Cody Fry’s The Unlikely Mariner Review: A Cinematic Symphony That Defies Genre

Well, this certainly turned my head (and my ears).  The Unlikely Mariner by Cody Fry was something I wasn’t expecting at all, by sheer dint of the fact that this kind of music does not come along every day.  It is a cinematic symphony, telling the story of loss, grief and using the extended metaphor of a voyage at sea to recount the narrator/singer’s search for peace.

Like most symphonies, The Unlikely Mariner comes in four movements.  We first have “Can You Hear It?” where the narrator feels drawn to the sea,  Making a decision to venture out on his own to escape the pain of a separation.  The second movement is “Northern Lights” where the lyrics describe a metaphorical "bridge" between two worlds that caught fire, representing a damaged relationship and the lingering pain of the aftermath.  

Third comes “Sinking” , where there is a certain resignation to fate, and he drifts, questioning why such "evil" or tragedy occurs, and finding himself holding onto "broken pieces."  Finally there is “Softly, to The Sea” where the tone shifts toward memory and acceptance. He recalls the image of his loved one - her dress stained by grass, her smile like the sun - and finds comfort in the belief that "there's no wave that can drown love."

This is very much an ensemble piece with Fry very much at the center, both singing and conducting.  It features the SONUS choir and an extensive orchestra and was recorded at Ocean Way Studios. This performance was filmed at Vū Studio, where it looks like everyone got a little wet, but the video certainly creates an immersive and atmospheric oceanic experience while leaving plenty up to our own imaginations, too.  

The video (directed by Zac Diixon) had its premier at the Belcourt Cinema in Nashville on 15 May to a rapturous reception. The commenters on YouTube seem to have jumped right on board this particular boat, too (I couldn’t resist a maritime metaphor).  Fry himself posts: “Can't believe this is actually out in the world, 10 years in the making. I have the literal best fans...how did I get so lucky?”  Fans, too, are having their say.   One quite rightly says: “The Grammys better give you the nomination and the award for this.”, while another put this out there – “Disney sleeps, Cody Fry has insomnia. Incredible.”  Indeed.

The Unlikely Mariner is ambitious, immersive and difficult to categorize. This isn’t pop, this isn’t folk and this isn’t classical music.  It’s a hybrid of all three and as such stands out as one of the best pieces of music released this year.  It defies all and any expectations, really… I’m finding it difficult to find things to compare it with except vaguely, but I could (quite lazily) say that this is Cody Fry’s Bohemian Rhapsody.  

Going even further, when I was listening to this (I watched first, then played it again without the visuals), I was struck by how reminiscent I found this of Kate Bush’s Ninth Wave (the B-Side of her Hounds of Love album), even though the only connection between the two of them is the sea. It isn’t so much that I found them similar, musically, but in the depth of the artist’s vision and the desire to present something to an audience that factors them in – and brings them in, caresses them even – while somehow transcending them entirely. So much so, that you can imagine it was written especially for you (if you see what I mean, and I’m not sure that I do).

I also love that The Unlikely Mariner is referred to as Symphony No 1, which means that we could get another (but please try and get it to us in less than ten years, this time, Mr Fry!). You may want to take time out of your day to experience The Unlikely Mariner.  It will be worth it, I can assure you.