Your Majesty

(Vagrant)

Vagrant Records just keeps finding new talent to produce quality and original music that appeals to a somewhat invisible crowd of youths that don't want the traditional bubblegum pop to rule the charts. These kids want something more personal and real for their own lives to relate to, instead of beautiful faces and empty lyrics. On the list of expanding artists is The Anniversary, which makes music that is beautiful and full of harmony.

Your Majesty is a bit of a surprise resulting from the group's change in direction from the moog keyboard-heavy songs on their previous album. But the group makes up for the missing melody by having a variety of backing vocals, which make the album flow smooth from beginning to end. Although the high-end keyboards are very obviously missing, the clean sound of a piano is a nice touch to even out the sound.

True fans of The Anniversary will realize that this album is a more mature version of the band, which has turned out to be quite surprising. The group does at times sound like The Rentals (formed by ex-Weezer bassist Matt Sharp) but has seemed to, as a group, find the sound it has collectively been looking for.

If you happen to be looking for something to clear your mind with, this is a great way to relax. It works for getting away from the Billboard-topping major label releases that everyone "must" own. Buy a record from a band that is just happy to play music and be heard. Isn't that what music is really supposed to be about?