Annuals 2006 release Be He Me was an interesting album. It balanced on the tip of a melting iceberg between a respectable indie release and an unfortunate pop rock attempt. The Wet Zoo EP has solidified the unfortunate and brought to light Annuals' turn for the worse. Once, Annuals' sound was embodied with multiple layers and experimentation with song space. Now they simply add a flimsy layer of string arrangements and are done with it.
The opening track, "Sore," begins with an emotional introduction. Yet the production of the song itself is too crisp and, in a way, takes away from the distance that once made them great. The vocals carry the song and they follow the melody well. However, no real risk is taken or made successful. An arbitrary electronic drum sample follows a small string section, making the song feel a little disoriented. The song continues an awkward moment of silence followed by a disappointing build up.
"Around the Neck," the second track starts of with an embarrassing attempt at a falsetto introduction in the first measure. It continues on casually announcing it's expected and conventional song pattern. This includes the traditional verse chorus plus guitar solo attempt. All in all nothing interesting happens. It's a repetition of what all the bands in the early 2000 tried to do, but this time without flavor.
Then the most laboring track on the album appears, "Just Stay In" (I always find myself skipping it). Though there is always merit it in a slow song, I must say that the music is nothing but a backdrop to the lyrics. The song is not joined in unison. I could easily hear this song on soft rock radio station. The string arrangements again make their way into the mix and add some durability to the track. Though no real climax is brought to bloom.
The album jumps from what is a somewhat promising beginning to a sad attempt at country pop. Unfortunately no success is wrought from Annuals contribution to what is confusingly part of this split. Though iTunes does not recognize this album as a split, it very much is. Annuals share their stereo space with Sunfold, a band put together by Annuals lead guitarist Kenny Florence.
These last two songs are slightly more attractive, but even more emo pop then before. It would have been best to make these entirely a Sunfold album and dispose of the Annual tracks. Florence has a talent for what he does and should continue to branch in that direction. His passion for guitar progression is exemplified in the last track, "Watering Pail".
All and all the EP which I was possibly to excited to hear, ended up to be a disappointment to a previous Annuals semi-fan. Be He Me will never be the same again.
See also
Mae, Gatsby's American Dream, Any Emo Band From Early 2000
