Audioholic Media

After hearing a few tracks online from Anathallo, I requested a review copy for Canopy Glowing. At first, I’m not going to lie, I expected to receive a bag of trail mix, some pine cones, and a tiny book of haiku. Needless to say, I got the review copy…and some trail mix.

The band has a very naturalistic vibe to them. They are the band who could survive in the woods. Just give them makeshift instruments and they’ll make do with what they’re given, I’m sure. The first thing your ears hear when listening to any track on Canopy Glowing is an array of instruments and voices. With the seven members who currently make up Anathallo, it seems like everyone offers a little something to the album.

Certain tracks lack the conventional amount of lyrics that you’re used to hearing from other bands, but with Anathallo, their unique sounds speak for the entire track. Whether they’re throwing around a slew of “ahhh’s” and “oooh’s,” humming ominously in the background over trumpets, or harmonizing with not only each other, but with their instruments, I can positively say that this album is extremely well-crafted and thought out.

I think a great example of what I’m trying to express can be heard in “Bells.” It’s one of the most calming tracks on the entire album and shows just how much each member takes with their own arrangements and forms one perfect collaboration. Usually, when you take this many sounds and voices and lump them into one track, it can cause a chaotic mess. If this is a mess, then I want my life turned upside down.

To be completely honest, Canopy Glowing is an album that you will either love or hate. Regardless of your opinion, I think that everyone can come to a general agreement that this is an album that needs to be respected. I love this album. I respect this album.

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Canopy Glowing is currently available on iTunes.
For more information on Anathallo, visit the band’s MySpace.