Fox Reviews Rock

Introduction

Originating from an open mic night, the four-member rock band AMBER, hailing from Lark Lane, has just unveiled their EP titled “Cash Is King.” This talented group takes pride in writing, recording, and producing all their music themselves, which is quite an achievement in today’s music scene!

Their sound is brimming with catchy hooks and draws significantly from the classic rock genre. Plus, they feature a female vocalist, which I have to say I’m a sucker for in music! Let’s dive into “Cash Is King”!

Review

Flower Power

The opening riff grabs your attention right away, making you feel like this track has a lot to offer. However, that excitement fades quickly as the scat-like vocals just do absolutely nothing for me. I’m sure others will completely disagree though!

Even though the rest of the song is quite enjoyable, I know I’d end up skipping it if it played. By the time the song finds its groove, it does get better, but unfortunately, it’s too late for me to fully appreciate it.

Rattlesnake

I’ve probably played this track around fifty times, and surprisingly, I completely overlooked the rattlesnake sound at the beginning during half of those listens. Now that I’ve spotted it, I find it incredibly clever and brilliant!

The energy kicks in right away with the drums and guitar propelling the song forward. The vocals evoke an image of a snake slithering side to side, which I consider a fantastic compliment to evoke such strong imagery! The way the word “Rattlesnake” is delivered is packed with attitude, and I absolutely love it! This track stands out as the fastest on the EP, and I believe that contributes significantly to its impact.

Creatures Of The Night

The track kicks off with an eerie chord progression, seamlessly blending drum and bass to create a funky yet unsettling atmosphere. The chorus, while catchy, leans towards simplicity, and I think a different approach to the whispered delivery of the first “creatures” could enhance its spine-chilling effect.

The line “They wait till I fall asleep, I feel them watching over me” really connects with me. The song’s conclusion is incredibly impactful, and I hope the band continues in this direction. I believe they could license this song to a record label, allowing a heavier band to cover it, and it would still shine! This really highlights the strength of the songwriting.

Promises

The opening chord of the song instantly brings to mind “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses. I’m particularly fond of the guitar section that kicks in around the one-minute mark, along with the steady drum beat that carries the track.

There are times when the vocals leave me in sheer awe, but there are also instances where it feels like the vocalist might be overreaching; sometimes, simplicity can be more effective. However, the highlight for me is definitely the guitar solo at the three-minute mark—it’s truly the standout moment of the entire EP, and I can’t help but break out the air guitar!

Phil’s Picture Palace

I absolutely love the soft opening of the song, featuring stunning vocals that shine through without being overshadowed by the guitar. I wish that delicate balance had been maintained throughout the entire track.

While the EP has its moments of brilliance, I feel it could have benefited from a more subdued song. There are parts of this song that fit the brief, but ultimately, the heavier sections detract from its overall impact. And what’s up with the 16 seconds of silence at the end?

Moving To The City

The polished instrumental at the beginning of this track more than compensates for the conclusion of the previous one. The lyric “Chasing pleasure with time to kill” is simply brilliant! Vocally, this is one of the standout pieces on the EP, so why does it wait until the last song to deliver such a powerful impact?

The hook in this song is irresistibly catchy; I find myself returning to it repeatedly! If I could suggest one change, it would be to keep the chorus entirely female instead of incorporating male vocals. Perhaps adding a second layer of female harmonies or an echo could enhance it, although I see how that might complicate live performances.

Conclusion

This EP is quite impressive overall, featuring some truly outstanding instrumental sections, particularly with the guitar work. While there are a couple of tracks that don’t resonate with me as much, there are also several that I absolutely adore! The vocalist shines brilliantly, though there are moments where dialling back on the tonal variations could enhance the overall effect.

6.5/10

Let us know what you think the EP in the comments section!

All the songs/ images used in this review belong to their respective owners and I or this website does not claim any right over them. All images were provided by AMBER.