Words: Andrew Major
At the tail end of April, Manchester-based unit The Anecdotes unveiled their debut EP 'Origami Waves'. The indie/post punk quartet blend a mix of intricate melodies and memorable vocals with an exciting, youthful undercurrent that made for an enjoyable listening experience. The Anecdotes themselves have only been writing and recording for little over a year as their current set-up, but it's clear to see they've got their heads screwed on when it comes to producing energetic and well thought out music.The band have continued to make waves in cyberspace, being features on many online blogs and publications all backed up by regular live performances in and around their native Manchester.
'Origami Waves' itself is a multi-faceted, lo-fi, low budget collection of four tracks tied together with a highly recognisable vocal delivery from frontman Matt Hensley. Title track 'Origami Waves' has a decidedly post-punk feel about it, with some very Pixies influenced intricate guitar work and crashing drums which ooze energy and emotion. The monotone style vocals of the verse are overhauled by the sing-a-long chorus melody - prime for a festival stage.
The band really come into their own and display some highly intelligent instrumentation in the track's closing sections with one final big chorus to finish. Track two, 'Kaleidoscope', offers up a slightly different angle to The Anecdotes and shows off the band's rich collection of influences from new and old. The opening of the track has Foals written all over it with their signature guitar sound being used to produce a clever set of interlocking guitar melodies. Another big chorus with some Cribs style backing vocals is certainly one of the catchier moment of 'Origami Waves'. The track follows a very familiar structure with the addition of another clever middle 8 into the final catchy chorus.
'Fell Into A Dream' is definitely right up my street with some simple, but highly effective, 4/4 drum work and some disjointed instrumentation making for an interesting and more poignant track than previous. For me, their organic style and sound is shown off to its full extent in moments like these. I would have liked to hear more in this vein rather than some of the poppier tracks which precede it. The track, and indeed the entire EP, is jam-packed full of meaningful lyrics with a real sense of emotion with them which is truly refreshing to hear.
Final track 'Sepia Fields' finds the band moving back to what they know, with more influences showing from the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club. The track however does have some moments of originality with a section of heavy bursts of distorted guitars and cymbal blasts offset with a clean and twinkling guitar line; another highlight of an EP with little to set it apart from other current up and coming bands.
Overall, 'Origami Waves' is a competent display of musicianship for such a young band. Some heart-felt lyrics and interesting enough guitar work make the EP enjoyable, but possibly not memorable, due to the huge amount of influences the band clearly have. I am sure The Anecdotes will enjoy an element of success in coming years and inevitably will find their own elusive sound.
The Anecdotes are: Matt Hensley - guitar/vocals, Mike Rowlinson - guitar, Nick Bardford - bass, Ellis Cullen - drums
The next live shows from The Anecdotes are June 22 at The Lounge, Warrington and June 29 at Friars Court, Warrington.
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