Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Swift Tracks: Matthew and the Arrogant Sea and Annie Benjamin

By Brenna Rushing

These two bands from the folk genre couldn’t be any more different. But since folk is a broad category, it works. These songs by both artists, "Some Kind of Wonder” by Annie Benjamin and “Marry Me Annie” by Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, can be considered opposites on the genre’s scale.

Kate Mackley

Annie Benjamin

Annie Benjamin’s single, which is also the name of her newest album, has a country undertone. Her voice is a strong presence, possibly the best ingredient added to the track. It's very strong and confident, gripping your ears immediately.

She is known for her flute playing abilities, it’s what got her into the music scene. Sadly, her flute didn’t grace us with its company here. The guitar takes the spotlight instead.

The song is praising someone for being a great person. One of the best compliments in the song is “You’re a force of nature every night," showing us a glimpse of her great writing ability.

The song is on her newest album, which came out in early 2007.

She currently resides in Dallas, holding up her role as soccer mom, band member, and lead singer.

Melanie Gomez

Matthew and the Arrogant Sea

Matthew and the Arrogant Sea instantly struck me as a group from the 70’s, coming back for more in ’08. The lead singers' voice resembles the Flaming Lips, as does their overall sound. They are listed as one of their influences on their website.

The track has a plethora of effects, giving the vocals a very distant element. This is one of the most inviting parts from the track. It’s a unique quality, which helps give the band their color. Their myspace is very colorful, so this would be a compliment well received!

The band is made up of four family members, and three “outsiders”. Matthew started the group, and soon realized instruments and other voices would be the missing pieces.

Their newest CD, appropriately named Family Family Family Meets the Magic Christian will be out October of this year.

To be able to see both of these bands, you would need to go to different shows. If you’re a hippie feeling out of a place, run to the next Matthew and the Arrogant Sea show as fast as you can (psst, Dan's Silverleaf on June 7). But if you’re itching for some down home folk music, catch Annie Benjamin’s next gig.

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• Week in View: No mo’ P.P.T. edition (June 5, 2008)

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• Arts > Popular Music > Folk
• Arts > Popular Music > Singer / Songwriter