Album Review: Anarbor - The Worlds You Don't Swallow

Anarbor are quite the eclectic bunch, with members citing influences from Fall Out Boy, to Lynyrd Skynyrd without forgetting Madonna. They are also uncommonly unknown for a band who's song appears on an NHL advert and popular series The Hills. Fans report this is due to their "not wanting to sell out" which is fair enough considering, the brand of music they play is quick to be swept away by marketing campaigns.

With their début album "The Words You Can't Swallow", the band delivers an interesting brand of pop-rock, tinted with classic rock, funk, some Weezer and some good old emo vocal habits. As much as this sounds like the worst cocktail ever, opening track "Contagious" opens with emphatic energy meddling pop-punk with some 70's rock influence before delivering a massive chorus (you'll have to get used to that). The same goes for the three following tracks. "Drugstore Diet" features the fun factor of Weezer, a fresh summery vibe and a perfectly weighed dose of catchiness.

They even fit in a simple but effective solo to go. "Mr. Big Shot" shows largely British influences with some Arctic Monkeys urgency and an interesting chorus memorable for its marginality from pop-punk's usual substance. "Gipsy Woman", however, is the stand out track off the album, embracing 70's rock with a driving energy before it bursts into a sensational chorus. The song illustrates some good song-writing skills, and raises Anarbor above the rest of its contemporaries.

However, the level of excitement is immediately toned down as the rest of the tracks on the album feel mostly uninspired and less memorable. "Let The Games Begin" sounds like it was made for TV Spots, "Going To Jail" sees the band playing with a blues theme without ever trying to make something of their own out of it. "I Do What I Do", although not the most intelligent track on the album does sound like it would be a good live track, with fist pumping moments interlaced with sing-a-longs and hand claps. "This Can't Be Healthy" shows signs of redeeming itself with interesting instrumentals but ends up lacking the urgency of the opening four tracks.

Anarbor are a good band, and deserve a listen, but it does feel like a mini-album with 7 or 8 tracks would've been perfect to showcase their talent. Their multi-influenced pop-rock deserves far more than hundreds of bands out there, and I sincerely hope that they manage to time a second release better so as to have a more consistent album.

3.5/5

'The Worlds You Don't Swallow' by Anarbor is available now on Hopeless Records.

Anarbor on MySpace

James Berclaz-Lewis