Amplifier [Import]

Amplifier | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Indie Europe/Zoom
• ASIN: B0009K2Y50
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,891 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best debuts in many a long year..., October 4, 2007

By 

Booker (Vancouver, BC, CAN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amplifier (Audio CD)

It's almost criminal that these guys aren't massive in North America. Primarily due to a limp marketing campaign by Sony with this debut (Amplifier has since amicably split from Sony), Amplifier-Debut is just a monsterous album. Combining equal parts Zeppelin, Sabbath, Floyd, and a dash of Rush, Amplifier comes off as something completely unique. Walls of guitars swell and swoop around the listener to lead them through 10 huge tracks... and that's not all. Along with the main first disc, a second is offered with 4 more tracks... and the song "Glory Electricity" is quite possibly the best b-side ever; it wasn't even on the original release which had 13 songs it.

Pressing "play" and one is immediately assualted with the track "Motorhead". This is "I'm on a mountain, turn it up to 11" space rock without the boredom that that genre is often known for. Sel Balamir's guitar playing is a perfect combination of Gilmour's "emotion through simplicity" stylings and Plant's baddass crunch. But it's Balamir's vocals that makes this band really stand out. No screams, no scratchy yells, just calm, emotive, and thoroughly engaging.

Next "Airborne" reveals the anthemic side of the band, and one of the reasons why their live shows are so incredible. 3:30+ minutes of build-up and then they take it back to a lower level only to thunder to an even higher level once they charge it up a minute later.

"Panzer" showcases the talents of Neil Mahony and his ballsy bass tactics, and Matt Brobin channels Bonham but not to the point of mockery... just in Bonham's gigantic sound.

And then what follows are 7 more songs, each with their own distinctive style and voice, yet wholly Amplifier. There is not a single dud or misfire amongst any of them.

"Neon" is probably the only radio-friendly song on here simply due to it's sub-5 minute length. And how it didn't become one of the largest hits of 2005 is just wierd.

Lyrically the band can be a tad ambigious and often times on the darker side, but they are totally infectious.

Amplifier's Debut is a titanic album in every way. Ambitious, yes. But they totally deliver on ever count. While bands like Wolfmother, Foo Fighters, and Audioslave line the radio waves with complete homage to the point of copyright infringement, create sappy-happy songs that are easily digested and just as easily discarded, or just sound bored out of their skulls while creating music, bands like Amplifier bypass the mainstream to its detriment.

If you like rock, if you like ambition that pays off, if you like crisp production, if you like the idea of a 3-piece band sounding liking a 6-piece, Amplifier's debut album is absolutely for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Albums I've heard in a long time, January 1, 2012

By 

Gav - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amplifier (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums that simply rocks. It took me a few listens before I fully got in to it, but honestly.... there aint a bad song on this. It has two songs in particular that reminds me of a Pink Floyd, Post Acid Youth & UFO, the rest is heavier & i dont know who it reminds me of but i know i like it.

The more i listen to this the more I think this record should be listened to by everyone & it should escalate the band into the global domain of anyone wanting new & brilliant tunes.

If you are going to start listening to the band, then start with this album,for me its their best work. I'm converted as fan & can safely say this is one of my favourite records to date....easily in my top 5, & that's a hard thing for me to say.

Have a listen & hope you enjoy is as much as i do.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intense layered rock, December 4, 2010

By 

James A. Locke "New World Man" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amplifier (Audio CD)

This album is most certainly in my top-ten favorite of all time, and probably top five.
There are no weak tracks, and some absolute kills that really draw you in.

Any fans of progressive rock, shoegazer, or metal, check out some tracks as it has elements of all of these.
Motorhead, Airborne, Old Movies, Post-acid Youth, One Great Summer, and UFOs are probably my favorite, but all the rest have their strengths.

Their newest album, The Octopus (available for pre-order, with a general release date of late Jan 2011 I believe), is a hugely ambitious work, covering two CDs, even a little darker with several long tracks.

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