Anna Erhard – ‘Botanical Garden’ album review: too witty for its own good
THE SKINNY: Sometimes, what we need most is to have a bit of fun. It can be hard to process the big issues in life – from relationship fallouts and unemployment to war and political turmoil – as well as those tiny frustrations that occur day to day. For many of us, we can easily let our days be ruined by something that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t matter. However, Anna Erhard provides us with the remedy on her third record, Botanical Garden.
With each song, Erhard adds a comedic spin to an issue she is facing, whether that be a seemingly insignificant debate over whether she or her friend is taller or a problem that is indicative of a larger topic of conversation. For example, on the song ‘B.M.G Academy’, she playfully expresses her disinterest in seeing The Blue Man Group live after her friend joins the ensemble, stating that he earns more than every other musician she knows – despite the act relying on a money-making gimmick.
By taking something like her dislike of The Blue Man Group and turning it into a commentary on the difficulties that artists have in the industry to get by without effectively selling out, Erhard demonstrates her astute writing skills. These observations and irritations are predominantly shared over pulsating and complexly layered synths, giving the album a very modern feel, as though Erhard is only tuned into the here and now.
However, there are times when Erhard’s words become a little tiresome. At what point does extremely witty songwriting become a form of comedy music? Luckily, it’s not every track that contains lyrics that are outrightly ridiculous, and the textured instrumentals help to elevate the music’s artistic merit. Still, songs like ‘B.M.G. Academy’ and ‘Hot Family’ definitely sound as though they could’ve emerged from a bizarre British sketch show from the ‘90s.
You might laugh the first few times that you hear Erhard singing about her neighbour looking after her parcels or finding money in the street after a one-night stand, but after a while, they begin to lose their charm. With that being said, some people will certainly be more attuned to these kinds of droll tunes than others and find a source of joy from Erhard’s offbeat social observations. Botanical Garden contains many interesting sonic explorations and lyrics that catch you off guard, but it certainly has its challenging moments.
For fans of: Observational humour, wearing thick socks with sandals and pretending not to give a shit about things when you actually care – a lot.
A concluding comment from my housemate: “I understand her. The Blue Man Group has terrified me since childhood. I wouldn’t want to see them either.”
Botanical Garden track by track:
Release Date: September 27th | Label: Radicalis Music | Producer: Pola Roy
‘170’: Erhard has a one-sided battle about heights here, even going as far as to question the friend’s family heights and genetics – “No, you are not the same height as me,” she protests. Her pointless argument is delivered over a pulsating bassline, but we’re left wondering why the singer is so bothered about who is taller. [2.5/5]
‘Botanical Garden’: Witty and upbeat, there is something quite charming and childlike about the melody. It bobs along like a family car ride, where stupid complaints, like not being able to pick “our favourite flowers”, echo through the vehicle. Yet their insignificance quickly fades when you realise that you mustn’t take days out together for granted. [3.5/5]
‘B.M.G. Academy’: Erhard uses a mellow palette to express her frustrations with The Blue Man Group because they’re just “a few dudes banging on tubes”. The moments when the instrumentation gets a little darker and moodier create an apt atmosphere, but the song gets rather repetitive after a while. [2.5/5]
‘Spa’: Fun, squeaking sounds bounce across the soundscape as though Erhard has programmed the synths on a child’s toy. Erhard tells us how she was judged for wearing her underwear to a spa after forgetting her swimsuit; it’s a funny tale, and the instrumentals really stand out here. [3.5/5]
‘Package’: Following from ‘Spa’, the synths also sound playful and experimental, creating a dizzying atmosphere as Erhard sings about forgetting to pick up her parcel from her neighbour’s house. [3.5/5]
‘Hot Family’: Do you ever see a family that looks so perfect that you wish you could ditchy yours and join them instead? If so, Erhard has the song for you. The song features more guitars than the other tracks, sounding fuller and more appropriate for a festival set, for example. [3/5]
‘Stash’: Here, Erhard recalls the times she used to happen upon money on the streets while walking home from one-night stands, reckoning with the guilt of keeping “250 in cash” and placing a flyer in an undiscoverable location in the hopes of returning it to its owner. It’s a more relaxed moment, despite Erhard’s anxieties, that bears a country twang. [3/5]
‘Not Rick’: Starting with subdued guitars, the song kicks into gear and becomes a full-fledged indie anthem, with Erhard contemplating a tarot reading over cheery guitars and singalong melodies.[3.5/5]
‘Teeth On The King’: Bubbling with high-pitched synths over sparse drums and a prominent bassline, Erhard brings the album to a close with a more downbeat number about worrying, which finishes rather abruptly. [3/5]
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