"And once you hold my hand I'll never let you go..."
The beginning is important in all things
Of all places, I discovered this band through iTunes. They recommended them to me, probably one of the few times they got it right. I hit play on their self-titled debut and instantly dropped everything I was doing to bask in its glory. From the opening distorted guitar and voice of Sel Balamir (guitarist and vocals) I was hooked. Sitting alone in my room at my recently rented and therefore recently moved in to house, in the dark of night, finally getting a moment to myself, the three men and their instruments transformed my mind (the other two being Neil Mahony on bass and Matt Brobin on drums). I essentially played that album on repeat for a few months whenever I could, like a drug. This was back in 2008, and while thankfully I was able to explore their back catalogue, I had not witnessed the release of a new full length Amplifier album. Until 2011.
The action of conversion between the intangible and tangible is the process of entropy
I don't remember when exactly, or how, but I remember the autumn of 2010 as filled with a huge amount of hype and excitement when I heard that the new Amplifier album, The Octopus, was to be released at the beginning of 2011 and that lo and behold, preorders were up soon! (I had already heard, for a while now, rumblings that something was to come from the Amp boys). Rabidly snatching up my special edition 2CD, beautifully bound booklet, signed by the band, and for the most reasonable price I'd ever seen, now all I had to do was bear the wait. Completely self-released by the band from the notes played to it arriving in my hands, I had nothing but admiration for Amplifier. With my already thorough enjoyment of their music, and now getting to hear their newest creation: a 2 hour long album. Each disc containing 8 songs (Octopus, get it? Do you? Really? You sure?) Needless to say my hopes were high. So when my copy arrived in January, armed with my speakers at maximum output and a bottle of wine, I was ready to embark on the journey for myself.
Music only exists within the mind of a listener - it is a type of controlled hallucination
It starts off so noiselessly that you barely know it's playing. The sound of opening track 'The Runner' builds and fades until it comes to a close and you're waiting (im)patiently when once again that guitar sound is ripping through you with 'Minion's Song'. This track is an anthem of sorts to triumphantly begin the first disc properly. The disc continues on a similar note with 'The Wave', the first single from the album. Beginning with a singular bell clang, then distortion, then psychedelically heavy instrumentation, and soon Sel's semi-distorted voice cuts through: "Ladies and gentlemen Please step right up For the end of the world". You know you're about to take a ride with this track. Closing out the first disc is the epic, and with an incredibly awesome title (which, let's be honest, always makes me interested to hear a song), 'Trading Dark Matter on the Stock Exchange'. However I have to say given its title, I wasn't in love at first. This track, coming in at 11 and a half minutes, is pretty long for Amplifier standards, and is indeed the longest track on the album. It took me a lot of listens before I came to love it. Whereas at first I found it a little tedious and thought it could be shorter, preferring to move on to the more gratifying tracks. I have now come to appreciate its complexity. Therein lies part of the beauty of The Octopus: by dusting off the places you didn't think you'd care about, you can find something truly great that you may have overlooked.
Disc 2 begins with 'The Sick Rose', a recitation of a William Blake poem sung by Balamir and set to music. This disc continues on in a similar vein to the first, with similar lyrical themes ranging from general dissatisfaction with society as a whole to a more hopeful look towards our own, personal futures of triumph. Not to say that this disc should be overlooked, or be considered a companion to the first. It is just as packed with incredible music for the listener to dive right into. I would in fact, have trouble saying which disc I like better, they both bring something great to the table. In this case, they are less two sides of the same coin, as I do not consider them opposites. They are much closer than that. They are more akin to twins: same genetic code but slightly different life experiences. Finally rounding out the album is 'Forever and More', and while this isn't my favourite track, it works well as a closer. It has a kind of epic, triumphant end to The Octopus that leaves you satisfied, perhaps the kind of satisfaction you feel after finishing a big, delicious meal.
Music is by its nature irrational
In general, it can be a lot to digest with two full hours of music as well as no song under 5 minutes (save the opening prelude). While I was excited to hear it, I thought I might not be able to take it all in in one sitting. I was wrong. This album engrossed me so much that it just flies by with each listen. It is a lot to hear, certainly, but each listen brings a new favourite part or a new favourite song. The first listen is definitely rewarding, but since there is just so much music on The Octopus, you are unable to take it all in the first time. This was a massive undertaking for so many reasons, but Amplifier pulled it off so smoothly and powerfully, it's hard not to be in awe of the mighty Octopus.
Of the infinite endings there is only one ending which is absolutely correct
Love of this album may not come easily to everyone. Though that is another thing that makes it so rewarding. It gives the listener the distinct feeling of "here is something great", but you realize that you need to put in some work too. That to me, is what The Octopus embodies. It manages to be understated at points and in your face at others, but it is the pieces of the entirety that form the whole. The experience of listening to The Octopus is what gives it its true life outside the speakers.
Of all places, I discovered this band through iTunes. They recommended them to me, probably one of the few times they got it right. I hit play on their self-titled debut and instantly dropped everything I was doing to bask in its glory. From the opening distorted guitar and voice of Sel Balamir (guitarist and vocals) I was hooked. Sitting alone in my room at my recently rented and therefore recently moved in to house, in the dark of night, finally getting a moment to myself, the three men and their instruments transformed my mind (the other two being Neil Mahony on bass and Matt Brobin on drums). I essentially played that album on repeat for a few months whenever I could, like a drug. This was back in 2008, and while thankfully I was able to explore their back catalogue, I had not witnessed the release of a new full length Amplifier album. Until 2011.
The action of conversion between the intangible and tangible is the process of entropy
I don't remember when exactly, or how, but I remember the autumn of 2010 as filled with a huge amount of hype and excitement when I heard that the new Amplifier album, The Octopus, was to be released at the beginning of 2011 and that lo and behold, preorders were up soon! (I had already heard, for a while now, rumblings that something was to come from the Amp boys). Rabidly snatching up my special edition 2CD, beautifully bound booklet, signed by the band, and for the most reasonable price I'd ever seen, now all I had to do was bear the wait. Completely self-released by the band from the notes played to it arriving in my hands, I had nothing but admiration for Amplifier. With my already thorough enjoyment of their music, and now getting to hear their newest creation: a 2 hour long album. Each disc containing 8 songs (Octopus, get it? Do you? Really? You sure?) Needless to say my hopes were high. So when my copy arrived in January, armed with my speakers at maximum output and a bottle of wine, I was ready to embark on the journey for myself.
Music only exists within the mind of a listener - it is a type of controlled hallucination
It starts off so noiselessly that you barely know it's playing. The sound of opening track 'The Runner' builds and fades until it comes to a close and you're waiting (im)patiently when once again that guitar sound is ripping through you with 'Minion's Song'. This track is an anthem of sorts to triumphantly begin the first disc properly. The disc continues on a similar note with 'The Wave', the first single from the album. Beginning with a singular bell clang, then distortion, then psychedelically heavy instrumentation, and soon Sel's semi-distorted voice cuts through: "Ladies and gentlemen Please step right up For the end of the world". You know you're about to take a ride with this track. Closing out the first disc is the epic, and with an incredibly awesome title (which, let's be honest, always makes me interested to hear a song), 'Trading Dark Matter on the Stock Exchange'. However I have to say given its title, I wasn't in love at first. This track, coming in at 11 and a half minutes, is pretty long for Amplifier standards, and is indeed the longest track on the album. It took me a lot of listens before I came to love it. Whereas at first I found it a little tedious and thought it could be shorter, preferring to move on to the more gratifying tracks. I have now come to appreciate its complexity. Therein lies part of the beauty of The Octopus: by dusting off the places you didn't think you'd care about, you can find something truly great that you may have overlooked.
Disc 2 begins with 'The Sick Rose', a recitation of a William Blake poem sung by Balamir and set to music. This disc continues on in a similar vein to the first, with similar lyrical themes ranging from general dissatisfaction with society as a whole to a more hopeful look towards our own, personal futures of triumph. Not to say that this disc should be overlooked, or be considered a companion to the first. It is just as packed with incredible music for the listener to dive right into. I would in fact, have trouble saying which disc I like better, they both bring something great to the table. In this case, they are less two sides of the same coin, as I do not consider them opposites. They are much closer than that. They are more akin to twins: same genetic code but slightly different life experiences. Finally rounding out the album is 'Forever and More', and while this isn't my favourite track, it works well as a closer. It has a kind of epic, triumphant end to The Octopus that leaves you satisfied, perhaps the kind of satisfaction you feel after finishing a big, delicious meal.
Music is by its nature irrational
In general, it can be a lot to digest with two full hours of music as well as no song under 5 minutes (save the opening prelude). While I was excited to hear it, I thought I might not be able to take it all in in one sitting. I was wrong. This album engrossed me so much that it just flies by with each listen. It is a lot to hear, certainly, but each listen brings a new favourite part or a new favourite song. The first listen is definitely rewarding, but since there is just so much music on The Octopus, you are unable to take it all in the first time. This was a massive undertaking for so many reasons, but Amplifier pulled it off so smoothly and powerfully, it's hard not to be in awe of the mighty Octopus.
Of the infinite endings there is only one ending which is absolutely correct
Love of this album may not come easily to everyone. Though that is another thing that makes it so rewarding. It gives the listener the distinct feeling of "here is something great", but you realize that you need to put in some work too. That to me, is what The Octopus embodies. It manages to be understated at points and in your face at others, but it is the pieces of the entirety that form the whole. The experience of listening to The Octopus is what gives it its true life outside the speakers.
First, sorry this is so long, it had to be when it's such a massive album.
Second, all the information you need can be found here (or somewhere close by), so go and see what I'm talking about.
Third...
As you've likely noticed, I used the word "triumphant" a lot in this review. That's because to me, it's the best way to describe how parts of the album feel and sound. By completely self-releasing the whole thing and engineering everything from the creation to the distribution to their tours, you feel like the band is saying a big "fuck you very much" to all those major labels which use and abuse bands to turn a profit. I really can't stress enough what an amazing thing it is for these guys to do. Having had contact with Sel through e-mail and the Amplifier forum, it's clear how much time and effort went into this thing. I truly have nothing but thanks, praise, and admiration for all involved. It's an amazing feat and wonderful that they can share their music with us, the fans. As well as being so available and open to those same fans. It is also important to note that you will see The Octopus on several "Best of 2011" lists, likely they are one of the only ones on there not backed by a label.
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