Annuals - Big Zeus EP (Ace Fu)
2/5
By: Keri Kennedy
Whatever we're about to say, North Carolinas' Annuals have already enjoyed some high praise indeed. For Rolling Stone to exclaim that "there is officially a God!" after hearing the band, one would think that the Big Zeus EP would be something to really shout about. Yet of the five tracks, 'Complete Or Completing' is the only one that really compels; with floating melodies, a clip-clopping coconut-shell beat that combines with strings, vocals and piano to create an epic wall of sound.
Opener 'Carry Around' has a pleasant enough idea behind it, but it tries to contain too many sounds, their attempt at quirkiness transforms into irritating. 'Ida, My' goes where Elliot Smith has been and triumphed before, though to their credit Annuals do perform a convincing impression. 'Ease My Mind' and 'Misly Coy' both begin quietly and acoustically; attempting to reach the heart racing high points the Arcade Fire do with ease, but unfortunately they fade out before they've had the chance.
Evidently from this EP at least, Annuals don't create particularly life-changing music; they execute a tolerable imitation of life-changing artists, but by no means do they equal them here.
Artists in this article: Annuals
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