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Anathallo - Floating World (Nettwerk, 2006)

Anathallo is derived from a Greek word referring to blossoming flowers and ever-improving, maturing change. This, mixed with a distinctive sound and passion seeping out through the seams is exactly what the band is all about. The perfect word to describe Anathallo is "revolutionary."

Comprised of an army of musicians playing no less than two instruments each, Anathallo conquer unexplored territory with perfection. Floating World, the band's first full-length release, experiments with folk, waltz, jazz, classical influences and an underlying hint of symphonic opera. Although, if you ask Matt Joynt, (vocals/keys/many more) they are simply a "marching band gone wild."

At first glance, Floating World appears to be less an album and more a piece of art. The handcrafted cover is unlike the other CDs you'll place it next to. It's made of sturdy brown paper and has delicate, whimsical, flower-like cutouts. This little touch is a reminder of how much this band cares about their music and their audience. For those who were fortunate enough to preorder Floating World, they also received a piece of soap, handmade by the band and infused with lemongrass and tea. Their care and consideration is even more present in Anathallo's music and live performances.

Although you may have to read through the lyrics to identify them, Anathallo bridge concepts over several tracks. Floating World comes complete with a short story of a magic dog's stay with an elderly, barren couple and their greedy neighbor. Basically, the neighbor is disappointed when the dog does not find and provide golden coins from his yard, as he did for his owners. The neighbor gets angry and nervous and kills the animal. To cover his tracks, he then burns the dog and mayhem ensues as its ashes are spread. The story, appearing alongside its accompanying musical counterparts, connects four of the fourteen tracks and adds to the already theatrical feel of the album. These tracks do not appear in chronological order, but rather flow musically and thematically. Often, the listener cannot differentiate between tracks.

Unlike other music, Anathallo's is more about the combination of all sounds rather than one instrument or vocals standing out among the rest. Listeners won't be caught waiting for an intro to end in search of lyrics, but will rather bask in the xylophones, trumpets, trombones, tambourines, numerous styles of drums, keys, pipes, guitars, bass, stomping and clapping. These all meld with vocals to truly become one. Also unlike other bands, Anathallo experiment with time signatures and foreign tongues to create a unique sound. Try clapping along to the seven-four time in the beginning of Dokkoise House (With Face Covered) and identifying the chants a third of the way through. This track, number five, is also my pick for the best song on Floating World, but would be incomplete without the surrounding album. It includes all stylistic components of the album and times in at six minutes exactly. It catches listeners off guard the first time around with its dramatic tempo and energy changes.

However, their talent and captivating lyrics are not a bit intimidating. The repetition of "slugs and bugs" in Hanasakajiji (One: The Angry Neighbor) and the stomp-clap intermission of Hoodwink give the album a lightheartedness, although still dealing with advanced and complex themes. The entire album is bound by the motifs of blossoming flowers and humanity. It exudes beauty and insight and is sure to enthrall its listeners.

We can expect much of this band to come in the future. With already six years and nearly 20 tours and five EPs (all self recorded and released) behind them, Anathallo are on the track to success. They choose to remain unsigned to maintain control of their sound and create their own path, ever maturing as their name implies.

You can catch Anathallo on tour now with The Format, and again this July-September on a complete US tour.

Alissa Klein
Chapman Radio (www.chapmanradio.com)