I picked up Annuals‘ Be He Me a little while back and haven’t really paid much attention to them since. That happens often in today’s crazy fast past world where bands come in and out of the lime light. But there is no question the Annuals are a band that need to stay towards the front of my brain.
They play sporadic and jaunty melodies with instruments galore. It’s not often that multi-instrumental bands find it in to my regular rotation. It’s a hard gig to pull off as you have so many instruments to manage and the slightest miscalculation can ruin the experience. More well known members of this genre are Arcade Fire and to a lesser known degree, Beirut (although a recent MTV News appearance could help change the low profile). But to an even lesser lesser degree are the Annuals. The Annuals popped up on the radar around last years CMJ festival and really impressed the critics and grew a small but growing following.
They originate from Raleigh, N.C. and are currently on tour. They arrive in Boston this Thursday at the Great Scott with another young band in tow. Opening up is the Atlanta based group Manchester Orchestra, who have recently opened up for Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
The two groups seem to have started a strong relationship as they have started a contest called Mannuals Mashup Contest. The rules are you have to take one Annuals track and one Manchester Orchestra track and mash them together. The bands will then pick their favorite track and the winner gets a brand new Epiphone guitar signed by both bands, a copy of the Annuals’ Be He Me and MO’s I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child, the bands’ split 7″ (only being offered at their show) and a limited edition lithograph of the 7″ artwork. Five runners up will get the CD’s, the 7″ and the lithograph.
Enter the contest HERE
Annuals also have a new EP coming out full of B-sides called Frelen Mas. There will be a cover of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, which I’m interested to hear them play. It comes out November 6th through iTunes but you can have a sneak peak with the download of “Nah Keseyi” below.
Areas of Interest -
Download “Nah Keseyi”
Stream “Nah Keseyi”
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Purchase Be He Me (Annuals Music Store)
Purchase I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child (Manchester Orchestra Store)
