Can't Miss Artist of the Week - Week Five

Annuals/Sunfold
Annuals MySpace, Sunfold MySpace, Annuals Official Website,


Sound Breakdown and Analysis

How can a band release a split EP with themselves? Well, if you're a part of the collection of members from Annuals and Sunfold, it's quite easy. They are basically the same group. Annuals are a band from Raleigh, NC who share the same basic members as the band Sunfold, but feature lead singer Adam Baker. Sunfold is the sister project of Annuals, and allow guitarist/vocalist Kenny Florence to sing lead vocals for this group. These two groups are the very same band except for the lead singer distinction, but Sunfold is supposed to be more "guitar-heavy sounding". If you can't decipher the idea here, don't worry. Both bands are worth your time and ears.


The Wet Zoo EP, which came out April 1st, includes five tracks, the first three from Annuals and the last two by Sunfold. Best put by Last FM.com, "Annuals transform pop paradigms into sweeping, luxuriant sonic landscapes while remaining faithful to a wholehearted emotional core." This basically means Adam Baker leads the Annuals' charge to stretch the noises and sounds of electronica, folk, and indie rock. Songs on Annuals last full length album, Be He Me, released in 2006 features "Complete, Or Completing", a folksy ballad complete with piano accompaniment, and "Chase You Off", which demonstrates a mix of their tastes and rock ability. Sunfold released their first full length CD, Toy Tugboats, on July 22nd. This disc includes the groovy, reggae guitared "Shrinking the Sphere" and "Gnosis", a softer indie rock jam filled with Kenny Florence's high pitched vocals.


Why You Should Be Listening

These band mates produce a unique sound, even in the indie arena. Some of their songs are hard to come by on the web, which is why there are limited links in this posting. Nonetheless, Annuals appeal to the Mars Volta-lite fans while Sunfold expresses the love for indie rock many other music fans may feel.