It’s the first night of Anchor Lane’s current tour, finally making their long-awaited Wolverhampton debut with another thrilling night of their boisterous altrock. Deep into the set comes “Sycophant Disorder” and the room is reminded that it’s set for its own release featuring fellow Glasgow-based outfit Lo Rays. And since we were offered the first listen of the track and a chance to watch the accompanying video after the show, it would be rude, if not downright morally wrong to decline the offer.
Lyrically it’s a vicious indictment on a bygone time which we all experienced, spitting venom at the hypocrisy and callousness of those in power and that remains on this version. For the most part, it’s faithful to its album rendition, the instrumentation still reflecting the original on last year’s Call This a Reality? They’ve not completely re-worked it – Lawrence O’Brien’s guitar work is effervescent with rage and whilst it may not be the most complex piece on the album, it’s as much about the notes that he doesn’t play as the ones he does. Meanwhile, Graeme Newbury’s drums pop in the mix just that bit more to add an extra sneer and Conor Gaffney’s vocals have some extra flairs on the end of notes.
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However, the big difference is, of course, Lo Rays’ Laura Takala putting in an appearance. Namely on some fresh lyrics on the second verse. Her voice is a mixture of anger and bitterness with a threatening element behind them before giving way to a scream of frustration. Elsewhere, she adds accoutrements and backing vocals to bounce of Conor’s main line.
Takala’s vocals are treated much like with her own band, straddling the line between pop and altrock and whilst there’s not much aggression to be found from her, you can tell she’s capable of it. Her addition imbues the song with extra weight and whilst it never comes into gang vocals, with her and the production, it sounds like a full-blown mob are airing their grievances.
Anchor Lane and Lo Rays have given a second life to this track. With the fresh but subtle lick of paint as well as new lyrics which slot in as an equal replacement to what was there before and Takala’s vocals, it’s familiar but something brand new altogether. And it gives people a taste of what to expect from Lo Rays at King Tut’s in a few weeks. Call This a Reality? simply wouldn’t be the album it is if this wasn’t part of it, but it would seem it’s not on the tip of people’s tongues when they discuss their favourite cuts. Hopefully, this new version gives it the attention it deserves.
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“Sycophant Disorder” is released on 31st May
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[…] It’s been quite some time since Anchor Lane headlined their hometown of Glasgow and even longer since they’ve played King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (all the way back in 2018 when they supported RavenEye for the second time) albeit they look and sound a whole lot different now with a line-up which didn’t grace the stage six years ago. But here, in front of a sold-out venue, last year’s album now firmly planted in the minds of attendees rather than barely 24 hours old, they own the room, as a hometown band should. They’ve done a wealth of touring… Read more »