Annabel
Exhilaration: The state of being stimulated, refreshed, or elated;the feeling of lively and cheerful joy. If one were forced to pick asingle word to describe the music of Annabel, it would be exhilaration. The title of the indie rock outfit from Kent, Ohio’s latest EP, Now That We’re Alive,is about as a appropriate as it gets. The five songs speak to thatexhilaration – that youthful, honest exuberance. It is that feelingthat carries Annabel to such memorable heights on Now That We’re Alive.On Now That We’re Alive, Annabel plays an infectious brandof indie pop laced with feverish melodies. The band balances it allwith post-punk dynamics that convey a heightened sense of urgency.Annabel delivers a great deal of melodic goodness, but this trio iscertainly no one-trick pony. The band can cuddle up next to you withlush keyboards one moment before dropping their feedback-lacedwall-of-sound guitar aesthetics the next. Annabel takes the best from anumber of different genres and forges their own unique path.
Sometimes it is just impossible to put your finger on why we fall inlove with a particular band. You can discuss musicianship, influencesand everything else in between till you are blue in the face. However,it all comes down to how the music makes you feel. It is that subtlesomething that you can never quite pin down. Annabel is one of thosebands that simply have “it.” Like a bearhug from the person you need itfrom the most, Now That We’re Alive is the sound of exhilaration unrehearsed. Oh Annabel, you had me at hello.
Annabel is Ben Hendricks (vocals, guitar, keys, etc.), Andy Hendricks (drums, vocals) and Scotty Moses (bass, vocals). Now That We’re Alive was recorded, mixed and mastered by Aaron Rogers. Now That We’re Aliveis self-released by Annabel. The young troupe is currently writingmaterial that will comprise their debut full-length and planning summeradventures.
