Album Cover
It must have been a month ago. I was visiting DJ Padawn, we were talking about the latest PS3 games and new good musicwhen he suddenly jumped, dug about for a moment, and pushed a CD into the console. A new band, played before Apoptygma Berzerk the night before in Mainz. I listened to the whole albumwithout saying a word. When it was over, I turned to Padawn, grinning like a maniac. „They’re playing again tomorrow in Mannheim, the Scissor Queen and I are going. Want me to get you a CD?“
The Anix are – as far as I can tell – a pretty new Band from the US, and this Album, Demolition City, seems to be their first release. Their musical style is quite interesting, combining rock and electronics with a touch of 80s new wave, the balance shifting from track to track. In the just over half hour it takes to get through the ten songs on this CD you’ll hear shifts from electronics andkeyboards inspired by Human League or Depeche Mode towards guitar rock influenced by the likes of Filter or CKY. Add to the mix some really good songwriting and a very clear singing voice, and you start to wonder why nobody seems to be talking about these guys.
It’s hard to recommend three definate tracks with this album, not only because of the style mix, it’s also a matter of not being able to decide which tracks to choose. However, the songs you MUST give a go if you have a chance are „Bullets without a gun“, „She lives in the dark“ and „This Game“. „Bullets without a gun“ is a beautiful mix, with the stances performed in a slow, almost spoken voice, backed by electronics, the chorus sung more traditionally with electronics-supported guitars, and lyrics describing the disapointment at the aftermath of a breakup. The third track of the album, „She lives in the dark“, is as close as this album gets to a ballad – which isn’t very. The lyrics tell the story of a woman’s lonelynessin a big city, looking for company in any way possible. Musically, this song is more on the electronics side of things, with very little rock influence. Finally, „This Game“ is another breakup song, this time seemingly set in the actual breaking up phase of things, with the protagonist pleadingwith his opposite to turn away from a path that can only lead to pain for both of them. This song is faster and more rock orientated than the other two, and would probably make an excellent choice for a single.
I had this album on my mp3-player for more than two weeks, and am still listening to it extensively, which is more than I can say for most albums I’ve found in the last twelve months. If you can pick it up anywhere (It’s 12$ US on the band’s website), DO SO. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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