I don’t know how the rest of you review an album. Maybe you listen while smoking a hookah, maybe you listen once and develop your impressions immediately, maybe you give it the 30 seconds per song treatment. We should compare notes.
When I decide to review, I listen to the album several times. First in the studio, then in the truck’s (F-150, go Ford) mediocre CD player, and then on a really crappy Sony Walkman. Meanwhile I research the artist, listen to their other music, perhaps send an email for more information. Then I sit down in the studio, put on my headphones and immerse myself in their music…and write my thoughts.
Amity in Fame’s 2011 release THROUGH got stuck in my headphones for a long time. Then they got stuck in my truck, then in my Walkman. They just refused to leave my ears no matter where I placed them. I never thought once to write a review. Some music is like that- before you realize it, you are hooked and the music greets you like an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Yes, I think I will listen to Amity again today. Yes, I think I will put Shut Up and Goodnight on my mix list….again.
Tonight as I was preparing to review another band, I scrolled through my emusic folder…hey, Amity starts with an A and that is really unfair because, well…they kind of get noticed first…and then I click on their first track Goodnight and Shut Up and here comes that greatness again…Amity in Fame playing FTW.
But are they Progressive? Alternate? Experimental? They describe themselves as “Acoustic Powerful Rock”. At Jamendo, where they have over 20,000 downloads, they won two awards- one for Rock and one for Experimental. Oh what a dilemna- music so powerful, music that jams so fine, gravel-voiced vocalist adding all that sweet depth, anguished guitar solos, and that fucking acoustic guitar slamming through each song- and NO PIGEONHOLE to stuff them into so we can all take a deep breath and…there, that’s done: Amity in Fame are Progressively Experimentalish Acoustical Power Rockers. Whew.
Listen to The Kraken and there is POWERFUL Acoustic Rock all over it and it is phenomenal: ELO would be proud. Listen to Mirrordrops and there is no doubt -pure experimental rock and so addicting too. And they are just so fucking excellent that I am worried about them. Yes, I am worried about them.
- They could easily be commercialized by Corporate Radio, their music compromised and next thing you know, they’re Nickelback. The influences are there, folks. This album could be an actual crossroads for this immensely talented band. While the Radio Elite will always try to sell that sound, everyone knows one Nickelback is enough. Let’s also keep in mind that Amity in Fame is a German band. :-)
- They are going to have a hard time topping this album.
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Band members: Michael Bichler – vocals Filip Hörschläger – guitar / vocals Roman Mayrhofer – bass Wilfried Wöss – drums Alex Zaus – keys
Judith Schweder – guest vocals (studio+live) Nadine Fambach – guest vocals (live)
Through Tracklist:
1) Good Night And Shut Up 2) When It Comes To The End 3) Shine 4) Saint 5) Cyranoia 6) Mirrordrops 7) The Kraken 8) Through 9) Burning The Witch 10) The Villain 11) World Is In
wow, Rick! this review absolutely blew me away. pretty much my favourite so far
thank you!
This may be the best blog for anyone who wants to know about this subject. (I dont think so, Jackson) You know so considerably its almost tough to argue with you (It’s easy to argue with me, you should try it sometime.) You surely put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. (I grew up in a laundromat. Putting spins on is second nature. I like those vests you are hawking. I could put a spin on those too.) Fantastic stuff, just fantastic! (thank you, thank you very much. BTW, my spamolater popped you out for review. Are you spam? Lovely spammm wonderful spammmm)