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anix sleepwalker
Artist: The Anix
Title: Sleepwalker
Genre: Grunge Electro Rock
Release Date: 9th September 2011
Label: Cleopatra Records


Album Review

THE ANIX were formed in 2001 by Brandon Smith and from the beginning they were inspired by the DEPECHE MODE, THE CURE, DURAN DURAN, NIRVANA and MUSE. Add to the mix a hint of APOPTYGMA BERZERK (after all Brandon is their guitarist) and the fact that the band is deeply influenced by movies and you might have a clue what THE ANIX are playing.

In the specific album they are influenced as it seems by the ‘Lost Boys’ and ‘The Crow’. Given the fact that the former is a shitty movie while the latter is sympathetic but overrated it is striking how the band managed not to sink. The problem is that the band doesn’t shine either. Admittedly the songs have energy, Brandon’s vocals are distinctive and Nabours’ keyboards could be a school in themselves for many bands yet somehow the band doesn’t manage to stand in its heights. The feeling is that they struggle way too much with their influences and they don’t allow much space for improvisation and organised craziness, aspects which have to do with creativity and originality. ‘Enemy Eyes’ along with ‘Glass (Tommie Sunshine remix)’ are the most probable hits of the album. And the truth is that the second CD is way better than the first one.

The remixes either done by Manuel Munz aka Mozart (UMBRA ET IMAGO) or POWERMAN and the rest of the artists give an almost twisted breath to the songs which varies between a more dance music and a lightweight Gothic rock which is a guilt-free pleasure to listen to. As for the first CD the band stays halfway. As it was mentioned ‘Enemy Eyes’ opens wonderfully the CD offering clues of what the band is (or will be) capable of achieving. ‘Warning Signs’ is a melodic gothic rock song MUSE-like and catchy to say the least. ‘Cry Little Sister’ carries something nostalgic as the intro reminds bits of DURAN DURAN and THE CULT which offer upbeat coolness to the song. To cut my long speech short the CD especially from ‘In The End’ and afterwards shows this lack of energy something which peaks during ‘In The Dark’ where the Grunge elements actually act as vampires running dry the whole song.

At the end, this release offers a quite unequal atmosphere which at its positive side shows that the band has great potentials. At its negative one it looks like Gothic rock made by civil servants waiting in the queue of a bus stop.


Tracklist

CD1
01. Enemy Eyes
02. Warning Signs
03. Cry Little Sister (Lost Boys Theme)
04. Take My Future
05. Sleepwalker
06. Glass
07. Resident One
08. In The End
09. Endlessly
10. Long Way Out
11. In The Dark
12. The Passenger

CD2
01. Burn (Cure cover from The Crow soundtrack)
02. Glass (Tommie Sunshine Remix)
03. Enemies Eyes (Powerman 5000 Remix)
04. Long Way Out (Mozart Remix)
05. Resident One (Mozart Remix)
06. Sleepwalker (Invader! Remix)
07. Glass (Psychopomps Remix)
08. In The Dark (Angelspit Remix)
09. Cry Little Sister (Mozart Remix)


Line-up

Brandon Smith – Vocals, guitar
Logan Smith – Drums
Greg Nabours – Keyboards (on album, left the band by now)
Chris Dinger - Guitar


Websites

http://theanix.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/theanix


Cover Picture

anix sleepwalker


Rating

Music: 6
Sound: 8
Total: 7 / 10


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