The Amity Front Has Music Fans Running for the Border Towns
Written: Apr 06 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Pure talent exhibited time and time again.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line: The Amity Front's passion for music is real and in turn their musical end product is really good.
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| Bounty628's Full Review: Border Town - The Amity Front |
Perhaps the Violent Femmes had it right when they sang about their liking of American music. However, music critics and fans of one genre over another might disagree as to what exactly American music really is. Trying to determine what makes music fall into this seemingly broad category is perhaps no easy task. But perhaps that is the point.
Maybe American music is not supposed to fit any sort of mold. Maybe the music is supposed to simply be a pure and unadulterated sound that is easy to listen to, well performed and holds together the same values that we as a society hold. American music is music performed by musicians that want to succeed and that work hard at their job of performing quality music.
When musicians are willing to take that leap into investing all of themselves into the music that is being performed, then the by-product will then be American music. Of course throwing in some uniquely American twangs on the banjo or guitar never hurts, but just as a federal judge knows an adult film when he sees it, you too will know American music when you hear it.
Thanks to The Amity Front's latest release, Border Towns , one need not look any further to obtain their fill of quality music performed within the broad genre of Americana. The music of The Amity Front is pure and fresh and the production of their albums are always second to none. What this band has been able to accomplish has been nothing short of remarkable and should they wish to continue to succeed at such a fast paced they need not alter their position of releasing quality albums and they can rest assured that the success will continue to greet them at every corner.
With a home base in the music hotspot of Northampton, Massachusetts, The Amity Front has quickly amassed a fan following across the eastern sea board. What is refreshing about the band is that even though their success has come at a quick pace, they have not forgotten what is truly the most important thing for a band: remaining true to the music that is uniquely your own. On this album, the band highlights once again music that sets them apart from other bands that are out there and they prove that the old cliche of not fixing it unless it is broken is the same for music. Though of course there are variations of sound and the lyrics and songs have changed, the overall music that this band has determined works for them is what holds true on this album.
The Amity Front is comprised of Erik Alan (guitar, banjo, vocals), Levin Schwartz (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Lyon Graulty (guitar, harmonica, clarinet, vocals), Mad Adam (bass) and Pete Van Dyck (drums, piano).
Immediately on the track Wrap me in the dawn the music of The Amity Front is brought to the forefront of the album. With an almost bluegrass funk sound to it, this track has a great pairing of the guitar sounds needed to create the track infused with a harmonica sound that comes in only at the right times. The pace of the album changes throughout the track yet the cohesion of the music is never lost from start to finish.
Same old, same old is a great track that musically is reminiscent of one of those older songs that would sort of work its way into a railroad movie. With a percussive beat that is quick and methodical and the soft plucking of strings waltzing their way into the music from time to time the music is truly a step back in time. Though perhaps maintaining an older feel to the music itself, the one thing the listener will notice is that certainly the sound is not dusty and old. Rather, the music is clean and clear and the track is a true winner.
The Amity Front, never one to shy away from trying something a bit out of the ordinary, brings a ho-down feel to their music on the track Chasm . With a danceable beat that would work well on a barn’s straw dance floor, the band reaches out to a different level on this track but maintains their consistently well crafted music. Though the track is perhaps a bit different than what I would typically listen to, when balanced with the rest of the music on the album this track is a nice fit into the album.
Track listing:
1. Wrap me in the dawn
2. Pickin Hours
3. Leave it all behind
4. Cold steel bars
5. A sky between us
6. Alena's Etes
7. Same old, same old
8. A chance worth taking
9. Out the door
10. Wicked sin
11. Other side of town
12. Chasm
13. She said she sees stars
The Amity Front certainly still has a lot of growing to do but with two successful albums now under their belt they are well on their way. What this band has been able to do is take music that is well produced and performed and ensure that it at the same time is enjoyable to listen to. Though their music might transcend traditional fans of one genre or another, their music serves almost as an olive branch to all music lovers because it simply is well crafted music that will appeal to so many different people. Their passion for music is real and in turn their musical end product is really good.
Border Towns was produced by David "Goody" Goodrich.
For more information about The Amity Front, check out their website at www.theamityfront.com.
Click here for another review of The Amity Front.
Highway Bound by The Amity Front
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: At Work
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