06.

Amplifier

Echo Street

Amplifier’s worst record still comfortably makes the top 10.  The story behind Echo Street helps to understand its comparative lack of quality.  During the long and meticulous process of writing and recording the follow up to The Octopus, Amplifier decided to take a break and write and record an album, from scratch, in just a couple of weeks.  So, on-going material was shelved and new songs were recorded as they were being written; the result was Echo Street.   Given the circumstances of its creation, the album understandably sounds a little rushed at times, and the depth and general quality of Amplifier’s usual sound isn’t always present.  Considering it was produced in essentially no time at all, however, Echo Street further highlights just how awesome this band is: Amplifier’s experiment of guerrilla album-making has more quality to it than most bands could manage over a period of years.  And, when they really hit their stride – for example on the album’s best track, ‘Where the River Goes’ – Echo Street is utterly superb.  Breath is now well and truly held for Mystoria, the ‘proper’, crafted album that they’ve been working on since early 2010 and that they’ve now returned to after this enjoyable dalliance.  Expected early 2014, and expected to be right near the top of this list in 12 months’ time.

Sample track: ‘Where the River Goes’