Album Review: Anywhere — Anywhere II
Anywhere is an aggregation of indie/underground artists who collectively make a psychedelic folk sound. But Anywhere doesn’t sound like acid-folk, though: there’s a solid rock foundation to the group’s music. A swirling feel that conjures memories of the Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” characterizes songs like “Bone Flute Blues.”
On II, Anywhere conjures a soaring, surprisingly accessible sonic stew. The group – a rotating cast that includes Mike Watt – hasn’t been terribly prolific, and some of Anywhere’s releases have been in connection with Record Store Day. The group’s second full-length is just such an item. Fans of Black Angels (to name just one touchstone) will find II pleasantly warm and welcoming; Anywhere combines the gentleness and texture of Fleet Foxes (without that group’s mannered vocal approach) with a hypnotic instrumental approach that at times recalls mid-period Led Zeppelin.
The vinyl for this RSD release is a translucent pale blue, and the cover art – front and back – is simply stunning in his vividness and eye-popping high resolution.
This review is part of a week-long series covering new vinyl releases and/or reissues, including titles scheduled for special release on Record Store Day 2018, this coming Saturday (April 21). Please support your local independent record store.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.