A post-modern pop rock soundtrack to a night drive; big hooks, superb production, meaningful lyrics, and stellar musicianship add up to an emotionally driven masterpiece.

10 MP3 Songs
POP: Pop/Rock, ROCK: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock



Details:
For a twenty-something, Pittsburgh native, Anthony Rankin has a surprising mastery of the sound epitomized by arena mega stars of yesteryear. It is a sound and style that seems custom-made for his hook-filled arrangements, amazing musicianship and sexy, soaring voice.

With his third release âThe Distance,â he clearly has found that voice, and he wraps it passionately around ten tracks that speak of love, separation and betrayal.

The leadoff track, âUnder the Radarâ is a surefire candidate for breakout single. The Bon Jovi-esque âSmoke and Mirrorsâ describes a bitter manâs siren seduction.

The groovy tempo and delightfully retro background vocals of âWhatever It Takesâ showcase Rankinâs gift for arrangement. The dramatic and haunting âLeft to Sayâ with its catchy machine gun-style chorus may park itself in your head long after the song ends.

The sleeper favorite here could be the soulful ballad âAbandon,â an anthem for the lovelorn, and possibly that final slow song at the end of the high school dance. Warning: this track may make you weep, especially with its lamenting guitar solo ending.

Rankin displays some diversity as he explores his R&B side with âSince Youâve Been Goneâ and the slightly techno-pop âVirtual Reality.â âBroken Wingsâ has an upbeat sound and the final track, âLosing the Battleâ while another sad tale of loss, seems to carry a message of a man who is ready to move on. As he sings so encouragingly in the earlier track, âMoving Forwardâ: "Whatâs inside tomorrow that isnât there today/Believe in me and weâll find the better way."

Anthony Rankin may be that man⦠a young product destined for musical success, with the talent and ambition to go the distance.