Annas Ghost formed in the wee months of 2006. Singer/guitarist/pianist Gabrielle Raymond and drummer Ian Riley began what, at the time, could be considered a soul, folk duo. The recent additions, James Hayward on electric guitar and Jake Pike on bass, have steered the act in a more indie rock direction. In the vein of Pj Harvey, Radiohead and Portishead, Annas Ghost continues to reinvent themselves and the sounds that influence them.
"With a shuffling, rambling gypsy sort of sound, Anna’s Ghost are original and interesting in the vein of Regina Spektor or the Decemberists, with a rocking Modest Mouse flavor when they feel like it.
The five songs on their EP are often dark, or at least unnerving, with Raymond leading songs like a cross between Feist and Tina Turner. Contrasted with the stark squeak of Riley’s calluses skipping up and down the acoustic guitar’s fretboard on the opening “Limbs Will Grow,” Raymond opens strong, then gets positively electric harmonizing with herself in the tune’s second half.
It’s almost a shame her vocals are distorted in “Blood on Our Hands,” but the production from Frank Hopkins jibes with the song’s mix of melancholy, fear, and regret: “The pit of my stomach tells me to freeze up/And hide in the dark.” “The Businessman” is also dark and brooding, full of found noises and left-hand piano, before it kicks in to a show-tuney narrative about one of those stereotypical money men who just doesn’t feel fulfilled. There’s “no trace of a little kid/Who loves his mother/Wanted so desperately/To be his dad.” You know, in real life, I find most of the rich businessmen I meet are pretty damn happy, really. But that doesn’t make for the best song, I’ll allow.
That darkness, however, is overshadowed by the themes in “Anna,” which seems to trace loosely the diary of Anne Frank. Raymond’s “been starving for weeks/In an attic full of creaking floor boards/A uniform hunts my dreams/and shuns me from my religion.”
Anna’s Ghost have a good feel for organizing their disc, however, and they finish on a high note. “Love (part 1)” shows them at their most versatile. Gabriel accompanies Riley’s electric guitar with a lovely accordion, aping the melody of Alphaville’s “Forever Young” and bending her voice every which way. She may be in a “roach-infested apartment,” but the crescendoing drums and backing vocals in the finish, accented with a pinch of trumpet, make the place seem pretty livable."
-Sam Pfeifle, the Portland Phoenix October 10, 2007
Annas Ghost (NEW ALBUM OUT SOON!)'s Friend Space (Top 24)
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great music. i was wondering how your voice would sound singing Alaska by the cambiata. you have such an amazing voice. and well since they are quitting i;d like to see a tribute to them and thought you'd be the perfect to do so. and i enjoy your music. -rudy-
moshin at metal thursday last night.. the back of aarons head (one of my friends)bashed into mine! .. i was drinkin enough whisky to not feel it and wanted to continue but aaron pulled me aside and noticed how much I was bleeding and I needed to get stitches! so he got me ice and him and morgan brought me to the ER. lol but it was totally an accident..aaron feels so bad he sair he will pay my co-pay. but shit happens and its perfectly like along my eyebrow line
Incredible stuff I'm hearing... Annas Ghost is a tribute to the great hidden talent in Maine. I feel like I've been missing out! Anyway, I can't say enough for this band. Hope to hear you live very soon.
Annas Ghost (NEW ALBUM OUT SOON!) Thanks for adding me, Please hit up my page and you know im on twitter now so get at me on there and add me.. http://www.twitter.com/ezsoulja
MDR is offering 8 hours of free studio time to an up and coming New England artist via Sonicbids. I wanted to give you a heads up and send you over to our posting. If you're interested, you can submit your EPK for review.
Hey thanks for checking out our music, hope you liked? Way better stuff coming real soon so we will keep you posted! Thanks for the support and spread the word to all your friends Rock on
Hey thanks a lot for stoppin' by my page! I really hope you enjoyed my music. :) If you did, it would be great if you supported me by downloading my song for FREE here:
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