Anathallo's Floating World is a convincing rejoinder to the notion that there's nothing new in the ock world. The band takes its name from the Greek word meaning "to renew or refresh," and the Mount Pleasant, MI, septet sounds not only, well, refreshingly new, but like little else in ock music -- "ock" being a very elastic definition in this case, since familiar elements from the genre play a minimal role in Floating World's musical tapestry. The record veers all over the shop, from post-rock freakouts, classical chamber group motifs, and avant-garde jazz to the hushed intimacy of Sufjan Stevens, the Decemberists' operatic inclinations, and the cut-and-paste machinations of the Books and Animal Collective. Self-confessed high-school marching band geeks, Anathallo rely on a host of off-kilter instrumentation to create slow-burn intros that blossom into full-throated crescendos, typically highlighted by complex vocal harmonies and counterpoint singing. The songs feature everything from melodica, glockenspiel, trumpets, and trombones (lots of trombones, actually) to Velcro peels and socket-wrench whirs. And these aren't just support accents, either, but often starring roles. There are more traditional elements, too, like guitars, piano, and a lead singer (Matt Joynt), but shifting styles and meters, restless tempos, and the kitchen-sink instrument approach preclude orthodox readings. There are moments when the mishmash of styles seems to take the place of actual songcraft, and the reliance on handclap percussion becomes annoying after the first dozen or so instances. You may also miss a good-quality bottom end from time to time. But when all the various elements coalesce, as they do on the four songs that make up the "Hanasakajijii" suite, the results manage the neat trick of being so inventive as to inspire the simplest joy. You can't dance to it, but when you need a break from 4/4 beats and standard ock fare, this Floating World is a good one to visit.
everyone, really needs to go discover anathallo.i stumbled upon them on myspace, and heard "hoodwink". it was really love at first sight..er, hear.i've only listened to the "floating world" cd a handful of times, but it really tickles my fancy.there's just something relaxing, yet mesmerizing about it.it's made my top ten. =]
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Hey everybody,I hope all is well with everyone out there in MOGland. Sorry I've been away for a while, I'm attempting to get things settled here in North Jerz, I'm sure you've been mourning my absence. :P Anyway, life is alright here. I started my summer class on monday and i've never gone through so much material so quickly in my life. I'm sure i'll be alright, but it's physics so the spe...
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Listening to an album this beautifully and intricately crafted only makes me wonder what it takes to create something like that, and whether I'll ever come even close.I think it's an anxiety shared by all art students--a nagging self-doubt. We live in a culture that thrives on comparison, and artists are the worst. We look around at the very talented people all around us and tell ourselves that
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everyone, really needs to go discover anathallo.i stumbled upon them on myspace, and heard "hoodwink". it was really love at first sight..er, hear.i've only listened to the "floating world" cd a handful of times, but it really tickles my fancy.there's just something relaxing, yet mesmerizing about it.it's made my top ten. =]
More >
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 "Floating World")
