After years of struggling with record companies UK-based alternative/progressive rock outfit Amplifier managed to find their groove again by independently releasing The Octopus. It’s their most coveted and ambitious release to date. Coming up with a suitable follow up record is a tall order at the best of times, so let’s see what Sel Balamir and his musical friends came up with this time around..
Echo Street is the name of the band’s latest album and it’s a less ambitious and dark effort. Melancholy is the main emotion and theme throughout this musical journey. The bulk of the music derives from ideas and james from Amplifier’s early days, but Echo Street doesn’t sound dated at all. In fact, the album has a timeless quality about it.
Musically Echo Street touches a wide range of different musical styles. ‘Matmos’, ‘The Wheel’ and ‘Extra Vehicular’ are drawn-out and introspective pieces that could easily been included on The Octopus. Sel Balamir’s soothing vocals and the subtle electronic layers emphasise the bittersweet and melancholic atmosphere of the album.
Fragility is the centerpiece of ‘Where The River Goes’ and ‘Paris In Spring’ and band doesn’t mind to tinker with folk elements on ‘Between Today And Yesterday’. The Grand Finale comes in the form of ‘Mary Rose’, which covers the whole range of band’s musical influences and it can be seen as the perfect summary of the riches Echo Street has to offer.
Echo Street may not cover as much new ground as its illustrious predecessor did, but it’s still a magnificent release in its own right. I wouldn’t be surprised if this album would end up in my year list.
9/10
Raymond Westland