By Maria Glover
This is a surprisingly fresh and catchy debut from Anchor Lane, filled with repetitive riffs and clever and meaningful songwriting. The Scottish band have been making quite a name for themselves in the new wave arena, known for their incessant touring and impressive live show. Their debut album ‘Casino’ follows their EP and is set for release this coming Friday.
An array of influences is evident, switching it up between classic, alt rock and punk, with a touch of nu metal anger shown towards the end of ‘Blood & Irony’. The rhythm section is massive, pounding bass and strong drumbeat, and the band chant lyrics and screaming guitars will suit any fan of genuine rock n roll.
‘Flatline’ demonstrates the truly velvety texture of the vocals and the punkish attitude is well received as the bassline broods and prods away at your mind, while ‘Honey’ is fuzzy and dirty, a smouldering finish to an outstanding debut album.
Stand out tracks for me are, well… most of the album to be honest… With ‘Voodoo’, the chug of the guitar leads a dark and brooding intro which builds to a simple yet addictive chorus with a soulful bluesy twang, altogether rousing and satisfying. In ‘Casino’, a deep and sultry vocal overlays lovely guitar work led by a powerful, funky groove, which builds in energy and passion, as many of the tracks tend, clearly a signature move.
‘Stone Cold Hearted’ is where it’s at! The subdued opening belies the powerhouse bluesy, riff-soaked track that quickly explodes. The tone is passionate, warm and earthy, and again the richness of the vocals is evident. ‘Shell of Me’ is mellow and, from the stripped back start, this vocals-led song is simple yet effective, the beautiful melodies and lyrics evoking emotion, and generating a renovated, reinvigorated AOR feel.
‘Dead Run’ is enough to wake up the dead; a bass so deep it’s in the soles of my feet, a beefy riff and passionate vocals, and drums to excite the pulse rate. I find myself waiting for it to ignite, to take off and fly, but it doesn’t and yet this is somehow OK and it’s just as satisfying anyway. There is an eerie and ethereal interlude and bold instrumental breaking it up at around 2 and a half minutes and by the end of the track I’m knocked out. Track of the album for me.
I’m blown away by the quality and content of this album, they have created an album that is both innovative and classic, and profoundly enjoyable. Produced by Toby Jepson and featuring Ricky Warwick, it is littered with melodies that seep into your brain and the bar is most definitely raised. Love it!
- ‘Casino’ is released on Friday (31 January). You can get your copy HERE.
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