There isn�t a care in the world when living on your own terms is the enduring message.

Folk music meets a contemporary pop culture � indie rock. A laid-back atmosphere is the type of mood Annuals gave off with its new CD Be He Me.

The band resembles an older Death Cab for Cutie. Enchanting, easy-flowing lyrics with progressive melodies is an emo trademark. The notion Annuals sweats out is a soft-toned scenic route kind of drive on a sunny summer day, with a slight breeze.

There isnt a care in the world when living on your own terms is the enduring message. The transitions are swift and explode out of a coma-like state into a jolt of power and passion.

Instrument usage ranges from banjos to xylophones, piano/organs, many sound manipulations and programming that adds breezy effects.

Although the beginning of the album sets a pretty predominant tone and leaves a jet-setting attitude, halfway through the personality fades like a person youve dated for too long, and then you realize you are bored.

That is the feeling that takes over as the CD starts to blend in, but does form a solid universal sound, but not quite fresh enough or hot enough for these taste buds.

It is by far a worthy buy, but by the end of the album, it is as though the first song is playing on repeat. The tracks Brother and Father have a similar tune, but maybe it was intended. Family ties together and if it was intended, it is quite unique. If not, then the repetition is too much.

Annuals are a driven young band with large aspirations, yet future recordings will prove whether they can live up to this album Be He Me. The poppy upbeat tempos are drowned out in the more dawdling tracks.

The lyrics can be perverse in some sequences and random screams shake up the easy-bake oven sound. The seasoning on top is what grabs the attention of listeners.

So shake it about on Bleary-Eyed, and then relax to the following track Fair. The song order was definitely constructed to hype up the audience, then take them under to their hiding place in an octopuss garden, and then give the heart a shock to be revived from the faded endings.

Be He Me is a real pick-me-up on certain songs, but mainly an album thrown on to unwind to.

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