Anchor Lane – “Call This A Reality?” Album Review by Graham Finney
In the two and bit years which have passed since Glaswegian-based outfit Anchor Lane released their debut album, “Casino”, the band have made sure not to go unnoticed. Well-received sets at some of the high-profile festivals and a relentless gigging schedule which has seen them tour with everyone from Eagles of Death Metal to Cheap Trick has brought us to this point and that all important second album, “Call This A Reality?”
Now, as opener “Stutter” whips this album into life, it’s clear from the swagger and stomp utilised by the band that they’ve been picking up a few tips along the way. The opener is a huge-sounding, anthemic number with a catchy chorus and the kind of swagger that will get you noticed every time you walk into a room. The album continues with the dramatic “Ministry” where the evolution really starts to shine through. From their humble alt-rock beginnings, the last two years have seen the band grow into a sound that begs for a massive live show.
The title-track is next up smashing you in the face with a Royal Blood style guitar sound. Grinding away underneath frontman Conor Gaffney’s emotion-packed vocals, three songs into the album and a darker side to Anchor Lane’s sound is starting to seep through. That dark emotion bubbles away through the broody “Nitroglycerin” and, continues through “I’ve Been Waiting”, albeit alongside the bouncy melodies, and Gaffney’s anthemic vocals.
In parts “Call This A Reality?” picks up where its predecessor left off. The Glaswegian band playing to their strengths which is edgy, gritty modern rock. However, the band have clearly taken plenty on board over the past two years and, while the heartbeat of this new record is still edgy, gritty modern rock, listen to tracks like the title track, everything just feels bigger and edgier and darker.
“Choke” is the perfect example of this more amped-up version of Anchor Lane. Just over two hundred seconds of riff-soaked, adrenaline-fuelled energy, that sum up the attitude of this record perfectly. The Glasgwegians maintain that level through “Electric Karma” before they drop the stunning “Bitter” a track which effortlessly displays the darker, moodier, more layered side of their sound.
Wrapping up this stunning effort, the band power over the finish line with “I Don’t Have Another Soul To Pour”, rinsing through one last assault of emotion and sweat-drenched guitars. It’s a flawless finale to a xrecord which, from start to finish, has been a relentless display of dark-centred modern rock and in-your-face Glaswegian grit.
Anchor Lane tour the UK in February. Get all the dates and ticket info from here.
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