Secret Annexe, What Is It About This Place?

Is it possible at this point to create a new form of pop-rock that is more serious than the norm, maybe even adult? With its debut album What Is It About This Place?, Secret Annexe makes a valiant effort but don’t quite hit the mark. Using viola, piano, and guitar, this six-piece band from Baton Rouge tries to imitate Bob Dylan’s Desire but falls short. At times the viola overpowers the vocals, in particular, which is quite sad considering that Rob Mulhearn’s voice is reminiscent of Lou Reed’s.

Overall, What Is It About This Place? is just another pop-rock album trying to be something more, but it’s evident through their songs “A Way to be Sure,” “The Fatal Glory of Steamboat Racing,” and “I Can Hide” that the members of Secret Annexe are well on their way to musical maturity.