Last Annual is a very new band from Chicago, featuring ex-All Else Fails vocalist Andy on drums and a bunch of relative newcomers to the scene. As of this writing they've only played a single show, which was at the Fireside Bowl with Near Miss (ex-Bigwig on Fearless), Over It (Lobster) and Don't Look Down (Iguana).
First of all I'm not the type to review demos like this but this is by far one of the most promising demos I've ever received. Last Annual is a fast melodic punk band with a sound similar to Bigwig, Good Riddance, and 88 Fingers Louie. Lots of tight guitar work and strong vocals that sound like Denis from 88 only much more on key.
The first thing that grabbed me about this band is that they DON'T sound like rookies. This is good quality music with solid musicianship that already rivals most of the other punk bands in Chicago. I really like the vocals, both lead and all the gang vocals thrown in at the perfect times. There's not much to distinguish them from your standard Fat Wreck punk bands, but that's good company to be in.
Rather than describe it any more, I'll let you check it out for yourself at http://www.mp3.com/Last_Annual.
I see a lot of potential in these guys since they're quite good already, especially the singer for whom this is his first band and if he's this good now, wait a couple years. Look at bands like Good Riddance and Thrice, their singers were this good when they started out, I think with some time and experience these guys are going to be amazing.
