Despite having a name that conjures up a death metal abyss, Anathallo plays an ethereal folk pop with jazzy undertones, like a sidewalk klezmer band that dreams of the big folk stage. The septet from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan keeps busy by juggling any number of instruments (guitar, bass, drums to be sure, but also trombone, keyboards, glockenspiel, flugelhorn and various percussive items) and an equal amount of musical styles, from chamber chorale to orchestral pop to a roiling indie carnival rock. Although Anathallo is getting its first wide exposure with the release of Floating World, the band has already intrigued the folks back home with a quartet of self-released albums that have helped them perfect their sonic scrapbook style. Along with the Sharp Things and Pilotdrift, Anathallo gets props for having one of the most original and engaging sounds of this new year.
(Release date: June 6, 2006)
