I listened to the record Distant Satellites by Anathema many times in 2014. I also listened to 2012’s Weather Systems almost as much that year, but Distant Satellites gets the edge for most played I think. I am not sure how to describe the music Anathema makes. It is definitely progressive rock, but there is a very romantic melancholy easy listening element to it also. The music is emotional, but never saccharine. This record is similar to their others of the past 12 years or so has two lead singers Vincent Cavanagh (male perspective vocals) and Lee Douglas (female perspective vocals). The song cycle acts a sort of loosely related dialogue between the two vocalists. The pacing of the record almost borders on rock based musical theater. I don’t actually know if it a type of music that will work for all listeners, but for some reason it was a direct hit for me in 2014. I think you could listen to any of their recent work and it might evoke the same experience, but it might just be the familiar case of its what you listen to first from an artist that impacts you the most. For whatever reason like many Kscope label artists Anathema has never really caught on in the United States. It is possible the sincere emotional nature of the music doesn’t translate for the American audience. I hope they are able to continue to grow their fanbase because for a certain type of progressive rock devotee their music is wonderful.
-BeardedRiffRaff
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