ChicoLivesOn
07/23/08, 07:23 AM
The Amber Crisis - ...To Stand the Test of Time
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 22, 2008
There are so many bands out there these days, it's hard to keep track. It seems almost as if a new band is in front of our nose every time we turn the corner. The things is, it's a shame so many bands are over-looked and never make their way off the ground. They are simply bound to their surrounding scene and never get "that chance."
I am frequently searching for new bands through any outlet I can. I listen carefully and stop whenever something interesting catches my attention. I just so happened to stumble upon a local Connecticut band by the name of The Amber Crisis.
Upon first glance, the five-piece seems to be nothing out of the ordinary. However, upon closer examination, there is much more to this band than meets the ear. I came across their Myspace, clad with five fresh tracks off their recent release, ...To Stand The Test Of Time, I started to research the band, and their origins came alive to me. I eventually headed over to iTunes to purchase their album.
I was immediately impressed with the flow of the LP from start to finish. Fittingly, the CD begins with a grandfather clock, in an intro track titled, "Time," which sets the mood and proves to be the calm before the storm, leading into the second song. The Bayside-esque anthem, "Tragic Flaw Of The Epic Hero" follows the subtle introduction with slick guitar riffs and sing-along melodies; the chorus alone with have you singing in the shower. The lyrics seem to reflect the vocalists refusal to conform and the drumming is done with much efficiency and energy, adding to the overall vibe. The song makes way for "The Dark Side Of Ambition," a dance-worthy song about pirates. The opening guitar parts are complicated enough to beg the question, "what are they playing?" yet simple enough to get stuck in your head. The track closes with a soft, melodic breakdown, set apart from the common definition of "breakdown."
What ensues is the third track, "Ruby Pier," a catchy love song that showcases the group's pop/pop-rock influences. The musicianship here is crafted beautifully and the guitars blend with one another and the lyrics. Look for the lead guitar in this song - it crafts itself and grows on the listener with skill, especially in the solo. "Ruby Pier" is definitely a song that will follow you to work and be in your head all day.
"A Far Cry From Brilliant" is possibly the most experimental track on the disc, opening with ambient guitars, broadcasting an excellent tone and digital delay, with a fantastic-sounding snare drum accompanying. More so, the drums as a whole sound very fitting to the record, and the song has an ear-catching chorus ("it's not the first") that flows into bass-driven verses. Possibly the highlight of the tune is the ending "breakdown," where there is a brief build-up, leading into a hardcore influenced section suitable for moshing.
But it's not all about hardcore breakdowns with this record: "A Far Cry From Brilliant" fades into a beautiful acoustic journey, "The Future." The beginning showcases the guitar craftsmanship and enters the verses with great ease, and the lyrics here should not be forgotten; they speak to the listener in a greater-understanding. The chorus proclaims, "If they say nothing gold can stay / Then why not paint it up with silver paint?" As a whole, this track is home to wonderful musicianship.
Next comes what may be the heaviest song on the album. "Bandaids On Bulletwounds" kicks off with a signature drum beat, leading into its powerhouse intro. The guitars here are excellent with the lead lending itself perfectly to complement the rhythm guitar parts. As the verse progresses, one can't help but sing along with the words and move to the galloping guitars. The song truly shines during the extremely catchy gang-vocal chorus, and later in its bridge. The band shows their true colors once again with a powerful breakdown that will get you on your feet. There is even a piano part in addition at the closing, which brings a nice touch to the finale.
Many bands strike gold with a piece of music and never really come to terms with it. It is clear that with the track, "The Easiest Way Down," The Amber Crisis has hit material on their hands. The lead guitar drives itself with precise direction and accuracy, sticking in the mind. The verses are simple and potent, making way for the catchiest chorus on the album. The track is memorable and fast-paced, enough to get your attention. "Counterclockwise" also has hit written all over it, fading in to the sound of a radio tuner. The band makes their pop-punk roots clear in this tune, as "Counterclockwise" is a sing-songy arrangement of catchy verses and choruses. You'll be sure to clap your hands on this one, especially during the introduction, and the lyrics definitely speak to the listener as an outlet of nostalgia.
While ...To Stand The Test of Time starts with a bang, it ends on a high note as well. The acoustic pop-punk melody of "Keep Your Friends Close..." takes us down the roads of nostalgia, with plenty of hooks and well-worked guitar parts and lyrics. In the closing tracks, the band shines to its ultimate potential, although "Alter Ego" begins with clean guitars and a beautiful melody, don't be fooled: the final piece to the album has an outstanding build, proving to be a fitting closer for the disc. After multiple listens, I gathered that the song is a "story" and putting the pieces together, I came to the conclusion of an underlying concept to the album. The music takes us through a web of a storyline with climbing guitar parts, drum beats and vocals. We are introduced to extremely catchy chord progressions and vocals, and lyrics here are at their finest. The track closes just as it began, having mounted well-deserved suspension.
When it all comes down to it, The Amber Crisis is a local band that should be given a chance beyond a listen or two and ...To Stand The Test of Time is worth every penny.
Saosin, New Found Glory, Bayside, My American Heart, Story of the Year, Anberlin, Roses Are Red, The Starting Line, Halifax
myspace.com/theambercrisis (http://www.myspace.com/theambercrisis)
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 22, 2008
There are so many bands out there these days, it's hard to keep track. It seems almost as if a new band is in front of our nose every time we turn the corner. The things is, it's a shame so many bands are over-looked and never make their way off the ground. They are simply bound to their surrounding scene and never get "that chance."
I am frequently searching for new bands through any outlet I can. I listen carefully and stop whenever something interesting catches my attention. I just so happened to stumble upon a local Connecticut band by the name of The Amber Crisis.
Upon first glance, the five-piece seems to be nothing out of the ordinary. However, upon closer examination, there is much more to this band than meets the ear. I came across their Myspace, clad with five fresh tracks off their recent release, ...To Stand The Test Of Time, I started to research the band, and their origins came alive to me. I eventually headed over to iTunes to purchase their album.
I was immediately impressed with the flow of the LP from start to finish. Fittingly, the CD begins with a grandfather clock, in an intro track titled, "Time," which sets the mood and proves to be the calm before the storm, leading into the second song. The Bayside-esque anthem, "Tragic Flaw Of The Epic Hero" follows the subtle introduction with slick guitar riffs and sing-along melodies; the chorus alone with have you singing in the shower. The lyrics seem to reflect the vocalists refusal to conform and the drumming is done with much efficiency and energy, adding to the overall vibe. The song makes way for "The Dark Side Of Ambition," a dance-worthy song about pirates. The opening guitar parts are complicated enough to beg the question, "what are they playing?" yet simple enough to get stuck in your head. The track closes with a soft, melodic breakdown, set apart from the common definition of "breakdown."
What ensues is the third track, "Ruby Pier," a catchy love song that showcases the group's pop/pop-rock influences. The musicianship here is crafted beautifully and the guitars blend with one another and the lyrics. Look for the lead guitar in this song - it crafts itself and grows on the listener with skill, especially in the solo. "Ruby Pier" is definitely a song that will follow you to work and be in your head all day.
"A Far Cry From Brilliant" is possibly the most experimental track on the disc, opening with ambient guitars, broadcasting an excellent tone and digital delay, with a fantastic-sounding snare drum accompanying. More so, the drums as a whole sound very fitting to the record, and the song has an ear-catching chorus ("it's not the first") that flows into bass-driven verses. Possibly the highlight of the tune is the ending "breakdown," where there is a brief build-up, leading into a hardcore influenced section suitable for moshing.
But it's not all about hardcore breakdowns with this record: "A Far Cry From Brilliant" fades into a beautiful acoustic journey, "The Future." The beginning showcases the guitar craftsmanship and enters the verses with great ease, and the lyrics here should not be forgotten; they speak to the listener in a greater-understanding. The chorus proclaims, "If they say nothing gold can stay / Then why not paint it up with silver paint?" As a whole, this track is home to wonderful musicianship.
Next comes what may be the heaviest song on the album. "Bandaids On Bulletwounds" kicks off with a signature drum beat, leading into its powerhouse intro. The guitars here are excellent with the lead lending itself perfectly to complement the rhythm guitar parts. As the verse progresses, one can't help but sing along with the words and move to the galloping guitars. The song truly shines during the extremely catchy gang-vocal chorus, and later in its bridge. The band shows their true colors once again with a powerful breakdown that will get you on your feet. There is even a piano part in addition at the closing, which brings a nice touch to the finale.
Many bands strike gold with a piece of music and never really come to terms with it. It is clear that with the track, "The Easiest Way Down," The Amber Crisis has hit material on their hands. The lead guitar drives itself with precise direction and accuracy, sticking in the mind. The verses are simple and potent, making way for the catchiest chorus on the album. The track is memorable and fast-paced, enough to get your attention. "Counterclockwise" also has hit written all over it, fading in to the sound of a radio tuner. The band makes their pop-punk roots clear in this tune, as "Counterclockwise" is a sing-songy arrangement of catchy verses and choruses. You'll be sure to clap your hands on this one, especially during the introduction, and the lyrics definitely speak to the listener as an outlet of nostalgia.
While ...To Stand The Test of Time starts with a bang, it ends on a high note as well. The acoustic pop-punk melody of "Keep Your Friends Close..." takes us down the roads of nostalgia, with plenty of hooks and well-worked guitar parts and lyrics. In the closing tracks, the band shines to its ultimate potential, although "Alter Ego" begins with clean guitars and a beautiful melody, don't be fooled: the final piece to the album has an outstanding build, proving to be a fitting closer for the disc. After multiple listens, I gathered that the song is a "story" and putting the pieces together, I came to the conclusion of an underlying concept to the album. The music takes us through a web of a storyline with climbing guitar parts, drum beats and vocals. We are introduced to extremely catchy chord progressions and vocals, and lyrics here are at their finest. The track closes just as it began, having mounted well-deserved suspension.
When it all comes down to it, The Amber Crisis is a local band that should be given a chance beyond a listen or two and ...To Stand The Test of Time is worth every penny.
Saosin, New Found Glory, Bayside, My American Heart, Story of the Year, Anberlin, Roses Are Red, The Starting Line, Halifax
myspace.com/theambercrisis (http://www.myspace.com/theambercrisis)