ANNUALS-Count the Rings

At the risk of my indie cred, I’m going to admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of Annuals.  At least not since after “Be He Me” their first record on the Ace Fu label.  That release was amazing, but the next two were a little tepid and twee.  But now, with “Count the Rings,” the band roars back with sophisticated, gentle, Yes-like indie pop that truly breaks new ground.  They manage a “big” sound while never seeming like anything other than a little band.  It’s intimate but majestic–important but not self-indulgent.  Clever and catchy but not too smart to alienate the listener.  And best of all, it’s not twee.

This band hasn’t sounded this good in years.

Eyes in the Darkness
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