Review - Annuals: Such Fun

Published in Soundcheck Magazine (11/22/08)

Annuals’ newest release, Such Fun, is not a sophomore slump in the traditional sense. In theory, it does all the right things to expand and reaffirm the boundless creativity that leader Adam Baker demonstrated on the band’s fantastic 2006 debut, Be He Me. But unlike that album, Such Fun doesn’t exactly have the element of surprise on its side. That’s part of the reason this follow-up has garnered some unfairly tepid feedback. It’s true, the album doesn’t have that adrenaline rush of excitement its predecessor had, but perhaps the reason for this is that we’ve come to know what to expect from Annuals, which is sheer and utter radiance.

In the hands of a more finicky producer, Such Fun could have been sliced and diced down to about six or so songs and become one of the greatest EPs all year. Instead, it’s simply a very good long player – which isn’t such a terrible thing to settle for when it comes down to it. Baker is like the little girl who gets into her mom’s dresser and tries on all her clothes. The band snatches at a musical style, toys with it, and tosses it aside for another. This is more or less what drives Such Fun, which is sort of an ADD-inflicted instrumentalist’s wet dream.

But, as the saying goes, when you throw a bunch of ideas against the wall, some of them stick and some don’t. “Hot Night Hounds” is a stale, contained version of what has been one of the major highlights of Annuals’ live show for the past few years. On stage, it is usually part of the encore, and with good reason – it’s the band’s freest, wildest, and generally most liberating performance of the set. But on the album, it’s shortened, filed down to size, and turned into a toothless shadow of its live counterpart.

The band still manages to find ways to sneak up on its listener, though. “Hair Don’t Grow”, the album’s definite highlight, starts with a bobbing, acoustic riff that is then joined by Thin Lizzy-style electric guitars before exploding into a shower of strings, settling on a fake ending before the main theme reemerges once more from the haze of some electronic interference. Even the best moments on Be He Me don’t prepare one for the sheer theatricality of this song.

The good thing about Such Fun is that, in spite of itself, every reason you had to believe that Annuals could be something great after Be He Me is still here. Baker’s imagination is still a shaggy-haired lightning rod, the music is still erratic and joyful, and the band is still having fun. The album is extremely enjoyable, just not in the same knock-you-off-your-feet way as the debut. If this is Annuals settling into their sound, so be it. It’s a sound we can all get used to.

– Andy Pareti