Original: http://lonesomehighway.com/music-reviews/2018/2/20/reviews-by-paul-mcgee.html
Contemporary Folk Duo Whitherward have released four EP’s since 2014 and both Ashley E. Norton and Edward Williams are joined on this full-length debut by additional musicians, Patrick Hershey and Stephanie Groot.
The Anchor has 13 songs that are based around their perspective of touring musicians and doesn’t stray too far away from a Folk/Roots base in the arrangements. There are two tracks, Free and Interlude, that dabble in inventive jazz exploration while the remaining tracks seem to be a mix of the observed and the personal. A guest vocal on Parallel Universe (Jhan Doe), introduces a rap element into the arrangement and the excellent musicianship throughout leaves a strong sense of a band that has a real confidence and maturity.
The metaphor of ship & anchor in the title track reflects a relationship where safe harbour is in question and the unappreciated partner longs to be set free. Burn The Roses is a song of anger in the destruction of a relationship while there is a Country Noir feel to Teeth, with a late-night, lounge room dynamic.
The violin playing of Stephanie Groot is quite arresting and dramatic and elevates the production while the rich and inventive bass playing of Patrick Hershey is a joy. The guitar playing of both Norton and Williams is fluid and fluent throughout. The strings on The Night I Fell For You are mixed with restrained elegance while hiding a tale instant attraction and unrequited love. The final track, Wasteland, is one of dislocation and the loneliness of travel but ends with some studio fun and frolics as we are treated to a series of repeated vocal takes, gargling and other strange noises.
“The Anchor” is my new All-Time Favorite Album, and I am not a kid anymore. I’m a 67 year-old who grew up with The Moody Blues, The Beatles, and The Bee Gees. “The Anchor” is not just songs for me to enjoy. It is a streaming narrative that stirs my soul and pierces my innermost being. It evokes my deepest emotions and reduces me to tears and causes me to laugh with unbridled joy. As far as the musicianship and artistry? World-Class without a doubt! The important venues of America and Europe need to stand up and take notice and expose their populaces to Whitherward. You mentioned the inventive jazz of Interlude. This gives me chills every time as I hear a jousting erupting between the guitar, cello, and the violin, refereed by the glockenspiel. The guitar wins in the end by playing the final chord, thus finalizing the setting of The Anchor free. Thank you, Lonesome Highway / Paul McGee for taking the time to listen and for writing such a thoughtful review. I just discovered Whitherward last May of 2017 and personally met Ashley and Edward last September in my city of Omaha, Nebraska. Since then, we have become dear friends and I rejoice to embrace them once again in April 2018.