2 posts tagged “annuals”

I swear, if it happens again, I am going to pledge to become a huge Annuals fan.

If what happens again, you ask? If the band attempts to upstage the headliner, that is. Last night, Raleigh's Annuals opened for Montreal's The Dears at the Cat's Cradle. I was introduced to both bands last year, and have become a big fan of The Dears, after having heard their song "Whites Only Party," from the Gang of Losers album. I've become fond of the fairly simple melodies to which songwriter Murray Lightburn attaches political/social observation and wistful nostalgia for young love, gained and lost. Many compare Dears to Morrissey and The Smiths, and such comparisons are apt, but there also exists a tendency to explore cinematic anthems and sonic tropes of shoegaze that is much more explicitly delved into by Annuals.

Annuals are usually compared to Arcade Fire, but there is a strong Beach Boys/Brian Wilsonesque pop influence as well. Light, bouncy melodies find themselves at home just as well as the youthful discomfort and frustration one expects from young songwriters. All of their songs become anthems, filled with catchy tunes, but also untold energy and fierce attacks.

This is a band to watch.

The Dears are also worth watching, but they would much rather be listened to, and with this I find no fault.

Last month I had the chance to catch one of my favorite new bands in concert. Tapes 'n Tapes made their first appearance in North Carolina, at Chapel Hill's Local 506, along with Raleigh's own Annuals. I discovered Tapes back in the spring, via Pitchfork, or one of the various music blogs I read. I knew they shared a sound with another band I love, but never pinned it down until Aziz Ansari's Clell Tickle video was released.

Though Annuals were beset with a broken sequencer and later, bass string, they still put on a good show. Fun pop music with a healthy dose of noise and experimentation. Definitely a band to watch out for in the future.

A frantic energy ran through the Annuals set, due to their technical difficulties, but this was quickly reversed by the time "the brothers Tapes" took the stage. Ambling onto the stage as easily as one slides up to a bar, Tapes took the stage, helpfully counting down the minutes to the start of their set for those who were still buying beer. The first few songs were the first tracks on their full-length, The Loon. After "Insistor," a particular favorite of mine, older songs were introduced, even a few which, we were told, are hardly ever played live. Way to make a room feel special, guys. For an encore, The Loon's closer, "Jacov's Suite" played us out into the night.