I really enjoyed ‘The Possibility and The Promise’, a record which reminded me of Audio Karate mixed with someone like Ten Foot Pole. I’m from the old-skool of melodic EpiFat bands, that is what I was brought up on as a teenager, and it’s great to hear young bands continuing to play that genre of music. If there’s any justice Amber Pacific will gain enough internet hype to break through and follow Hopeless’ bands like Avenged Sevenfold and thrice to the next level.
After the rather pointless opening of ‘Rule #76’, ‘Summer (In B)’ kicks things off with aplomb, reminding me of latter day Slick Shoes; all fast-paced drums, huge vocal harmonies and a searing guitar riff. It’s a trait the band continue throughout the album. ‘Runaway’ features MxPx‘s Mike Herrera and is fantastic, ‘Temporary’ is a little slower but has catchy vocal hook, while ‘Follow Your Dreams, Forget The Scene’ is a very positive song indeed. The production on ‘Truth In Sincerity’ is very clean and polished and reminiscent of Relient K in places. ‘Take Me From This Place’ sounds massive, while ‘Fall Back Into My Life’ has a huge hook.
With summer around the corner this is one CD I know I will play over and over again – and with some huge hooks and choruses I feel Amber Pacific will be one band to keep an eye on this year.