CD review time again!

I don't recall from whom I bought The Annuals' Be He Me, but I remember why. I hadn't bought much besides jazz CDs for my "not classical" purchases for a while (I actually make a habit of buying half classical, half not-classical disks--pop CDs, I usually call them) and I was tired of it. Still, I'd been conservative about the pop CDs at the time, waiting to hear a few songs thoroughly before deciding on my purchase. That wasn't working because all the disks I had auditioned had been disappointments. It's that sort of conservative, wait-and-see approach that left me buying the more-reliable jazz artists. I knew that, so I did what has rewarded me in the past: look for an unheard recent release that's getting a lot of critical buzz. It may have been a visit to AllMusic.com or the New York Times online where I found the inspiration to get The Annuals' CD, I really don't recall.

I'm pretty happy I made this decision to buy Be He Me. It's not a recording for the ages, it's not exciting enough to meet that high standard, but it's very satisfying. The band's sound is flexible, blending piano, guitar and atmospheric electronics with mostly mid-tempo or slower tunes--more acoustic guitars and piano than electric choices. When they do choose to make more rhythmic tunes, the funk is a bit slow and graceful. You won't find jackhammer tempos, or much histrionic singing! Like Spoon, a similar-sounding bad, the melodies are singable, which is a strength. Still, the singer, Adam Baker, is not exactly secure in his voice (a common failing in what the pop-music press call "indie" bands), which is a weakness, but not a failing, considering the somewhat detached mood that wraps around most of this album. And it's that remote emotional tone that keeps this album from matching the brilliance of an act like Spoon. Consistency is nice when the tunes are so pleasing, but these guys need to shake things up with a little excitement to reach full potential.

7 out of 10

CDs listened to today:

• Shulamit Ran: O the Chimneys
• The Sea and Cake: The Fawn
• My Morning Jacket: Z
• William Schuman: Symphony No. 3
• Talking Heads: Remain In Light
• Esa-Pekka Salonen: L.A. Variations
  
• Jesus Guridi: Sinfonia Pirenaica
• Matias Aguayo: Are You Really Lost
  
• Yoshihisa Taïra: Hiérophonie