Jul 08 2008
Annabel – Now That We’re Alive
Annabel
Now That We’re Alive
Self-Released; 2008
Dear sweet indie-pop,
You are so revered, yet so maligned. While your dulcet tones are constantly duplicated, you are never truly understood by your adherents. Whether it’s your present penchant for creating epic crescendos with quirky instrumentation, or your dedication to craft seemingly innocent songs that seek to break pop music’s reliance upon the verse-chorus-verse structure, you still manage to frustrate yourselves and others with your contrasting “aw-shucks” and “woe is us” personas. It seems that you have spawned yet another child in the form of Annabel and their debut EP Now That We’re Alive, an effort comprised of five sweet songs that glisten and sing with their sweet vocals and chiming guitar lines. This current incarnation of your presence in the music world finds itself nestled safely within the confines of Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire, and Death Cab for Cutie, and while it is a bit derivative, the album borrows ably, capably, and courteously from its elder siblings. With never-offending and ever-dreaming songs like “Parade Best” and “If The Accident Will,” Annabel takes its place under your welcoming umbrella, a locale that is packed to the gills with fans and bands who politely crunch themselves together in hopes of hearing another 4-to-5 minute soaring pop ditty that they can excitedly nod their heads to.