Recommended Listening

I remember the first time I ever saw Anathallo perform live. They opened up for Underoath at the Murray Hill Theatre here in Jacksonville several years back. This was back when Dallas was still a member of Underoath. Anathallo had recently recorded their “Sparrows” album. Now you may or may not be able to picture this, but you had all these hardcore kids at this show and Anathallo takes the stage. Lead singer, Matt Joynt, takes stage in a pair of capri’s and no shoes. The rest of the guys looked like some kids you would find on a university campus somewhere. There were various horns and random percussion instruments and objects on stage. All I remember is the intro to “A Song For Christine” where the band begins by clapping in rhythm and each member phases from claps into hitting drumsticks or triangles or something else made to bang on,  I cant remember it all too well. I just remember thinking, “this is the weirdest thing I have ever seen or heard.” It was indie/emo with horns and xylophones and a whole bunch of other stuff, being played by the oddest mix of guys you could expect to find in a band like this. But I was hooked. I couldn’t stop watching. I couldn’t stop listening. These guys were really good. Needless to say, I left with the “Sparrows” album and I have been a fan ever since.

Anathallo’s latest release, “Canopy Glow“, which came out at the end of last year, is in my opinion their best work yet. They have grown and changed since the early days. This album seems to back off from the multitude of instruments approach and is more focused on playing fewer instruments and playing them well. Even the horns that they have been so well known for have been really toned down. If you think you may be disappointed because of this, you won’t be. Trust me. This is a superbly written and produced album that gives no down time for the listener from start to finish. This is a truly recommended listening.