Anathallo
Floating World

THE REVIEW

When you least expect it....

It was only by chance that I listened to this band from Michigan, but with a Greek name meaning to regenerate/rebirth, currently composed of 7 members (which increase during live performances) and so I unexpectedly found myself immersed in their 'Floating World', rich not only in sweet and serene atmospheres, but above all in passion, energy, sounds.

14 tracks often connected to each other, in what is a concept album started in 2003, on one of the most complex and essential parts of Japanese thought: the "floating world" (which for them represents not only history and art, but also a way of life, a kind of limbo, a lifejacket to protect against pain and melancholy), whose enigmatic sounds border on remarkable orchestral power, as well as an inner strength that only great songwriting can have, where the mind might also run towards Sufjan Stevens, Múm, and Architecture In Helsinki.

Anathallo might seem pretentious, but instead, I believe they have courage to spare and are perfectly aware of their skill: otherwise, a project like this, so full of difficulties, wouldn't be explained. The perfect example comes from "Hanasakajijii (part I-IV)": a suite divided into four parts, about the story of a dog searching for gold for its master, with extremely incisive and varied emotional pop. But how could we not also mention the melody built on the little bells of "Dokkoise House (with face covered)", the fluctuating rhythm of "Hoodwink", the sweet tribality of "Kasa no Hone (the umbrella's bones)", the dreamy "The Bruised Reed", the involvement that grabs you while listening to "By Number".

Power and fragility blend in the "floating world" of Anathallo, who have created magnificent disordered sound explosions of not easy immediacy, constantly accompanied by the emotional voice of Matt Joynt, the rhythmic choruses of the other members (including one female), their hand claps, and absolutely captivating trumpets and clarinets.

Great surprise.

Regards, Addison.