Annabel - Now That We're Alive By Cassie Gressell Published: July 7, 2008 PrintEmail
Band: Annabel Album: Now That We're Alive Label: Self-released Overall Score: 3.5/5
What to Expect: Fuzzy indie rock, with smart, occasionally intricate instrumentals and soft, airy vocals. Annabel fills their five-track EP with a combination of strong melodies and a carefree spirit that is hard to say no to. The near-perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer day, Annabel seems to have taken the freshening up of a genre we've all seen countless times before and made it their own personal project.
High Points: Tracks like "Bouqet Mines" and "Parade Rest" are catchy and fun, but also feature brief shots of twinkly-then-gritty nods to early shoegaze, which pulls the songs together well and provides a bit of substance. "...And Elsewhere" and "If Accidents Will" calm things down a bit, giving Annabel a platform to show off some truly strong harmonies.
Low Points: The main, maybe even only, thing that holds back Now That We're Alive is the production. At points, things seem to go beyond what one would assume is the intended level of fuzziness, with instruments and vocals each taking turns slipping a little too far off into the distance. Had it been a little bit clearer, Now That We're Alive would be much more of an attention-grabber.
Should You Buy This: Absolutely. Despite the slight problems production-wise, Annabel craft some really great songs here. In addition to that, the packaging for the album is just brimming over with a DIY feel, which makes the album itself feel that much more personal.
Sounds Like: The Get Up Kids, with just a touch of shoegaze and lighter vocals.
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