### Agua de Annique: Air

#### 29/11/07 || Euthanatos

Maybe I shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t review this album for GD. After all, it’s not metal. But, let me remind you, before you throw your tr00 temper tantrum, that there are plenty of reviews on this website that are blatantly gay and/or not metal at all. Therefore, having always stuck with metal and its sub genres, it’s only fair that I get my chance to review something different for once.

What the hell is Agua de Annique? It’s Anneke Van Giiisrbebebrbegen’s, formerly of The Gathering, new band. Although she was the voice, and to many, the soul of The Gathering, Anneke decided to leave the outfit and pursue her own creative adventures. Naturally if you think recent The Gathering offerings sucked dick, you’re reading the wrong review here. If you, like me, thought the band kept getting better and better and actually evolving into perfection, then you might want to check out this humble opinionated piece.

“Air” is everything one could expect from the next The Gathering album, had Anneke chosen not to leave the band. The haunting, mellow atmosphere, mostly piano-driven with alternative rock guitars giving just enough weight to balance out the equation, and heavenly bliss coming from Anneke’s blessed pipes. As a matter of fact, as good as some of the material off of “Home” was, it was nowhere near an impressive album as “Souvenirs” was, with its electronic wonderland of music. “Air”, on the other hand, is every bit as good as “Souvenirs”, if not better. The sound is a lot fuller, the song writing more mature, although a lot less pretentious, and Anneke truly seems to feel at home. Ha. Did you see what I did there?

“Beautiful One”, “Witnesses”, “My Girl”, “Take Care of Me”, “Sunken Soldiers Ball” and “Ice Water” (which features an awesome duet) are all little treasures to be deeply, profoundly enjoyed while you relax in the comfort of your home, having a beer, whiskey, drugs, whatever suits you. I listen to this album when I go to sleep. Not because it’s boring, but because it is so unworldly soothing and well-crafted. And, let’s face it, I have yet to hear a more talented and charismatic singer in the rock world other than Anneke.

You go girl.

The cover: It’s a beautiful woman laughing/smiling. Now I’m not entirely sure this is Anneke. It LOOKS like Anneke and Anneke IS beautiful, but that doesn’t mean that 2+2 = 4, does it? Anyway, I think it’s her, you tell me.

9 Oprah’s in the sofas out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: Agua Recording
- Website: www.aguadeannique.com
- Band
- Anneke van Giersbergen: vocals, piano
- Joris Dirks: guitars, vocals
- Jacques de Haard: bass
- Rob Snijders: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Beautiful One
- 02. Witnesses
- 03. Yalin
- 04. Day After Yesterday
- 05. My Girl
- 06. Take Care of Me
- 07. Ice Water
- 08. You are Nice!
- 09. Trail of Grief
- 10. Come Wander With Me
- 11. Sunken Soliders Ball
- 12. Lost and Found
- 13. Asleep