published: 1 /
10 /
2014
Label:
Herdwerks
Format: CD
Magical and epic debut album from rising Nottingham/Chesterfield-based alt.rock group, the Amber Herd
Review
The Amber Herd are made up of Neil Beards (vocals and acoustic guitar), Rob Fitzmaurice (bass), Mark Lasbury (percussion), Ollie Powditch (keyboards) and Paul Wentworth (electric guitar).Their eagerly-awaited debut album ‘Our Only Eden’ has finally been unleashed on their quickly growing fanbase and the general public.
The Amber Herd have previously self-released two double A-sided singles and an EP 'This Town’, the latter in particular which received great reviews. They have also played support slots for acts such as the Delays, That Petrol Emotion, CUD, Ultrasound and the Sound of Guns, and performed at several festivals including Bearded Theory, High Voltage in London and Deerstock in the fields of Nottinghamshire. They have also had their song ‘Magnolia’ played on the Channel 4's ‘Hollyoaks’ earlier in 2013. But things have gone a little quiet of late in the Amber Herd's back garden, and this is because they been hidden away for several months writing and recording their debut album which was originally planned for last year.
The album comes encased in a beautifully printed gatefold sleeve, which has on its cover a photo by Chris Hill of the Danger Tree, which based in Newfoundland Memorial Park in Beaumont Hamel in France is the only tree in this location known to have survived the Battle of Somme. If you flip the disc out from inside, there is a sepia of the Yangtze by Laiwan Ng. To accompany the sleeve is a great little booklet hidden inside with lyrics and other images.
‘Our Only Eden’ was recorded at Nottingham's Psyrex and Octave and also in the Hasland Theatre in Chesterfield, where they have recently had their album launch show and has been carefully produced by Lorna’s Mark Rolfe. This is one of those albums that you have to listen to from start to finish several times, before you can pick out odd favourite tracks from it if you can at all. It is a gargantuan offering on many levels. From the first touch of it in your hands, you can tell this is a well made and musically expressive piece of work that should be shelved amongst the great bands of choice of today. It is hard to put this the Amber Herd into some kind of genre, but Neil Beard’ lyrics take the listener on a strange, jumbled-up journey with songs that make reference to today's ever troubling times.
Musically it is a masterpiece that compliments Beards' meandering lyrics to the full. Each member of the Amber Herd is a kingpin in the sound and direction. Without one of the band, the sound wouldn't be what it is. For a band that is currently unsigned, this is a magical start and one that needs to be picked up and sent to the big times. It is that good.
Track Listing:-
1
Three Ring Circus
2
Red Gold
3
Another River
4
Tinman
5
Kite
6
Stage Fright
7
Leaving Home
8
In to Land
Band Links:-
http://theamberherd.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theamberherd