Oh, what Beatles-y cleverness we find in the band known as Annie. For an audience approaching the new millennium with lightning speed, Annie's album sci-fi canon blue(s) is a reminder of the genius that Ringo, Paul, George and John fed to the masses back in the 1960's.
With vocals that are quite uncanny in similarity to the aforementioned Lennon, there's a familiarity there already, even from the first track, "Means to an End." Laden with Fab-Four harmonies, ethereal guitar and string arrangements, and a light psychedelic touch, Annie has found a way to personalize the sound that made The Beatles such a tight group. "Censer Silence" creates an echoing, sonic feast that is more akin to Brit Rockers Radiohead, but then again, they also owe a debt of gratitude to The Beatles.
"Shoot First, Leap Second " brings the same light hearted and bouncy piano styling that made "Lady Madonna" such a fun song to listen to, while creating a sound Ben Folds Five would be proud to call their own. Capturing one's attention with just a simple plucked acoustic guitar and a bare vocal, is "Ice Storm," a dainty little Christmas-like melody with some smart lyrics. It certainly puts a new spin on "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem," while borrowing the phrase, "I play my best for you," from "The Little Drummer Boy." "Late one night, in a Middle East explosion, an eternal notion to save the world." While the music on this album is splendid enough for anyone to listen to, the lyrics might take some time to process. The texts throughout the album border on the obscure and cryptic edge, but this, of course, is another tribute to those Liverpool Lads. (Remember, "Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come?")
While this is incredibly high brow music, a couple of the songs, ("Dining Victoria" and "Light a Smile") seem to suffer from a tendency to drag things out instead of ending on a high note. Of course, there's also the issue of whether or not this is merely borrowed style, instead of creative and original music? But as their lead singer, Steven, said; they set out to reinvent The Beatles, and indeed they did. So, all in all, one can't complain too much. Four Cows
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaNew quintet Annie is going to cause quite a stir if they stay at it. They have a great sense of art, unusual song phrasing, and a creative, mood-inducing sound. The CD is intense, as well as lovely, and relaxing. I had thoughts of the Velvet Underground as I listened to the opening few guitar chords of the first song, "Means to an End," being lightly strummed, but as soon as Stephen Nichols began…HM Magazine #78Reviewed by Val SuttonIt's hard not to think of that annoying "Tomorrow" song when you hear the name "Annie," but the futuristic rock on the debut album from a band called Annie replaced all my memories of oversung showtunes. Balancing an overall Radiohead feel with Beatlesque melodies and a distinctive lounge lizard style, Annie is soon to become a band you won't want to get out of your head - much less take out of…Similar sounding releases
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