THEY CALL HOLIDAYS AN OPTION FOR A REASON

It should be a prerequisite that any bands touring with each other record covers of the others’ songs.  Having stumbled upon such tracks by Annuals and Manchester Orchestra that were released prior to a tour they did together two years ago, I think it’s only fair.  These re-do’s are more than your everyday remixes and stand as pieces of work on their own. Andy Hull and company lay down a stripped, minimalist version of their touring mates’ epic “Brother” while Annuals lather up the Orchestra’s “Where Have You Been” with some haunting electronics.  Good stuff I wish I had discovered earlier.  Hat tip to BWC.

MP3: Manchester Orchestra – “Brother” (Annuals Cover)
MP3: Annuals – “Where Have You Been” (Manchester Orchestra Cover)

Love,
Adrian

But Your Line Around My Neck Keeps Pullin’

It’s been a while since I’ve walked into a concert and come out utterly amazed.  Twas the case with Annuals‘ show at DC9 last weekend, by the end of which my jaw had dropped several times over.  It’s hard to define exactly what I heard given that the North Carolina six-piece’s repertoire pretty much runs the indie gamut, but regardless of whether they were dropping bright pop-rock like “Confessor,” alt-country jams like “Always Do,” or nascent epics like “Brother,” Annuals pulled it off with plenty of panache and cohesion despite barely being able to fit on stage along with their instruments (and that’s saying a lot with two drum sets).  Definitely check these guys out if they’re playing in your neck of the woods, and make sure to grab the quirky calypso jam “Loxtep” (from their latest Sweet Sister EP) as well as the aforementioned set closer “Brother” below.

MP3: Annuals – “Loxtep”
MP3: Annuals – “Brother”

Love,
Adrian