Reviewed by Paul Poulton

This album was released in 2006 to some acclaim by the Cross Rhythms reviewer. When I first heard The Anselm two years ago, it wasn't immediately apparent to me why that should be, therefore I will don my deerstalker and call on my friend, the good Dr Watson, to research the case file to try and nail down why I reacted so. The three friends from Northern Ireland, Gareth Andrews, Richard Hutchinson and Stephen McCabe, lay down textures and acoustic/electric layers with some thoughtful ideas using sonic vignettes as a border. This could be a sign: the songs seem to remain ideas and never appear to nudge past the "idea" stage. Looseness can be attractive: there's engaging bagginess, Meg and Jack White for instance, and there's slackness that leaves songs sounding like demos, 'The Anselm' (this album) drifts towards the latter category. The band are drummer-less but have used one for a number of the songs, they haven't named him in the CD notes but have left a clue (aha!) that it may be Lewis Gault who also helped produced the album. The drumming is uneven; we may not have a lot to thank the 1980s for musically, but it did introduce the advent of drum programming, which got everyone used to neat drumming, drummers everywhere had to "up their game". Dr Watson has just pointed out that the vocals are strained and pinched, well he is a doctor and more likely to see the biological elements involved, I find I must concur with his diagnosis. And while I'm in my musical detective mode the engineering is also suspect, the sound fidelity is poor. So much for the nadir, let's move on to the zenith of the album: "Let's All Be Nice Pt 2" uses programmed drums for an up-tempo groove with some swirling backing vocals, suddenly what sounds like some real drums - in time too - burst in. It's one of the ideas that work well. So the verdict: Not everyone may agree with me but I fancy my first impressions were correct.


Previously reviewed by Rick Gregory, 07-07-2006
The Anselm is a UK band of three guys who have been making music together since 1995. Recording initially off-the-cuff on basic equipment for close friends and fans, one fan then set up his own record label and his first signing was The Anselm. They call the music they make "reflective sub-rock" and the debut album contains a mixture of contemplative songwriting and evocative instrumental pieces. There is a bit of everything on this album. Starting off with the simple but effective "Son Of Man" then running smoothly through "Jehovah Shalom" and "Let's All Be Nice Pt 1" which are quite meditational. Throughout the album we're served simple but profound tracks like the acoustic number "Matchless Grace" which with a flowing melody and it's powerful lyrics really does make one reflect on the track title. The band then burst into an up beat pop style track "Heaven's Coming" which reminded me of '70s band The Undertones. The Anselm create an almost ambient techno sound on "Let's All Be Nice Pt 2" and then build upon the first half of the album with strong tracks like "Peace, Peace" and the powerful "Torture In Tranquillity" and "Righteous For The Unrighteous". They wind the album up with the excellent "I Don't Know Why" in which they point to the ultimate source of their inspiration. An interesting aid to help meditate and contemplate. The more I listened to it the more it grew on me. A very original sounding album which when given a chance will draw the listener in and take them on an interesting musical journey.
9 squares

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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