Amateurs
Speak Easy
2007 | Self-Released
I wanted to somehow work the phrase “Easy like Sunday morning” in here,
not because I’m reviewing the Commodores, but because it’s a great way
to sum up the first full length release, Speak Easy, from Los Angeles based Amateurs.
It’s a laid back, mellow album that meanders through several styles
without getting lost in the woods. Drawing on influences such as T-Rex,
Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie, they produce a style that is reminiscent
of happy 70’s rock, without sounding derivative and clichéd. And then
they throw in some country layers, dark soundscapes, dual guitars, a
violin and a bucket load of emotional vocals. When you think you got
their sound pinpointed down, the album morphs from poppy to dream-like.
This is especially so with the track “Submariners” where the
instruments take on a floating, underwater quality. “Speak Easy”
successfully translates emotion in their instrumental tracks as well,
slowly rising and building the structure until the whole track sweeps
you off your feet. I recommend “Omaha Nights”, “Spectacular Fall”, and
“Submariners”.
-Elana Rintala
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