The Ignatius Record Review

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

Ignatius says, "Rather Excellent"

Don’t Stop, Annie’s follow-up to 2004’s critically acclaimed Anniemal, was scheduled for release in 2008, but a falling-out with Island Records pushed the anticipated album’s release date far back. An unofficial version of the album was leaked onto the internet and was already being praised, but apparently that version was not Annie’s intended version. So here we are in 2009 with a new tracklist, AND WITH SOME OF THE BEST TRACKS REPLACED!
Previous album singles like “I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me” and “Two of Hearts” are missing, now moved to Annie’s All Night EP; but what remains is still very impressive. The opener “Hey Annie” is lots of fun and the same goes for the second track “My Love is Better”. Like all of Annie’s music, this album is crawling with addictive pop hooks and 80s-style synths and though these songs never achieve the same brilliance of “Heartbeat” or “Chewing Gum” they are nonetheless a great pleasure. Highlights here are "Songs Remind Me Of You" and "I Don't Like Your Band"; the reason for including "The Breakfast Song" escapes me. One frustrated fan has posted an alternative tracklist claiming that this is the difference between a great album and a terrible one (and if you don't agree with the proposed tracklist, go and make your own -- digital has done incredible things for music). So if you’re in the mood for some catchy lighthearted pop tunes be sure to check out Don’t Stop as well as the All Night EP (and assemble the album as you please).

We All Have Hooks for Hands- The Shape of Energy

Ignatius says, “rather excellent”.

I would feel comfortable tagging We All Have Hooks for Hands “South Dakota's awesomest indie-rock band of the year” as The Shape of Energy, from start to finish, is one of the most consistent and engaging albums that I have heard this year from any up-and coming band. Hooks for Hands has a knack for fusing driven electric rock with gentle acoustic instrumentation. This was probably what lead my my wife to liken the band to the Shins. I agree but I would says it’s really the Shins with much bigger balls. The hooks are more aggressive, the aesthetic is less delicate, and the vocals are less sung and more viscerally yelled. In this case, Hooks for Hands edges up a bit closer to the shout-pop of the Pixies. Regardless, The Shape of Energy is a strong delivery from a band that I suspect we will be hearing more from in the future.

We all have hooks for hands