For the last two years, I have heard raves about The Anniversary. Upon the release of the Kansas quintet’s new LP, Your Majesty, I decided to find out what all the fuss was about. So, for the last week, I listened to the band’s easy-to-swallow mix of emo, pop, and new wave. Their first album was indeed a notable debut, but Majesty definitely deserves the scepter.
The band has dropped their dependence on Moog synthesizers, discovered the acoustic guitar, and have improved their eclecticism. Where their debut suffered from its top-heavy arrangements and musical uniformity, Majesty is rock solid all the way through. From the Weezer-esque opener “Sweet Marie” to the near prog “Husam Husam,” The Anniversary show increasing depth and a flare for the experimental that most emo bands neglect. The catharsis of the album lies in the aptly titled tracks “The Death of the King” and “Follow the Sun,” which juxtapose grunge with a choral flourish, bringing the effort to its triumphant conclusion.
Archived article by Nikhil Swaminathan