US Band from Washington DC

72 mins

amulettheband.com

https://www.facebook.com/amulettheband

Rating 80/100

An Observation, if only based on the dark mysterious (yet very pretty) appearance of lead singer ‘Stephanie Stryker, of Washington DC-based band ‘Amulet’. One cannot help drawing parallels with the British ‘Post Punk-Gothic’ music subculture.  Especially ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees’. Could such a gothic fashion stance be somehow influenced by fellow band leader MJ Phoenix, well no as actually Stephanie has a degree in fashion design and has followed the punk trend eagerly since her teen years?  But simply another observation, because MJ originates from the UK, the very centre for the Gothic Rock phenomenon? Certainly a magnet there Iguesst!!!

However, the rest of the band do not share the same extreme gothic look and listening to the music one concludes that whilst the subject matter of the lyrics tends towards the darkish side of life, the instrumental aspects are all seemingly quite bright and breezy. Such fairly up-tempo stylisations move the genera to a firmly central almost AOR rock setting. The focal point to the proceedings is, without doubt, the very competent and quite stunning vocal leads provided by Stephanie. She has a very fluid voice with great intonation, jazzy inflexions and a remarkably pleasant tone carried throughout the entire proceedings. There are too some really nice dual harmonies provided by keyboardist Alison Freyja. Alison’s voice is extremely complimentary and in fact, I believe, she takes the lead on the track titled ‘Witchfinder’.

Throughout the massive sixteen-track offering of 72 minutes, there is an extremely high standard of composition with multitudes of different ideas and instrumental complexity. Unbelievably too there is very little repetition with each track having a distinctly different identity and flavour. With prominent driving bass throughout, energetic drumming and flamboyant rhythm guitar providing a solid platform, the guitar leads do manage to find a modicum of space between the vocal lines to provide some sharp bursts of interest. Subsequent plays too reveal oodles of deft keyboard chord progressions and well-considered fills.

Not often do a band provide a programme so flexible that it is both enjoyable for either listening to or dancing to the music, I would imagine that these guys would be unbelievably brilliant to see live.

Summary: A very enjoyable album and one that represents brilliant true value for money at over 72 mins long. A very listenable and professional package of songs that get better and better after each successive play.

 

Personnel:-

MJ Phoenix- Bass

Stephanie Stryker- Lead Vocals

Bob Carr-Guitar

Damian Himeros –Drums

Mark Schramm-Guitar

Alison Frane –Keyboards

Check out the bands website for a wealth of information.