Saw these guys (anathallo) tonight with Carolyn and Stefan. They played a strong set, shuffling around a small stage, exchanging instruments with one another like children standing before a mirror, unsuccessfully trying to choose the right Sunday outfit. The fact of the matter was that regardless of the combination, their music was enchanting, explosive, and genuine. Whereas the opening act, Sam Amidon, had enough stage space to splay his banjo, violin, and guitar wherever he pleased, Anathallo’s 7 members seemed rather layered one on top of the other, fitting for a band which focuses wholly on layering of various instruments and vocal harmonies anyway. The best example of this polyphonic stratum being Italo, during which nearly every member found a mic, a few blocks of wood, or just their own two hands, and made music together like a gigantically joyful organism.
Glued together by a collective talent and cohesion, they stomped, shouted, and whispered songs old and new, as well as a great cover from a Chicago band called Ribbons of Song which I particularly enjoyed because it had to do with following a dream, even past the point of no return. It definitely spoke, and as it was played with only a guitar and two voices, the quietly still stage was as much an attention-getter as the banging marching band drums and trumpets of other songs.
Anathallo played a great set, and I am definitely glad that I fended off jet lag and decided to go see them. It was a good show, a good night, and now I am looking forward to a good, peaceful sleep!
Guten Nacht Freunde,
Drew~
