Bess Rogers’ Anchor – A Raw, Unfiltered Punch to the Gut (In a Good Way)
Let’s cut the crap. Bess Rogers’ 2011 album Anchor isn’t just another indie rock/pop/folk mashup that blends into the background of your coffee shop playlist. Nope. This sucker grabs you by the collar and demands attention. Released under Hubbub!, it’s got grit, heart, and enough raw emotion to make you wanna scream—or cry—depending on your mood.
First off, let’s talk about “In My Life.” Holy hell, this track hits hard. It’s not some sappy love song; it’s real, messy, and kinda pissed-off in all the right ways. The lyrics? Sharp as a knife. Rogers doesn’t sugarcoat anything here—she lays it all out, bare and unapologetic. You can practically feel her frustration vibrating through the speakers. That chorus? Damn near unforgettable. It sticks to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk.
Then there’s the title track, “Anchor.” If you don’t get chills during this one, check your pulse—you might be dead. It starts soft, almost hesitant, but builds into this massive wave of sound that crashes over you. The vocals are raw, like she’s holding nothing back, and the instrumentation has this driving force that feels like it’s pulling you forward whether you want to go or not. By the end, you’re left breathless, wondering what just hit you.
Here’s the thing: Anchor doesn’t try to be perfect. There are rough edges, moments where it feels like it could fall apart—and maybe that’s why it works so damn well. It’s human. Flawed. Real. Indie rock meets indie pop with a folk twist, but none of those labels fully capture the chaos and beauty of this record.
So yeah, I’ll say it: Anchor punches above its weight. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re tired of polished, cookie-cutter albums that sound like they were made by robots, this is the antidote.
Oh, and here’s the kicker—listening to this album makes me wanna call my ex. Not to beg them back, but to tell them they missed out. How messed up is that?
