Every once in a while it is refreshing to encounter a seemingly more soft-spoken, quieter band. I had the pleasure of seeing Band of Annuals the other night at White Water Tavern and was absolutely blown away by their music. I had only heard them prior to that night through their Myspace page, and I thought how could this band be any better? Simply put they were fantastic live.
The six-piece band casually made their way up on stage and jumped right in to playing. They did not try to distract the audience with bells and whistles, but instead lured them in with their catchy music and great lyrics. The best thing about getting the audience’s attention, in my opinion, is that they were quiet enough to get the crowd to move towards the stage, and once people moved up and really listened to the music they were disinclined to leave the front. Flat out, that’s just how good they were. Throughout the evening I kept overhearing many people saying, “wow, these guys are really, really good.” I myself was one of those people and would definitely say it again if asked about them.
This band is definitely worthy of keeping on my radar, and I look forward to their eventual return to Little Rock. I anticipate this to happen anytime within several months to the early months of next year because traveling expenses from Salt Lake City have to be ridiculous at the moment, but I can say almost without a doubt the next time they book a show here, I will be there.
-L
There's no place like The White Water Tavern. Little Rock is really fortunate to have it. Walking into it is like stepping back in time. It's a tavern in the truest sense of the word. Ancient wooden floors, neon signs that haven't worked in 20 years, blue ribbon beer for a buck fifty, and stage lighting so old it looks like it might have been used on the set of I Love Lucy. Matt White and company may have modernized the crowd but the setting has stood the test of time. And thank God for that.
Monday night was a great night even by White Water standards. Band of Annuals were in town from Salt Lake and they played a night's worth of fine music for no cover charge. What a deal. Describing themselves as a folk/country/rock band, their sound really is very hard to categorize. Lead vocalist Jay Henderson's voice has been likened to that of David Gray, a comparison I didn't agree with at first but on reflection is pretty accurate. The lap steel guitar is what lends the touch of country to their sound, but the keyboard takes it in a different direction. Henderson and keyboardist Jeremi Hanson (she's a girl) harmonize beautifully on vocals. The interplay between the band's mellow sound and Henderson and Hanson's harmony is really easy on the ears and, quite frankly, mesmerizing after a while. Particularly after the second blue ribbon.
After playing maybe half the set, the band members took a much-deserved break, hung out with the crowd, had a round of shots, and then it was back to the old grindstone for the second half. If you've never heard this band, I really recommend you check them out on their Myspace page and listen to a few of their songs. And if you missed this show, don't worry too much about it. They'll be coming back through sometime in late September, according to guitarist Jamie Timm.
The one complaint we always have about WWT is that the bands never seem to start anywhere near on time. That's not a problem on a Friday or Saturday night, but on Monday night...well, it makes for a helluva rough Tuesday morning. All in all, though, this band was well worth the wait. I'll be back to see them again in September.
-G
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