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THE AMAZING

Crossover Prog • Sweden


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The Amazing picture
The Amazing biography
Sweden based THE AMAZING started releasing their dreamy art rock albums on year 2009. The fusion of psychedelic pop and folk-oriented hazy stoner music is led by Reine FISKE, whose guitar shimmers with relaxed spirituality, weaving his instrument to more ethereal acoustic glades than on the troubled LANDBERK records, anxious MORTE MACABRE sessions or on dynamic outbursts of DUNGEN. Christoffer GUNRUP's sublime compositions and vocals relate to accessible mellow rock directions with professional writing skills, artistic arrangements and minor psychedelic flavors. The albums hold affecting and fine quality laid back sensations, Reine and Christoffer accompanied by talented musicians like Magnus VIKSTRÖM on keyboards, Fredrik SWAHN playing bass, and Johan HOLMEGÅRG on drums. A very recommendable band for those adoring current neo-classic Swedish prog rock movement, and for anybody interested of calm, thoughtful vintage music.

Discography

Albums:
2009 "The Amazing" (SUBCD30, xmlp-sub34)
2010 "Wait for A Light to Come" (BAM-FP0048, SUB-069-LP)
2011 "Gentle Stream" (SUB085CD)

Compillation Appearances:
2009 "The Wall Rebuilt!" (MOJO)
2011 "Music from Time and Space vol.42"


Eetu Pellonpää 2012


Sources:
Official Homepage
RateYourMusic.com
www.myspace.com/theamazingswedes
www.subliminalsounds.se
www.facebook.com/theamazing.swe

THE AMAZING Videos (YouTube and more)


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THE AMAZING discography


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THE AMAZING top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 4 ratings
The Amazing
2009
3.04 | 7 ratings
Wait for a Light to Come
2010
4.20 | 22 ratings
Gentle Stream
2011
3.93 | 16 ratings
Picture You
2015
4.00 | 10 ratings
Ambulance
2016
5.00 | 2 ratings
In Transit
2018
3.92 | 7 ratings
Piggies
2024

THE AMAZING Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

THE AMAZING Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

THE AMAZING Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

THE AMAZING Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 1 ratings
Deportation Day
2009
4.00 | 1 ratings
Dragon
2009

THE AMAZING Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Piggies by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2024
3.92 | 7 ratings

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Piggies
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Did you ever think that The Amazing could make their effects-drenched sound even more lush? Or that they would have ever made female vocals to so prominent in their mix? Or that they would ever resort to using cheap old computer drum machine sounds instead of Moussa's jazz-nuanced batterie? Who ever thought that music that was already so lush could get even more lush?

Here on Piggies they're reaching the for effects levels used by The Cure or Robert Fripp, OMD or Robin Guthrie's Cocteau Twins (or the whole 4 A.D. label!), Nick Laird-Clowes' The Dream Academy or the McAloon Brothers' Prefab Sprout, Steve Kilby's The Church or Bauhaus/Love And Rockets! It's atmospheric psychedelia taken to Elysian extremes. But it's good! Christoffer Gunrup's lyrics have never been more poetic: scaled down to minimal presence, they seem to pack more of a punch. Not much in the way of instrumental prowess put on display here, it's all about the mood: the most beautiful ambivalence humans can produce with music.

Favorite songs: The Cure-like "Figurehead," "Piggies," "Last Stand" and "Through the Cracks" (the two songs nearest to the band's old style), and "Cinnamon" (with the Robert Fripp guitar and female choir vocals), and the Dream Academy-like "I Think I Found a Way."

Though this is less a prog album than any the band has done--reviving more of the 1980s Goth-glam music or the 1990s heroine trippie music of The Cowboy Junkies or Portishead--it is an album that I enjoy more with every listen. Still, I miss the way the band would jam at the end of every song back in their early days.

 Gentle Stream by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2011
4.20 | 22 ratings

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Gentle Stream
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This would be my second favourite album from Sweden's own THE AMAZING featuring guitarist Reine Fiske. I do connect more with 2016's "Ambulance" for that Dream Pop vibe. This one is folky and dreamy too with those warm vocals and Fiske's wondrous guitar leads.

That self titled opener is certainly one of my favourites off this album. Just a beautiful song both instrumentally and vocally. Lots of depth and some organ after 4 minutes when the vocals step aside briefly. A long instrumental break ends it. More organ on the next tune "Flashlight" and the chorus is moving. Thankyou! We even get some guest flute and sax on this one. Fragile vocals on "The Fog" which is folky, "Gone" is excellent especially the guitar and vocals. "Dogs" is a top three again because of the vocals and guitar. This is one I can just drift away to. The closer "When The Colours Change" is one I can relate to here in Canada. Another dreamy tune especially the chorus.

Man I have such a thing for Swedish melancholy, nobody does melancholy like the Swedes.

 The Amazing by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2009
4.00 | 4 ratings

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The Amazing
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars That album cover of clouds in the sky with no blue in sight certainly describes the music here. Melancholic is the word but these guys are from Sweden of course one of my favourite countries when it comes to my music. Guitarist Reine Fiske and singer Christoffer Gunrup lead the way here. The former for his shimmering guitar leads and folky style at times. The latter for his dreamy vocals and compositions. Yes this is folky psychedelia with a dream pop flavour at times. I'm a pretty big fan of this band with "Ambulance" being my current favourite from them. What a great start to their careers though with this 2009 release. The tracks shown here on PA are from the vinyl record while I have the cd with three more songs on it. Interesting that two of the three tracks they didn't include on the vinyl are the two most melancholic pieces on here. Sad is the word for both "Romanian" and "The Strangest Thing".

I'm such a fan of the opener "The Kirwan Song" named after Danny Kirwan who composed "Sunny Side Of Heaven" that this is based off of. Drums are prominent on this one along with that guitar and dreamy vocals. "Dragon" is a folky tune with reserved vocals. "Beach House" is the other tune left off of the vinyl version. Laid back acoustic guitar as vocals join in after a minute. I like the multi vocal section that comes and goes with the wordless sounds. "Code II" is a top three and the most powerful sounding track on here. The two guest organists are on this one creating atmosphere and more. Spacey psychedelia right here when the vocals step aside each time. "Deportation" is another top three for me. A brighter more uptempo sound. So different like the previous track. The calm is cool with those wordless melodies. Love the guitar throughout. "Dead" is my final top three although "Is It Likely" is so close to making this group. Some rare passion too the vocals on that one. "Dead" has distorted guitar and more of a Rock sound, even though it's mid paced and dreamy as well. Vocals just before a minute. Love this one! "Had To Keep Walking" is by far the longest piece at 11 minutes.

It's easy to drift away listening to this type of music and it certainly makes me feel good. There are so many bands that guitarist Reine Fiske is in that I'm such big fan of. What a talented musician. Check him out with THE AMAZING.

 Ambulance by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2016
4.00 | 10 ratings

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Ambulance
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars A new contribution from one of my favorite soundscape producers, Sweden's The Amazing. A little more folk=- oriented and lacking some of the exciting "highs" I like to find, still a good album from 2016.

1. "Ambulance" (4:24) Great Amazing sound, great melody; don't like the drumming. (8.75/10)

2. "Divide" (5:24) great mix, great lead guitar play beneath the singing throughout, okay melody, okay chorus; no substantial hook(s). (8.5/10)

3. "Blair Drager" (5:33) opens with a great sound between the drums and guitar single-chord descending slide. Bass and low register "spoken" vocal are also cool, different. Awesome switch into the awesome chorus. Nice keyboard/synth work--and solo in the final section. (9/10)

4. "Tracks" (6:40) opens with a wonderful, dreamy, (shoegaze), AMAZING/THE CURE sound with guitar arpeggi, slow drum beat, and atmospheric bass and keys. This goes on for an awesomely relaxing two minutes before lead guitar(s) enter and the drums double up their pace. Dreamy, multi-tracked vocals don't enter until 2:30 and seem to come in with the chorus. Great guitar chord play in the final minute as the music slows back down to match the speed of the opening section. (9/10)

5. "Floating" (4:37) opens with a very familiar, kind of EAGLES-feeling song construct before Christofer enters. Great use of female voice(s) for background vocals in the chorus. Putting the snare in the left channel is an interesting touch. (8.5/10)

6. "Through City Lights" (7:43) very slow, old 50s/60s bluesy/doo-wap-era sound to this one. Acoustic guitar joins in in the third minute. Nice work from the acoustic in the final minute. Slight build in soundscape but never really grows anywhere exciting--which, over almost 8 minutes, proves to be its downfall. (7.5/10)

7. "Moments Like These" (4:21) finger-picked guitars make this one feel 60s folk, almost C&W. Vocals do nothing to change this impression. Odd stop and rather radical shift at 1:42 leads to a group sing of a line, "I know that everyone wants somebody" or something like that, and then it goes back to the original song structure with increased drum presence. (8/10)

8. "Perfect Day For Shrimp" (6:24) all acoustic guitar opening (two guitars picking) for 30 seconds before Christoffer enters to sing what is probably my favorite vocal, melody, and lyric of the album. Drums enter at 1:30. Nice use of background vocals and synths. Gap of silence at 3:40 till 4:10 when a what feels like a whole new song rises up. How odd! (8/10)

While I love the Amazing sound, I haven't found anything really super exciting on this album to "write home about." I have a true confession to make here: I've never liked/been impressed with the drumming on The Amazing albums: the "signatory" snare use is way too busy and, over time, grating.

Four stars; a nice contribution of folkie prog rock.

 Wait for a Light to Come by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.04 | 7 ratings

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Wait for a Light to Come
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Sweden's own THE AMAZING released this under 27 minute EP back in 2010, their second release after the self titled debut the year previous. We get a collection of six tracks ranging from just over 2 1/2 minutes to just over 6 1/2 minutes. There is some variety here but I'd say overall that Folk is where I'd place this recording. Unfortunately I haven't heard the debut yet or the one that follows this one to give some perspective.

"Evil" opens with drums as acoustic guitar, flute and more join in. Vocals too. The drums are interesting. Kind of a whimsical, upbeat, folky track. "And It Looks Like Today" is very much a Folk tune with male and female vocals. It's so well done and while Folk isn't my thing this has grown on me a lot. Seems so simple with a beat, picked guitar and vocals. Violin will help out as well.

"Islands" is my favourite. Strummed guitar, bass, percussion then organ. Such a chill out sound. Vocals just before a minute and I like them. It tuns brighter on the chorus and I don't like it as much. Back to the versus as the organ returns. Contrasts continue until we get this calm at 3 1/2 minutes which seems to come out of nowhere then that sound from before the calm returns but this time violin and piano help out. Interesting stuff as it stays all instrumental to the end.

"Head Beaches" is another one I like with that dreamy sound as the vocals join in. I like the atmospheric guitar from Fiske. "Defect" is an energetic track with some depth to it. The guitar is abrasive but then it settles down when the vocals arrive. Vocals stop before 2 1/2 minutes as we get a really good instrumental section right to the end. 4 minutes worth! Check out Fiske at 5 1/2 minutes. "Wait For The Light To Come" is a short laid back piece with acoustic guitar and vocals.

A good introduction to the band I'd say as they offer up a variety of styles.

 Picture You by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.93 | 16 ratings

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Picture You
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars THE AMAZING have quickly become a favourite of mine of late. I started with their latest "Ambulance" which I consider a 4.5 star album while the previous album that we're looking at here "Picture You" I feel is a strong 4 star record. The peaks that this one hits though makes this a special album for me, I just feel it loses some steam in the second half. What made me check out this Swedish band to begin with was hearing that Reine Fiske was their guitarist. Add to that the vocals and that dreamy and melancholic sound and I was sold. Dream Pop certainly came to mind often with this album and the followup "Ambulance". The music is gorgeous to say the least.

The first four tracks are my top four with three of the final six tracks also being highlights. Yeah this is really good. "Broken" gets things started and the first thing we hear is atmosphere as the guitar comes in sounding amazing. Drums and more follow quickly and this sounds absolutely gorgeous when the vocals arrive. A calm after 3 minutes as we get this dreamy sound which includes the vocals all the way to the end.

"Picture You" opens with picked guitar followed by a beat and vocals. The vocals just melt me here. Such a simple song thus far yet so emotional. The vocal melodies after 3 minutes are a nice touch. A change after 4 1/2 minutes with picked guitar and bass. So good! It then starts to build. "Circles" has a relaxed sound including the vocals of course. A prolonged instrumental section starts before 4 1/2 minutes, organ too. Soon it's acoustic guitar only to the end.

"Safe Island" is experimental to start before it kicks in to a full sound. Vocals a minute in and they sound like they are double tracked. So good! A change 5 1/2 minutes in with cascading guitars and experimental sounds that are quite powerful right to the end. "To Keep it Going" is another highlight, yes five in a row. Strummed guitar and dreamy vocals while spacey synths eventually join in and more. I like this one a lot.

"Fryshusfunk" is almost a normal tune with that brighter mood and vocals that sound more straight forward. Hard not to bob my head throughout this one despite it not being one of my favs. Some organ when the vocals stop then we get a change 5 minutes in as it turns powerful. Check out Fiske! This goes on to the end. Good song. "Tell Them You Can't Leave" opens with drums, atmosphere and keys then it turns fuller. There's a feel good vibe here when the vocals arrive. This music makes me happy.

"The Headless Boy" is easily my least favourite. Cool title but too samey a track as we get a lot of strummed guitar melodies and vocals. "Captured Light" makes up for the previous song though. Love the distorted guitar intro as vocal harmonies and bass kick in. The vocals sound distant a minute in but fit their dreamy style. All I know is that this music makes me feel good. Vocals step aside after 3 minutes but the harmonies are back before 4 minutes. A calm 5 1/2 minutes in as sounds echo then this uptempo guitar melody takes over to the end.

"Winter Dress" has this spacey atmosphere to begin with as vocals, bass and drums join in. He's singing more normal here. So much going on in the background. Not one of my favs but still a good song.

What is it about me and Sweden? Anyways I will continue to go backwards through their discography and hope that the dream pop vibe continues. Great album!

 Picture You by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.93 | 16 ratings

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Picture You
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars I've been listening to Picture You long enough now to note that it is . . . different than 2011's masterpiece and my Favorite Album of my favorite year of progressive rock music, Gentle Stream. Picture You has more reverb in the vocals, a greater presence of keyboards, more prominent female vocals, and, I guess, a greater diversity of sound and song palette--which sounds like a winning combination, right? It could be, but I can't honestly say that I like Picture You as much as Gentle Stream. There are some great high points and no terrible low points but something about Gentle Stream just sucks me in and holds me warm and excited--to this day, even.

1. "Broken" (5:04) opens with an amazing sound and not one but two very catchy CURE-like guitar riffs. The vocals a are a bit back in the mix, but are accompanied by some wonderful background vocals--female included! Not quite THE CLIENTELE but definitely reaching back for more of that 70s warmth. The slow down, soft down, outro part that begins at 3:40 is quite unexpected and quite gorgeous--the vocals wafting and weaving delightfully among each other. (9/10)

2. "Picture You" (9:27) opens with not one, but two very engaging chord riffs before the song tempo and vocal enter. The guitar arpeggio once again reminds me of JESSE COLIN YOUNG, the voice like that of former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, BOB WELCH, on his late-1977 album, French Kiss (remember his monster hit, "Sentimental Lady"?). The instrumental section that begins at 4:30 begins simply enough with slow-changing guitar chords played as two- or three-note arpeggios but gradually building support from the rest of the band, with Reine Fiske's atmospheric work staying fairly far in the background. Drummer Moussa Fadera's jazz-lleanings are given nice room for show. Though this is a nine and a half minute song, it speeds by incredibly fast. And I just can't get enough of it! (10/10)

3. "Circles" (6:23) mellows things down quite a little. Guitars, organ, slow pace, catchy guitar riffs, gorgeous female-backed vocals from Christoffer Gunrup, it even blesses us with a gorgeous all-accoustic guitar outro from three guitars. It would seem that this song has no flaws save nothing that shocks or shakes you, only that it is a perhaps a bit too sleepy pretty. (9/10)

4. "Safe Island" (8:35) sounds as if we're being taken underwater: even the drums that are, I believe, here meant to be central and showy are somehow muted or softened by recording effects. At 5:30 Reine and Christoffer take us into a three minute ride into outer space with their complementary guitar and keyboard/ computer effects (Christoffer going psychedelic prog? Oh, my!) (8/10)

5. "Keep It Going" (5:43) reminds me of a kind of floating interlude, meant to give the audience a little nap before going into Side Two. A little monotonous and soporific. But still pretty. (7/10)

6. "Fryshusfunk" (7:29) is a Reine Fiske showcase very much in the vein of his work on LANDBERK's last two albums before that band's dissolution. A slow jazz-pop PAUL WELLER/STYLE COUNCIL-like foundation and structure works pretty well for the first two minutes, but the real meat of the song (for me, REINE FISKE junkie that I am) takes off after that 2:15-2:35 bridge. The heavy, blues-rock section that begins at 5:00 is hypnotic like a whirlpool, but also like Charybdis, the whirlpool of the Straits of Messina, it is deceptively dangerous as it threatens to suck you in. (9/10)

7. "Tell Them You Can't Leave" (4:08) shows the band backing off a bit on the reverb. This is the first song on Picture You that sounds like it could have come straight off of Gentle Stream. What is disappointing is the song's lack of melodic hook--in the vocals or in the guitar play. At times it almost sounds like it's trying to go BLUE OYSTER CULT "Don't Fear the Reaper." But . . . it doesn't. The drumming, b vox and acoustic guitar strumming are, for me, the most interesting parts of this song. (7/10)

8. "The Headless Boy" (4:02) sounds very much like an early EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL (first decade era) song, with Ben on lead vocal and Tracey on harmonies. Nice song but it would not have been one of the songs to make my "EBTG Faves" playlist. Instead, it is rather innocuous and forgettable. (7/10)

9. "Captured Light" (8:13) opens with some CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG power and distortion. Then harmonized voices! This is cool! The bass is awesome. I really enjoy the weave of layered voices despite their difficult-to-discern lyrics. Though the vocals veer the song more into the territory of THE ASSOCIATION, the instrumental part definitely stay strongly reminiscent of CSN&Y. At 3:34 a keyboard-generated strings sound slowly descends eight notes before roller-coasting to the end of a fourth measure where it starts over, repeating its infectious hook for the next two minutes. At 5:45 the song takes a rather odd and incongruous turn to an all acoustic guitar format with Christoffer singing among them. This to the end. A bit of a letdown. I really liked the CSN&Y/ASSOCIATION blend. (9/10)

10. "Winter Dress" (5:28) builds itself around a slide guitar riff that gets repeated and throughout the song behind Christoffer's ROBERT SMITH-like mumbled lyrics. The drum play is, for once, played fairly straight on and recorded well into the mix. I like the guitars being up front and the clarity of the bass, drums, and acoustic guitars. I guess this might be the key for me: less "under water" music, less distortion and reverb (though I love reverb!), more return to the folk rock sounds of Gentle Stream. (9/10)

Where Gentle Stream elicited warmth and inclusion and familiarity, I think that the muddiness of parts of Picture You kind of holds one at a distance, isolates the listener from feeling included in the music. I'm not sure of the band's intentions with Picture You, but, thought there is still some great music here, it is not nearly as engaging and energizing as the all-out jams Christoffer, Reine and the boys were luring us in with their end-of-song interplay throughout Gentle Stream.

Four stars.

I forgot to mention how much I enjoy the stepped up presence and effect of the keyboards.

 Wait for a Light to Come by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.04 | 7 ratings

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Wait for a Light to Come
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 'The Amazing' are one of those current Swedish groups that teeter on the edge of psychedelic Progressive Rock and 'indie' rock. Fronted by singer/songwriter Christopher Gunrup, the band features members from fellow Swedes DUNGEN, amongst many others, making for yet another splinter group worthy of checking out, albeit, a touch on the commercial side. This 2nd offering, an E.P. entitled 'Wait For A Light To Come', offers 6 tracks which showcase various approaches to composition, be it folk, heavy/psych, laid-back, experimental and so-forth. Ranging from more acoustically dominated material, to out-'n'-out acid-psych, this selection is a great way to enter the world of 'The Amazing'. Album opener, 'Evil', is really anything but - it's a sweet, melodic ride through light acoustic strumming along a loose, bouncy rhythm, suggestive of carefree sunny days out in the open air. Reine Fiske adds some delicate lead-guitar lines throughout, giving a light country feel to the piece. Nothing flash, but enjoyable. Gunrup's vocals throughout are fragile, yet confident and fitting. 'And It Looks Like Today' is a straight up, melodic folk-rock track, a light-hearted tune with female backing vocals, again heavily relying on acoustic instrumentation. 'Islands' is a longer piece that's very mellow, with shimmering organ, hand percussion, subtle bass and acoustic guitar. It just goes on and on in a most tasteful way. The best track by far on the first side. Flip-side starts with yet another straight forward song, 'Head Beaches', again laid-back and accessible, Fiske's chordal strumming on electric guitar is quite moving. I think they've made a film- clip to this song. 'Defect' approaches the 7 minute mark, and shows us a heavier piece reminiscent of Dungen, but never crossing over that far into their jammy, improv territory. Here, Fiske is the star and gives us the light we've been waiting to come ! Easily the best track with a groovy backing and shredding psych guitar. The title cut is another acoustic tune with a simple, repetitive melody and Gunrup chanting the album title over and over. It's only brief and finishes off the E.P. majestically. Definitely a recommended introduction to the band, but the following full-length album is stronger overall. 3.5 stars.
 Gentle Stream by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2011
4.20 | 22 ratings

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Gentle Stream
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars This happens to be my favorite album of the year 2011; I know that it is not the 'best.' The melodies, warmth of the music, incredible group jams--led, of course, by my guitar hero, Reine Fiske--make this album one that I want to come back to often. More than the others in this year's Top Album's list. But I recognize its flaws, especially in the fact that it is not so proggy as some of the other masterpieces and excellent collections of progressive rock music.

1. "Gentle Stream" (7:00) starts the album out with an incredible sound that is quite reminiscent of some of the masterpieces of psychedelic rock from the late 1960s and even the Southern rock groups of the early 1970s. A smooth, incredibly warm and melodic song-- both in terms of the instrumentalisits and the vocals. Great vocal harmonies in the vein of CROSBY, STILL, NASH & YOUNG. The drum work is incredibly fluid and smooth, restrained yet full--kind of like STEVE GADD's understated mastery. But my favorite part is the vocal- accompanied all-out jam by the band for the final two and a half minutes. The adrenaline rush is incredible! THE SONG OF THE YEAR!! (11/10)

2."Flashlight" (4:56) continues the album's 60s/70s psychedelic/Southern rock feel--as do all of the songs on Gentle Stream--this time in the vein of DAVE MASON/JESSE COLIN YOUNG. A simpler, almost acoustic song with flutes, picking acoustic guitar, and some organ. Nice ERIC CLAPTON/BLIND FAITH instrumental section in the middle, followed by simple electric guitar and saxophone soli to end. (8/10)

3. "International Hair" (6:08) is another standout song, this time starting like a JONI MITCHELL, FLEETWOOD MAC or AMERICA song. Singer Christoff Gunrup has an amazingly smooth, sensitive, and familiar voice; he sings as if he is putting his entire being into his efforts. The smooth, subtle work of the drummer is again stellar. A lull of delicate play at the 4:20 mark turns into another group jam with Reine Fiske playing the slide or pedal steel guitar and some roiling percussion dueling going on all around. (10/10)

4. "The Fog" (4:29) begins with some acoustic guitar picking which again revives images of STEVE WINWOOD/BLIND FAITH. The vocals enter, ever-so delicately, at times feeling like they are being held up or shored up by the background singers' sustained "ahh's" and "ooohs." Fiske's guitar picking gets a little more forceful at the 2:20 mark, and from there out, until multiple electric guitars begin a southern rock harmonized duel right out of the archives of THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND or even THE ALLMAN BROTHERS. (9/10)

5. "Gone" (6:13) has much more of a CSN&Y feel to it--especially the electric guitars. This song has some awesome hooks, both instrumentally and vocally, but the highlight is one of the album's trademark all-out band jams--previewed with the rhythm shift at the 2:21 mark but really starting at about the 4:07 mark. Almost a SANTANA or AMERICA feel to it. Wonderful b vox! (9/10)

6. "Dogs" (6:38) starts out with an even stronger CSN&Y sound and feel--like it was a song that didn't make it onto 1970's Déjà Vu (but should have). Christoff's vocal is mixed a little back and the electric guitars are very much in the foreground. This is not quite as engaging a song, despite it's familiarity, until the 4:12 mark when the electric guitar swiches on his wah- pedal and starts to lead into an awesome HENDRIX/CLAPTON/ROBIN TROWER playing backed by some amazing organ play that is reminiscent of PROCUL HARUM's MATTHEW FISHER or perhaps even STEVE WINWOOD. (9/10)

7. "Assumptions" (2:08) is a kind of vocal interlude, almost like sacred church or meditative music.(8/10)

8. "When The Colours Change" (6:02) is the album's final masterpiece. It begins with a very slow moving rhythm though with full band members' participation. Sitar or (and/or pedal steel?) and harp bring a rich fullness to this song that is so gorgeous. This song reminds me of some of the LARRY LEE-penned OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS songs from the 1970s. Beautiful song with stellar performances across the board--all collaborating and synthesizing into a seamless aural quilt. (10/10)

Again, this is my favorite album from 2011, yet, in terms of its contribution to "progressive rock" it suffers a little. It is more of a revival of some long lost and yet not forgotten sounds and traditions that give it such a warmth and home-like familiarity that set this album apoart from the other Neo, revivalist or imitative work being done today. Absolutely gorgeous vocals and melodies coupled with mesmerizing guitar and drum play.

(As of 10/29/12 Gentle Stream sits at #48 on my list of All-time Favorite Albums.)

 Gentle Stream by AMAZING, THE album cover Studio Album, 2011
4.20 | 22 ratings

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Gentle Stream
The Amazing Crossover Prog

Review by Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer

4 stars A couple of months ago, I placed an LP order with Syn-Phonic - I selected The Amazing's 2nd and 3rd releases. They were not included here at P.A., and all I knew of the band is that they were from Sweden, and DUNGEN's guitarist extraodinaire REINE FISKE was involved. This most recent album from the band, 'Gentle Stream', was quite the discovery, very consistent and portraying no weaknesses at all !! Johan Holmegard (also of Dungen) plays drums, with a solid bassist, keyboardist, vocalist and various guests participating. Not unlike Dungen, The Amazing holds an equally inspired frontman in Christoffer Gunrup, who handles the composing, and has a pleasant, even if a bit fragile, singing voice, performing all songs in English language. Stylistically, they are a song-based and laid-back (most of the time) sort of band. Some tracks feature the Mellotron too !! The 7 min. title-song can be reminiscent of various psychedelic efforts from certain West Coast bands of the late 60's - memorable melodies, subtle organ, twangy guitars and a generally mellow vibe, with a lightly country-ish flavour, with Gunrup's vocal harmonies taking us out on an easy ride during the final 2 minutes or so. 'Flashlight' continues the easy going hippie mood with a song featuring some lovely flute-work and a light-hearted melody. Musically, the latter section offers some tasteful saxophone playing and some scarcely heard mellotron-piano lines. I often wonder of the inspiration behind a song entitled 'International Hair' - have we just come from some high-end salon with the latest, hirsute fashion trend ?? Anyway, this one's a 6 min. burner with catchy verses and an excellent coda alternating between major and minor keys. 'The Fog' is somewhat straight-forward but tasteful nevertheless. Side 2 is where I find they come into their own, an almost immaculate stretch of 4 songs, mostly breaking the 6 minute mark, allowing the band to jam out and show us how they can impress within their more direct approach. I can detect more vibes of the fantastic LANDBERK in many moments on this side than side 1. From the track 'Gone', which shows off the more abrasive guitars that we have come to admire from Fiske, along with some notable percussion work, to the mellotron- backed ethereal closer 'When The Colours Change', each song is a real treat, with 'Dogs' being the absolute meister-work of the album - great guitaring from Fiske throughout, with the instrumental passage during the 2nd half allowing the band to let loose a bit. 'Assumptions' is a short, 2min+ piece that is every bit as tasteful as the rest. Some well incorporated mellotron parts enhance the beauty. The gentle closer may leave one in a state of blissful catatonia (if there were such a thing) - I find it's all over too soon for me. Fiske's guitaring is spot-on. With my semi-permeable man-brain (ho ho) I don't know if I do this album enough justice - 4 stars.
Thanks to Eetu Pellonpää for the artist addition.

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