AMSTERBAND: Beatchen

Amsterband

Beatchen

© 2004 MayApple Records (809812005629)

A highly original midwest rock band, politically charged, ambitious, orchestral.

notes

This would be the band now known as Ha Ha Tonka that records for Bloodshot Records. But before they were Ha Ha, they were Amsterband. Amsterband is progressive in several ways - musically, creatively, politically. This is surprising, given that they have sprung from the decidedly non-progressive Ozarks in southwest Missouri. They may be "round pegs in square holes," according to the Aldous Huxley quote they include in the liner notes of their debut full-length CD "Beatchen," but the best rock and roll has always emerged from the most conservative environments. In fact, Amsterband got their start playing the clubs of downtown Springfield, and those who have bothered to spend any time there will testify to the strong rock scene, and Amsterband appears to be that town's best candidate for the Next Big Thing. "Beatchen" will likely get them there, with radio-ready production and the strong songwriting of frontman and guitarist Brian Roberts.

Roberts formed the band with childhood friend and bassist Lucas Long, both brought up in West Plains, Missouri (2004 population: 10,866). Drummer Robert Mueller comes to the band after having studied his craft in Germany, and multi-instrumentalist Brett Anderson fills out Amsterband's texture with piano and guitar.

"Beatchen" is an impressive and confident debut. It filters out the best of new music to achieve its purposes, borrowing the music-school smarts and irregular rhythms of Radiohead, the passion and forward thinking of Coldplay, and the uninhibited experimentation of The Flaming Lips. The influences stay under the surface, however, and never intrude on the striking originality of this release. The music here is tastefully produced, sparse when necessary, other times fully fleshed out, with strings, horns and orchestral percussion riding on top of the band's expressive playing.

The first single, "Easyover," encapsulates the appeal of Amsterband succinctly: the verses make a convincing analogy between a romantic breakup and fried eggs, followed by a catchy-as-hell chorus, falling into musical cacophony in the middle to be swiftly replaced by a Mozart quote on the piano, all taking place underneath a billboard espousing fellow Springfieldian John Ashcroft's PATRIOT act propaganda. Amsterband keeps you guessing, but more importantly, keeps you listening. Keep listening to Amsterband.

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  • Love this band
    author: Michele

    Saw this band in Columbia, Missouri last night and ran right out to get the CD because all of their songs on here (that they played for us) were awesome! Love the bluegrass and the down home roots, and the lead singer has a really great voice! A unique sound that's a little bit rock and a little bit bluegrass/country.

  • Keep it up! Our country is short on real "voices!"
    author: Sandi

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