY band. They have always portrayed the distaste of an outside voice trying to push its veiws and opinions into their music so it's not surprising that they are very into recording and releasing muisc themselves, and I bet their labels like it to, it is very cheap.

     Bands of this generation are always being compared to bands of the past. Just today I read an article about Emmure being this generation's Limp Bizkit. It makes sense that these comparisons are being made due to the fact that albums from 20 to 30 years ago are still selling better than anything that isn't being played on your mnstrm radio station in your standard suburbia. So obviously kids are listening to the oldies to get their inspiration on to create music of their own. In my opinion Annuals is the next Pink Floyd, I know thats dangerous to say with all the butt hurt "There will never be another band like Pink Floyd" fans out there but hey, get over it. I might just be an over opinionated hipster but just give my few points a shot before you judge:

Picture of hipster band with nature background, long untammed hair, and facial hair.

Picture of hipster band with nature background, long untammed hair, and facial hair.

Both bands have released a great amount of music during their run as a band.

Annuals Discography:

Lay Down Dry (2005)

Git' Got EP (2006)

Be He Me (2006)

Big Zues (2007)

Frelen Mas (2007)

Wet Zoo (2008)

Such Fun (2008)

Sweet Sister (2010)

Count The Rings (2010)

Pink Floyd Discography:

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)

Soundtrack from the Film More (1969)

Ummagumma (1969)

Atom Heart Mother (1970)

Meddle (1971)

Obscurred by Clouds (1972)

The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

Wish You Were Here (1975)

Animals (1977)

The Wall (1979)

The Final Cut (1983)

A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)

The Division Bell (1994)

So Annuals clocks in at 9 and has been a band for 8 years, Pink Floyd chimes in with 14 and was a band for 31 years. I think Annuals will not only acheive the amount of music put our but surpass it, which will create more and more progression making their music evolve as the years go on, just as Pink Floyd's did.

I didn't say anything about their music that would make you think the two bands are similar, I want you to listen and comment on why you disagree or agree with the comparison.

 Now onto the music. Annuals' "Count The Rings" is a compilation of long time favorites, and has been b-sides, it is streaming at Souterrain Transmissions' website. The first single that was released off of the album "Eyes In The Darkness" is perfect in my eyes. It's got classic wavy and bright synthasizor like you're used to when listening to this group. The vocals have always been so spot on for me, I feel like Adam's voice is perfect for Annuals and really brings all of the instrumentation into a good focal point. The same can be said for the vocals on the single too (which can be downloaded here for free).

     The drums are layered and complex with a lot of different rhythms and sounds going on at once. Which if you know much about Annuals past work you should know that is a given. This song features a lot of hand played percussion. There is a clap loop playing through the majority of the song along with the integration of hand drums and finally the build into the drum kit. Building small to big has always been the way to write a great song and it is working for these guys as well.

     As the song goes on and builds even more the dual drum set starts to come in giving the song small nuances here and there making it very pleasing. The drums never over power the song but instead they give it the ability to sound layered and dense but still simple and easy to listen to. Percussion has always played a great deal of importance in Annuals and as a percussionist I appreciate it a lot. Now a days I feel like it has become acceptable to have a mediocre drummer that can play just enough to get by. No way, I say! I have always been into drummers who either through the outlet of techicality or innovation have gone above and beyond. Drummers like Tommy Igoe, Steve Jordan, Max Roach, Bill Stewart, and many more. I would say the four members of Annuals that record percussion deserve a spot on my list as well, because what they are doing is really interesting stuff.

     In conclusion Annuals are a really awesome band that need to be listened to and appreciated, so if you haven't been doing that; get on it. They are innovative, smart, and most of all they have a cutie synth player. Anna Spence where you at guurll? Anyhow, listen to Annuals. Thanks.

Annuals - "Eyes In the Darkness"

-Adam