Anathallo - Canopy Glow

[Blake Solomon]

Anathallo – Canopy Glow
Record Label: Anticon. Records
Release Date: November 18, 2008

Canopy Glow has washed over me with the subtlety and smoothness I expected. That’s not to say it hasn’t left a mark. Anathallo’s ungodly ability to use a billion people at once and still create dreamy, folky pop is, quite simply, arresting. Each member brings with them a vast musical repertoire, so the forms each song can take are nearly infinite. However, Anathallo choose time and time again to swoosh by like a frigid wind. You’ll feel them for a moment, and then they’re gone. Memorable moments are harder to come by than on 2006’s Floating World, but if history has taught me one thing about this band, it’s that one moment you won’t give a damn and the next moment you’ll be tithing to the great Anathallo In The Sky. Canopy Glow takes time, and that's something I just don't have.

Matt Joynt and Erica Froman steal this particular show with their layered, fairytale-esque harmonies. From the first moments of “Noni’s Field,” where Froman whirrs softly behind Joynt’s tenor, to “Lost Ring Finger”’s rapid-fire delivery and magnificent, piano-led gang vocals, these two conduct with perfect precision. While “Lost Ring Finger” may be the most forceful track (and therefore the most memorable), Canopy Glow prefers emphasizing its delicateness. “Northern Lights”, for example, is all voices and handbells. Headphones were made for songs like this. And I must credit Anathallo for turning handbells (not surprisingly, they are also prominent on “Bells”) into a relevant pop instrument. When I think handbells, I think my 4th grade English teacher standing in a choir robe, her curly hair haphazardly covering gigantic glasses. She’s not standing next to a hip trombone or flugelhorn player. Oh no, she’s standing next to another person playing a bigger handbell. This person happens to be the local pharmacist, and she has no idea how to read music. Umm, sorry about that; moving on.

“The River” is a good signpost for where Anathallo are (hopefully) headed. Prominent horns, violins and a tendency toward the up-tempo recall a smarter, cleverer piece from Luminous Luminescence. Jeremiah Johnson’s inventive drumming is unleashed (which doesn’t happen too often), and this gives the track a comfortable soft-rock vibe (that both you and your mother will adore). “Sleeping Torpor”, however, is a strange evolution. Froman sings a creepy lullaby – like there’s any other kind! – over thrown-together percussion, which is all well and good if not a bit boring. This middle-of-the-album track drags for over five minutes when it could snugly fit within three. Even with the horn build-up and interesting take on classical songwriting, “Sleeping Torpor” fails to intrigue like it should. Its lyrical mediocrity should have been superiority, and therefore we sit ominously eyeing the skip button.

Ending the album with a nap is “Tower of Babel.” More emphasis on singing and sparse instrumentation presents itself in another unnecessarily long song. I know what to expect with Anathallo, but sometimes their reluctance to let themselves go is beyond annoying. Why not throw everything you got at us and let us decide which part rules the most? Canopy Glow's intricacies are so apparent because they are ironically easy to find. “First is the handbell track, then comes the xylophone track, and finally we have the trombone song.” Maybe making us sift a bit isn’t such a bad idea. At the very least it will keep us engaged.


Recommended If You Like: Efterklang, Sufjan Stevens, this difficult carnival game (http://www.kiddiecarnival.com/Striker2.jpg), The Polyphonic Spree, this hard-to-climb mountain (http://www.letsgodigital.org/images/artikelen/39/mount-everest.jpg), No not Lydia


www.myspace.com/anathallo

[Blake Solomon]

i really went back and forth with this review over the last few days - which is why I compromised with a score in the 60's rather than in the 50's. Don't kill me.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I hate that carnival game. I have a feeling I'm still going to like this, though.

[Blakebear]

Interesting review.

[Track6]

Really? I'm surprised. I've only heard Noni's Field and I loved Floating World. I hope I like it more than you.

[Who IsHollywood]

I usually mostly agree with your reviews, but I could not disagree with this one more.
Yes, this album is slow and mellow, but it's also beautiful.
If you're a fan of Floating World, which seems to be the case, I don't know why you wouldn't enjoy this.
That being said, great review. Everything was well said, even if I disagreed haha

[hockeyguitar99]

Great review Blake, but I have to respectfully disagree. I really love this album, understanding that it's not amazing, I think I'd give it an 88. I'm writing this review for highbeam, so that will probably translate into a 9.

[Travis Parno]

agreed on all counts. great band, good album, it just refuses to stick with me. i really wish it would, but then again, it's also no Floating World.

[Praetor]

From what I heard I would probably rate this about a 75. Absolutely fantastic album. Surprised on a lot of your scores but I still love you.

Oh and Tower Of Babel is one of my favorite songs by them, haha. Has been ever since I heard a live version before the record came out.

[Jumpoff]

I think this band is completely overrated and agree 100% with you :whistle:

[Keagan Ilvonen]

No where near Floating World.

[Julia Conny]

I haven't been able to get into this band on album, but oh my, they were so fun to see live.

[Ryzenfall]

I haven't been able to get into this band on album, but oh my, they were so fun to see live.

That's how i feel about National Product. They blew my mind live and yet i cannot listen to their album for my life.

Anathallo sounds great live. I need to check out this release soon.

[Tribute2Ben89]

Oh man. I respect your review, but I just love this album. I don't think it's close to Floating World, but I think it's a strong album altogether. Love "Italo", "The River", and "Cafetorium". I'd probably give it closer to an 85%, but I understand not all music is for everyone.

[FaceLixeMurder]

Floating World is amazing and they are amazing live as well, but this just didn't grab me like FW so I completely understand and agree with your review, good job!

[Broclee]

I think this band is completely overrated and agree 100% with you :whistle:

I would personally be wary to think of this band as "overrated," I hardly ever hear anyone talking about them, but maybe that's just my corner of the world.

Anyways, I respect this review a lot, and I will agree that it doesn't unleash a fury of beauty in the same way that Floating World did, but I do find this intricate and amazing.

[topher465]

I'll probably still pick it up.

[saysmydoctor]

This album is not as good as Floating World, but still amazing.

[johnh5304]

It's hard to compare this to Floating World when you consider that album is a masterpiece.

[Mens]

I hate this review.

I appreciate humor,, but it has no cogency in this review. Of all the bands in the world, Anathallo is by far more creative and unique than the billions out there.

I get the feeling you don't really understand concepts in music like less is more, for example this statement,

"Ending the album with a nap is “Tower of Babel.”

Off of listening to Noni's Field, I really don't get what kind of sound you are looking for,,, cause it was way more catchy than any Anathallo song I've ever heard.

Anyways, if anybody wants a solid review on this album you can find it here:

http://www.emotionalpunk.com/cdreview/745/

[mikemosh]

i'd give this review a 64%.

[losethegirl]

I didn't get into them until after I saw them live. But ever since I have enjoyed them immensely and I loooove the new album. Definitely not a 100%, but I would give it a solid 80-something.

[sdisticsquirrel]

I haven't been able to get into this band on album, but oh my, they were so fun to see live.
i completely agree. i saw them open for The Format...they were amazing and different...i had to buy Floating World and a shirt at the show, but i didn't get into the album as much

Floating World has since grown on me, but i still don't listen to it that often

if anyone gets a chance to see them live, though...don't miss it

[Illuminate]

I haven't been able to get into this band on album, but oh my, they were so fun to see live.
This.

[Blake Solomon]

I hate this review.

I appreciate humor,, but it has no cogency in this review. Of all the bands in the world, Anathallo is by far more creative and unique than the billions out there.

I get the feeling you don't really understand concepts in music like less is more, for example this statement,

"Ending the album with a nap is “Tower of Babel.”

Off of listening to Noni's Field, I really don't get what kind of sound you are looking for,,, cause it was way more catchy than any Anathallo song I've ever heard.

Anyways, if anybody wants a solid review on this album you can find it here:

http://www.emotionalpunk.com/cdreview/745/


Hate?! Such a strong word, but ok. Let's take this one apart.

I understand the humor isn't for everyone, but it is for me, so let's move on. I don't see it's relevance with your next point, though? Amidst my dastardly humor, I describe how I think they have done inventive things with the handbell. True, it's in a stupid, did-i-graduate-3rd-grade anecdote, but it's still there. The reason their "creativity" score is so low is because, yeah, they do some cool things, but this open-ended indie folk and "we're serious" songwriting is not new. Their voices and many of their instrumental parts (when prominent) are simply beautiful. There's no way around that point - a 64% is above average. They are pleasing to the ear. But like the dude on ol' emopunk.com says, you can listen to them without really listening. He said you can do that on Floating World, which I disagree with and think you can do that with Canopy Glow. Still, I think that this being possible is the exact opposite of what they want. I would guess that they want us glued to the speaker, taking in every word and note. And in that instance, they fail. This album is background music. It's good background music, but it doesn't pull you in like Floating World.

And it seems you and that reviewer disagree about Noni's Field. He mentions how sparse and "desolate" it is and you mention how catchy it is. I think I agree with emopunk.com.

And yeah, the last song is boring and slow. Once again, pretty, but there's already a song just like that on the album and it's "Sleeping Torpor." They both sound very similar to my ears and it just didn't make a lot of sense to rehash on a fairly short album.

I don't want to assume, but it seems by one of your points that you've only heard Noni's Field? If that's true, which I apologize if it isn't, why take such a strong stance on opinions before hearing the whole thing? Is one song really enough? But like I say, if that's not the case, ignore it.

[IAmAmazing]

Hey, I'm wondering why they took this down for pre-order, i was late and wasn't able to order it.

[Petzl]

I think this album is as good as Floating World if not better, musically and lyrically. I'm surprised at how many people say it can't even compare...the strings and horns on this album were far superior. It's all a matter of taste I guess.

[downtotheriver]

Love this album.

[opentheharbors]

great album with good lyrics, but no surprise hearing it from me (see: username). D: altho, honestly, i did feel slight trepidation upon first sampling the album, that it was possibly -too- stripped down in comparison to previous work, to its detriment. however, these songs bring the hurt live. saw em last week in chapel hill and twas righteous. i then picked up the album proper at the show, let it sink in more, and can now confidently declare an A-. (:

[Cossar]

i'm very very suprised.

[Jumpoff]

I would personally be wary to think of this band as "overrated," I hardly ever hear anyone talking about them, but maybe that's just my corner of the world.

Anyways, I respect this review a lot, and I will agree that it doesn't unleash a fury of beauty in the same way that Floating World did, but I do find this intricate and amazing.

There's a difference between unheard of by mainstream crowds and overrated. The fact that they received a 100% on here with Floating World and almost talked about in perfect classic 5/5 status in the forums, I would say they are overrated..

I completely agree with the Floating World review on Pitchfork.

[bummerama]

Anathallo is a band of musicians whose skill goes far beyond the scope of this reviewer. Way to prove that our generation has the collective attention span of a two-week old squirrel. Contemporary music needs bands like Anathallo, otherwise modern music listeners would be awash in bands that wish they could equal the limited skill of Panic (who the fuck cares about exclamation mark) at the Disco. Hopefully this incredibly shallow review won't be taken seriously by too many people.

[Mens]

Anathallo is a band of musicians whose skill goes far beyond the scope of this reviewer. Way to prove that our generation has the collective attention span of a two-week old squirrel. Contemporary music needs bands like Anathallo, otherwise modern music listeners would be awash in bands that wish they could equal the limited skill of Panic (who the fuck cares about exclamation mark) at the Disco. Hopefully this incredibly shallow review won't be taken seriously by too many people.
thannkkkkk youuu

[12:46AM]

Damn I am good at that hammer game at the carnival.

[Grybo]

smoke a few bowls and grab some headphones, you'll love it

[thousandssteps]

i love this cd...i have like anathello for a long time..ive seen them live about three times and every time i see them they get better and better...i cant wait to see them for this cd..
i think this cd is there best yet...
the reason i think that is because they way they use sound as feelings...and i think that they wanted to make a beautiful cd ...it reminds me of sigur ros on this cd.....i listen to there cd and it makes me want to move to iceland even though they dont live there..
to me its a great cd..

and the funny thing all the reviews ive seen on this cd have been great until this...pitchfork gave it like a 9..

[fluke182]

There's a difference between unheard of by mainstream crowds and overrated. The fact that they received a 100% on here with Floating World and almost talked about in perfect classic 5/5 status in the forums, I would say they are overrated..

I completely agree with the Floating World review on Pitchfork.
You completely agree with the mean spirited and entirely off the point review from Pitchfork that gave it a 2.7? Wow. Nice man.

This album is no Floating World, but it's still great in its own right and a grower. I've listened to it through no less than 20 times over the last week and a half and it's rapidly climbing my end of the year charts. It definitely works better with headphones and a nice cup of coffee, but the intricacies and the beauty of the album are tough to match.

It's not perfect, as I agree with Blake, "Sleeping Torpor" and "Tower of Babel" are not the most engaging tracks the band has ever written (although this is a darker album from Anathallo, so they fit). However, "All the First Pages" and "the River" are two of the best songs they've ever written and two of my favorite tracks of the year. The album is full of standouts with just two lulls (that have progressively gotten better in my book I may add).

I'm excited, I got my preorder in today so now I can actually listen with the case and lyrics and everything.

While it's hard to say Blake is wrong because it's his opinion, I do disagree vehemently and feel like he should give it another shot.

[lostfear]

such a good live band...

[Broclee]

There's a difference between unheard of by mainstream crowds and overrated. The fact that they received a 100% on here with Floating World and almost talked about in perfect classic 5/5 status in the forums, I would say they are overrated..

I completely agree with the Floating World review on Pitchfork.

I never even read the Floating World review on Pitchfork, but based on what someone said, it seems way off.

I think this is band is beyond talented, Floating World is an amazing album, and yeah, this isn't a repeat of that, but it's good in its own right.

Everyone is entitle to their opinions, but to say that this is band is overrated because people on here thought Floating World was a masterpiece of an album, I just don't buy that.

[Blake Solomon]

You completely agree with the mean spirited and entirely off the point review from Pitchfork that gave it a 2.7? Wow. Nice man.

This album is no Floating World, but it's still great in its own right and a grower. I've listened to it through no less than 20 times over the last week and a half and it's rapidly climbing my end of the year charts. It definitely works better with headphones and a nice cup of coffee, but the intricacies and the beauty of the album are tough to match.

It's not perfect, as I agree with Blake, "Sleeping Torpor" and "Tower of Babel" are not the most engaging tracks the band has ever written (although this is a darker album from Anathallo, so they fit). However, "All the First Pages" and "the River" are two of the best songs they've ever written and two of my favorite tracks of the year. The album is full of standouts with just two lulls (that have progressively gotten better in my book I may add).

I'm excited, I got my preorder in today so now I can actually listen with the case and lyrics and everything.

While it's hard to say Blake is wrong because it's his opinion, I do disagree vehemently and feel like he should give it another shot.

To imply that I only gave it one shot is mildly disrespectful. Its had plenty of time to catch on and it hasn't yet. Its just lacking the engaging and intellectual quality of floating world. The styles are similar musically, but this record just misses too often

[littlebeav]

I love the new AP.net beta. I'd give it an 87%. That is all.

[PoisonInMyVeins]

There's a difference between unheard of by mainstream crowds and overrated. The fact that they received a 100% on here with Floating World and almost talked about in perfect classic 5/5 status in the forums, I would say they are overrated..

I completely agree with the Floating World review on Pitchfork.

pitchfork are a bunch of douchebags, but everything they said regarding floating world is pretty sensible. i dig the album, but they make good points.

i still haven't checked this album out yet. i gotta get on that.

[fluke182]

To imply that I only gave it one shot is mildly disrespectful. Its had plenty of time to catch on and it hasn't yet. Its just lacking the engaging and intellectual quality of floating world. The styles are similar musically, but this record just misses too often
Sorry, I didn't mean you only gave it one shot. I just meant you should continue to give it more spins to see if it picks up for you. Perhaps it's just not your cup of tea, but I do agree that it's not as good as Floating World overall.

[thousandssteps]

the reason people like foating world more....is because its a more to what Anathello was back in the day..and that is crazy drumbs and a lot goin on..
the new cd has a lot goin on ..its just way different...

but if this was a sigur ros cd...it would of gotten a 80 or better on this site...

i love sigur ros..not talkin crap about them..
i just dont think people are givein the new cd a chance to listen to it...

[awakeohsleeper]

Man, I was hoping for a better score for this album. I'm getting it for Christmas so I will let you know if I disagree or agree by then. I loved Floating World. One of the best CDs I own. So I'm hoping I enjoyed it slightly more than your score suggests!

[Moth]

"Canopy Glow takes time, and that's something I just don't have."

Thanks for the thoughtful review Mr. Solomon. I'll be curious how time might effect your view of this album.

Perhaps I think about music from a little different perspective than most of the people writing here since I've been listening to music pretty seriously since the '70s. That certainly doesn't make me more of an authority on what constitutes good music. If anything it probably makes my opinion suspect.

I've been listening to Anathallo for about six years (maybe a little longer) and have been to at least seven of their shows. Early this spring I got my hands on the initial mix of this album. I have had plenty of time to listen to it (maybe 30 times?). My basic opinion is that this is an excellent album; one which I much prefer to Floating World. Not that I dislike the latter (the PF review was suspiciously mean-spirited), but Canopy Glow is from my perspective more coherent, mature (yikes!) and beautiful (double yikes!!).

Often people compare live Anathallo with their records. While that comparison is valid I regard the two things (live music versus recorded music) as having very different potentials. I don't know of another band that brings quite the kind of communal spirit to performance to their live performance as Anathallo. While this spirit was evidentally brought to the act of making the record, the result is much more (intentionally) contemplative. That is perfectly fitting and desirable as far as I'm concerned.

[Petzl]

I've been listening to Anathallo for about six years (maybe a little longer) and have been to at least seven of their shows. Early this spring I got my hands on the initial mix of this album. I have had plenty of time to listen to it (maybe 30 times?). My basic opinion is that this is an excellent album; one which I much prefer to Floating World. Not that I dislike the latter (the PF review was suspiciously mean-spirited), but Canopy Glow is from my perspective more coherent, mature (yikes!) and beautiful (double yikes!!).

I totally agree, 100%. I think specifically "The River" demonstrates the beauty of this album. The harmonies, piano, horns, and violin especially are spectacular to say the least. As a whole Floating World may be slightly better but I feel there are several stand-out tracks on Canopy Glow that cannot be touched by any song on Floating World in terms of musicianship.

[RebelSoul]

Thanks for the review dude, but I definately respectfully disagree.

I'm absolutely in love with this album. It never ceases to amaze me how creative Anathallo can be instrumentally, rhythmically, and lyrically. And it comes across SO naturally. This is music you definately can't force or fake.

I'm not getting a sense of what you were looking for. This album has plenty of energy and intensity, even in the slow songs. And out of 10 songs, there are really only 3 slow ones anyways (Northern Lights, Sleeping Torpor, and Tower of Babel), but even those songs hold their own kind of intesity lyrically.

The album is incredibly creative. And a fine departure from Floating World. I LOVED floating world, but that album is a bit difficult to compare to this one for various reasons; one being it's very different musically, and it could almost be considered a concept album with the story of the dog running through it.

I'm absolutely in love with this album. It has fantastic dynamics overall, and also within each individual song. It's very well thought out, and very intentional.

Kudos to Anathallo for not buying into the predictable pop sensibilities that we love to hear, yet somehow writing incredibley infectious music, and also, Kudos to them for never writing the same album twice.

The world needs more bands like Anathallo that write solid, honost music, despite the current musical trends.

I give this album at least a solid 9. It's definately a gleeming and refreshing diamond in the drab, dull, cookie-cutter rough.

[bgkersey]

This is Anathallo's best full-length.

[Blake Solomon]

"Canopy Glow takes time, and that's something I just don't have."

Thanks for the thoughtful review Mr. Solomon. I'll be curious how time might effect your view of this album.

Perhaps I think about music from a little different perspective than most of the people writing here since I've been listening to music pretty seriously since the '70s. That certainly doesn't make me more of an authority on what constitutes good music. If anything it probably makes my opinion suspect.

I've been listening to Anathallo for about six years (maybe a little longer) and have been to at least seven of their shows. Early this spring I got my hands on the initial mix of this album. I have had plenty of time to listen to it (maybe 30 times?). My basic opinion is that this is an excellent album; one which I much prefer to Floating World. Not that I dislike the latter (the PF review was suspiciously mean-spirited), but Canopy Glow is from my perspective more coherent, mature (yikes!) and beautiful (double yikes!!).

Often people compare live Anathallo with their records. While that comparison is valid I regard the two things (live music versus recorded music) as having very different potentials. I don't know of another band that brings quite the kind of communal spirit to performance to their live performance as Anathallo. While this spirit was evidentally brought to the act of making the record, the result is much more (intentionally) contemplative. That is perfectly fitting and desirable as far as I'm concerned.
I must say this is an extremely thoughtful response. I do appreciate you not calling me a dumb idiot and moving on with your day. As such, I'd like to respond in the same respectful fashion.

As a fairly avid listener of this band for about 4 years now, I do also have the ability to use hindsight, but also the unfair quality of nostalgia to contend with. I remember when I would illegally find a file here and a file there that first winter of my Anathallo experience. It was special and everything clicked. Music laced with Christian ideals that I can stomach and feel inspired by was rare.

Sure, they've strayed from the era of the "Hymns" days or even "Luminous." Which, hey, fine; Undertones are just fine. However, with "Canopy Glow", I just feel like I'm missing something or that free-spirited style is gone. A lot of time was spent working on this album and I wonder if some of the subtle nuances or little fun bits of previous releases were lost in the ol' "perfection" shuffle. And 3 songs of, what, 10 that sound eerily similar? I can't overlook that. It's true that the vocals are the best that they have ever been, but not fully using the many members leaves a longing for more.

This is surely a good album. It's just not great like I expected/hope.

[Gregory Robson]

I think I'm alone on this front, but I like this more than Floating World.

[Blakebear]

I think I'm alone on this front, but I like this more than Floating World.
Yeah, I think I do too.

I've only listened to it a few times, but so far I think I prefer it to Floating World.