The best albums are the ones that come with a story behind them. The type you can feel yourself walking in the shoes of the artist as you join them on the journey. Anna’s Anchor’s creative soul, Marty Ryan, wears his heart on his sleeve throughout his latest offering, ‘Nautical Miles’, painting a picture of the elements that went into it’s creation; the smell of the open air, the grass beneath his feet, and the longing sense of wanderlust.
Ryan found inspiration while travelling around his native home of Ireland, taking in the sights as he went, making his way to the far reaches of the Emerald Isle to play small shows and soak up the atmosphere. Add to that his numerous trips across the Irish Sea for recording sessions, it seems fitting that with so much ground covered he should name this album ‘Nautical Miles’.
Recording every instrument himself – with the exception of drum duties handled by his friend, Brian Scally – Ryan has used his skill as an accomplished musician to intricately compose each track. Channelling a combination of modern alternative rock, saccharine emo melodies, and an abundance of charm, ‘Nautical Miles’ gets it’s hooks in you from the opening chords of ‘Hampton’.
The crisp guitar sound that cruises through ‘Big State Sky’ is met by solid, rhythmic beats that are simple yet effective. It gives Ryan’s note-perfect, distinctive vocal a chance to soar. Stylistically, the up-tempo drive of ‘Signal Tower’ and ‘Everyone’s Dreaming’ are redolent of early Brand New and classic Jimmy Eat World, but carry enough weight to stand out as more than just a nostalgic homage.
The moments of heart wrenching intimacy are where Ryan’s honesty shines. The slow shimmer of ‘House Is Full’ gives way to triumphant guitar leads that provide a light to the shade of the tracks sullen verses. It’s a tactic employed for many of Anna’s Anchor tracks, but it works well particularly the anticipation that builds through the pensive narrative of ‘No Place For A Queen’, which becomes a power house at it’s cadence.
There’s something very special about ‘Nautical Miles’. The songs come to life at each turn, and the labour of love that Ryan has poured into Anna’s Anchor shines through. It’s an engaging record of escapism and honesty, looking forward more than it reflects.
GLEN BUSHELL