Review: Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts - ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’

Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts – Nowhere To Go But Everywhere

We have a second album from Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts after their successful debut album won an Album of the Year award at the Independent Music Awards. I think it’s fair to say they are cranking out some great music. The album is musically rich with great collaboration between all the elements. The band does not shy away from simplifying the sound, they use great rock ballad sounding guitar, clever lyrics, acoustic sounds, backup vocals with catchy Na Na Na’s and beats that enchant without overpowering the song.

The album opens with “Only a Dream”, a mellow song to open the album with an uplifting and mellow rock song. Next we get to hear “Oh No” (feat. Kay Hanley of Letters to Clio) which is a very fun song that has many references to many of the greats from all eras proclaiming “Don’t change my rock n’ roll!” Listening to this fast paced song is a real good time listening and trying to catch all the references from Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, Oasis and many many more!

Some things just weren’t meant to last! In “Jesus & John Lennon” we see Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts get snarky over breakups and move on gracefully. The lyrics and the references made in this song are quite funny! Next we hear “Out of My League” which is a quick and funny song poking fun at himself and relishing in the wonder of what I imagine is the singer’s beautiful wife. Men take heed, just about every woman wants to be adored this way.

“Let’s Go Slow” has great instrumentals that change up the tone from the last couple of songs. This is not the strongest song on the record but, it is still well worth your listen. It is a well done song. Can I Get an Amen reminds me of a modern day “monster ballad” which is nostalgic and relevant to modern times in a cohesive way.

“Don’t Fall Apart” is a song that sounds like a triple A hit to me! “Newcastle Charm” is a cute and fun song appreciating the nontraditional women in our lives.

‘Southern Accents’ is the first sad song on the record. This song is mellow and heart-felt. It was a good place to add the slow down and nice to see more of the range. “We Gave It Hell” follows and is another sad song wrapped in positivity. The album concludes with “Pick Yourself Up” which is a great way to conclude this collection of songs, especially after “Southern Accents” and “We Gave It Hell” just took us on an emotional journey and we have gradually built up into more positivity.

Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts are building upon their recent win and showing growth with “Nowhere To Go But Here” and I implore you to give it a good few spins to start. The album in its entirety is likely to put you in a good mood!

-Jessica Frey

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Track list – Nowhere To Go But Everywhere

Only a Dream

Oh No (feat. Kay Hanley)

Jesus & John Lennon

Out of My League