Annie Album: “Anniemal [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

Leave it to Scandinavia to come up with the most innovative music on earth. First and foremost, no one can deny the impact of Bjork, who hails from Iceland. Then you get Sigur Ros, with their unique blast of a sound. Then you get the breezy sounds of Royksopp, who have worked on a couple of tracks with Norwegian prodigy-child Annie.

With a distinct ear for dance music, an expertise in electronica and the uncanny attempt at experimentalism, Annie unleashes Anniemal to receive a reaction from an industry that is unlikely to praise any music that makes the feet move.

On the other hand Annie did receive dance floor acclaim with her first single which has been on circulated in vinyl since 1999. "Greatest Hit" is a brisk dance track that samples a loop from Madonna's first ill-fated single "Everybody."

Other than that the other tracks have only been available recently, like "Chewing Gum," which is so intentionally cheesy it becomes a work of kitsch.

Other sounds are incorporated into the fusion of this album and give an electro-lush feel. "Always Too Late" caters to R&B fans and "Come Together" is an eight minute long pure disco ditty.

Shakatak tribute "No Easy Love" is both a chill and groove-by track. Then there are the straight-up loud lounge songs like "Me Plus One" and the gorgeous "Anniemal." But the highlight of the album is the haunting backdrop, yet dance-ridden "My Heartbeat," which is definitely a hit waiting to happen.

Other pieces blend dance music from across the pop culture plane. The Telepopmusik cross with 90's drums, "Happy Without You," explains the fusion of this album, while "Helpless Fool For Love" sounds like a mashup between Fashion TV compilations and Donna Summer's monumental "Love To Love You Baby."

Annie is definitely on her way in the music world, ff not for global success, then a club favorite. Anniemal is a giddy ride into the fusion of all dance music from disco to electronica to break-beat.

Anniemal is an unqualified masterpiece that fell into my i-Pod due to a brief review in Mojo magazine. Once it's been inside your head and left, a dull ache spreads from the brainstem downward to every extremity, until your finger taps "replay." This is the kind of LP you listen to 100 times in the first three days, and then 150 times each day beyond that, until you finally melt back into your armchair and grow embittered over having to wait for her next album to fall like manna from the clouds. I am 38 years old, but I wrote her a letter of thanks after hearing "Heartbeat." Buy this, borrow it, or steal it.

I love amazon.com, but I would recommend purchasing these "imports" via iTunes or some online music store. This album, for example, is only(...) through iTunes.

Aside from the inflated import price, this is a great album!

Hailing from Norway, not far from pop capital of the world Sweden (ABBA, Ace of Base, et al.), Annie's debut record "Anniemal" is a sweeping, dizzying, & sexy trip. It seemed though that this record was more of a critical darling than a commercial one, which is a shame, since this was one of the better pop records I've heard in recent memory.

Annie sets up shop as the charming Euro-girl next door, placing herself in unique, tried & true (yet never stale) pop arrangements. Richard X produces some of the record, as well as her deceased boyfriend Erot, amongst others. The sounds literally "pop" ("Me Plus One"), chug charmingly along ("No Easy Love", "Always Too Late") or simply just charm with a dilly sense of humor ("Anniemal").

Annie's voice evokes latter-day "Fever" era Kylie Minogue, with early trashy/sensual Madonna undertones on two of best cuts: "Chewing Gum" & "The Greatest Hit". The first, lyrically is rather clever, as she uses the analogy of gum to describe men who are merely stops along the way, & not the mainstay "chocolate" she is looking for. Annie's posturing bravado, yet unassuming sounding voice (cue Kylie reference I made earlier) makes this song a surefire winner. It comes off as intelligent & camp, not moronic unlike another obnoxious "pop" singer (Fergie). The latter, "The Greatest Hit" brings in the Madonna not just in tone vocally, but musically. This cut samples Madonna's first single "Everybody" to great effect. Sly, sensual, & with a wink of smuttiness politely tucked away underneath the lyrics, this is probably the best song on the record. Did I mention how she uses handclaps & tongue clicking together on this cut, you have to hear it to believe it.

Lastly, Annie brings some late 1970's disco-toned pop on "Heartbeat" & "Come Together" respectively, the latter winning the price for bringing this across in it's epic scope.

Overall, Annie brings the fun & the coyness, without sounding stupid, or tired. One can only hope for an IMMEDIATE follow-up that has the same similar quality, but with the added push of promotion to show these other pop-wannabe-tarts how to do it right. Highly recommended.

Is it possible to make a good record when you have a weak voice? Annie proves it is. Her album is a nice collection of well-crafted pop, you can play, when you're tired of pretentious, quasi-intelectual songs. "Anniemal" is all about fun - all the way through. Nothing is pushed or forced here. What makes this cd stand out from all the other bubble-gum pop offerings, is the fact that under the surface of bland simplicity, there's something really addictive - shiny sonic details that stick in your head. Annie's music is unengaging enough to make a pleasant background, yet original enough not to get tired and old quickly. Simply attractive pop product - tastes like good pop-corn.