STRANGER & STRANGERS

I bought this EP when I've been on a concert of these guys and I've to say they're really amazing on stage. Although not all of their stuff is so much "my cup of tea", actually on this one here it is only the title track that can hit my attraction. Both Softly There, Everything and Still going Nowhere are showing too much their influence by Alternative Rock bands. Nice songs for one listen but nothing special. But then there is this awesome piece called Stranger & Strangers timing 14 1/2 minutes and it's not one second too long. Vocals and keyboards by Louis Gabbiani are really superb and the rest of the band is playing great as well. This track is certainly an outstanding one and alone worth four stars. Actually I'd have wished they had included it on their album and omitted some other stuff instead. Like the next one for example Hide Inside which can't convince me here in its acoustic version neither.

Though I personally like only one track on this EP, I still would call it an excellent addition for any prog collection. Since it's occupying more than half of the record, this great track is for sure worth the money alone for the whole one. Fans of Radiohead or the alikes might be pleased as well by the other songs!

"Stranger & Strangers", the second EP by this talented band. Released after their debut album "Goodbye to Dusk Farewell to Dawn" it may abbreviate the time of waiting for the second album.

Unlike Dieter I have to say that I really like Softly There, Everywhere and Still going Nowhere for what they are: very good rock songs with gorgeous melodies. I really have to compliment them on their songwriting, even though the two songs have nothing in common with prog.

Whereas the title song Stranger & Strangers can undoubtedly be regarded as prog. 14 minutes up and down, just like a roller coaster ride. In the beginning Luis Gabbiani's beautiful voice opens the song, accompanied by mellow organ chords before the guitar and hammond chime in. The whole song gets heavier and fluently sidles through different passages including psychedelic, monotonous organ phrases until it comes to a long, really rocking part. I also have to mention the rythm section here, really awesome drumming and bass. In the end eveything is calming down and the song ends just as mellow as it began. I have nothing but acclamation for this great song, if you don't know it, you definitely missed something.

Finally we have the acoustic version of Hide inside which is really nice. I saw the band live again some weeks ago and they played an acoustic set which was an interesting event. The band supports ARCHIVE and RPWL on their current tours. ARCHIVE promote their new acoustic album so all the shows will be completely acoustic.

Yet again, THE AMBER LIGHT released fascinating music ranging between art rock, symphonic prog and so called post rock. I really recommend this disc, even though it is just an EP and no major release. Please note that my rating doesn't include the fact that it is just an EP because I wanted to rate it for what it is, not compring it to a major release. So it may be everything but essential but it's still an excellent addition to any prog music collection.

4.5 stars. I have been giving this Ep a lot of airplay lately, it reminds me of my younger days when I would get a new cassette that I liked and I would play it to death.The first two songs remind me of the music I listened to in the early nineties like THE CURE and THE SMITHS only more upbeat.Then there is the only really prog song followed by an acoustic version of a song from their amazing "Goodbye To Dusk, Farewell To Dawn" album. I really like all four songs a lot.

"Softly There, Everywhere" is such an uplifting, fun tune.The guitar melody is so catchy and the vocals are just right, like sunshine to the ears. I have to say that these first two songs are mood alterating, it's impossible for me not to feel good all over. "Still Going Nowhere" is my favourite track on this 4 song Ep. Again they came up with such a cool, catchy guitar melody that comes and goes. Combine this with the vocals and i'm melted.The vocals are the highlight.

"Stranger & Strangers" is the longest song by far at over 14 minutes.This will appeal to the prog fans out there. Gentle vocals are almost speaking as keys and cymbals are barely heard. That changes quickly as a full sound arrives. The lazy guitar solo 2 minutes in with organ helping out before it ends is a treat. We get an organ melody that last for 3 minutes as light drums and bass fill out the sound with no vocals. Cool section. The guitar gets aggressive after 6 minutes as drums start to dominate the sound. We're rockin' now. "Hide Inside" is done acoustically here and although I do prefer the electric version from their debut album better, the meaningful words become more the focus on this version, so it works really well.

If your a fan of the band then this is a must have. I do like it a lot better than their first Ep.