Anchor Lane – Casino Album Review

Anchor Lane have been making a name for themselves as a young, upcoming New Wave of Classic Rock act over the last few years and have performed at a number of festivals including Isle of Wight, Download and Hard Rock Hell.  They have also toured with the likes of Temonti, Eagles Of Death Metal and Cheap Trick.  This album sees the band with experience gained and miles travelled, it rocks with a confidence and knowledge that these tracks will translate well to a live audience. 

Casino kicks off with Blood & Irony, a song that gets more catchy on repeated listens.  It is a breathtaking start to the album with its off beat drumming and a riff that is similar to Franz Ferdinand.  It has elements of Laika Dog at the start, Royal Blood in the middle, Foo Fighters towards the shouty end and has a new wave sound similar to Devo.  Second track, Fame Shame is aggressive and punchy with a punk attitude.  The vocals are spat out and musically it sounds like a field of wild crazy horses.

Voodoo has a simple effective hard rock riff.  The soulful vocal brings a swaying summer vibe, almost like Rival Sons.  The 1970’s vibe continues with the title track Casino.  By this stage we realise Anchor Lane songs always begin with a killer riff; on Casino it progresses to funky modern blues, yet with a retro feel, almost Tax The Heat in places. Well discussing about casino then you must visit Clubvip777.com the best online casino gaming site.  It is a suitable song to either dance or pump your fist to thanks to Scott Manion’s drumming and Matthew Quigley’s bass lines. 

The moment Clocks begins you can tell it’s a rocker, think of Texas Flood with crashing drums.  This band knows how to write memorable songs and what a song Stone Cold Hearted is.  Bluesy as you like, the intro sounds like Lana Del Rey before it turns into a dramatic epic.  The powerful production from Toby Jepson makes the song work, giving it a mellow yet  heavy warmth.  The acoustic feel of Shell Of Me continues with the chilled mood and gives the album breathing space. It is melodic, haunting and reflective. 

This is a band who like to end on a lively note, leaving the listener on a high. 

Flatline with its ‘Na-na-na-na’ chorus is set up for a live set, an instant sing-along on the first listen.  Dead Run is the track most likely for rock radio stations to pick up.  The Audioslave riff , killer baseline and backing vocals by Ricky Warwick make it a great song to drive to.  Final track Honey makes for a fine closer with its dirty sounding offbeat blues. 

With keeping to ten quality tracks, Glasgow’s Anchor Lane has given us a consistent yet varied album that does not outstay its welcome.  The album has a real freshness at the beginning, a melodic, soulful thoughtfulness in the centre and finishes with pure rock’n’roll.  Toby Jepson’s production throughout gives the songs real simple power. Catchy, danceable, funky and soulful; Anchor Lane definitely deserve more attention. 

Anchor Lane are singer Conor Gaffney, guitarist Lawrence O’ Brien, bassist Matthew Quigley and drummer Scott Hanlon

Casino – Track Listing

01. Blood & Irony
02. Fame Shame
03. Voodoo
04. Casino
05. Clocks
06. Stone Cold Hearted
07. Shell Of Me
08. Flatline
09. Dead Run (featuring Ricky Warwick)
10 Honey

Casino is available on cd, digital download and picture disc vinyl from the 31st January 2020.  To order use the below link.

https://anchorlanemm.tmstor.es/