Anna continues the polished, anthemic vein of
the Courteeners' second album,
Falcon, but brings back some of the swagger that was missing from those songs. The album opens strong, with "Are You in Love with a Notion?" and "Lose Control" displaying plenty of energy and '80s new wave sheen. Best of all is the rolling groove of "Van Der Graaff," which, with its tough verses and vulnerable choruses, is the best balance of where
the Courteeners have been and where they want to go that the band has yet managed. "When You Want Something You Can't Have" is an undeniably pretty ballad, while pleasantly jangly numbers like "Push Yourself," "Welcome to the Rave," and "Here Come the Young Men" and the snarling "Money" round out the album. ~ Heather Phares