From chicagogigs.com

At the start, Echosend offers up a mixed bag of muted grunge--jangly, too--but the guitar solos have little to do with REM or Nirvana and maybe more in common with a genetic mutation involving Jane's Addiction-era Dave Navarro. In front of this tight, fluid band singer Amy [Topor's] the throaty thread holding it all together. Her overlaid vocals (fans on the band's site compare her to Gwen Stefani) are full, vibrant and soaring. The crunching chorus after the moody buildup on the epic over 7-minute title track, "I Promise You," is disarmingly dramatic and as the song lingers there's a sort of eighties feel, especially in guitarist Dan deRamos' achingly schreechy guitar solo. As the disc goes on, he displays a talent for hair metal, grunge, new wave, funk, the whole shebang. Versatile and commanding on the next song, "That Girl," he threatens to take over but between the rock steady soul groove of drummer Kurt Puckhaber and keyboards of John Mead it's a glorious wah-wah pedalled ball of noise. But not too noisy, mind you--part of the eighties sheen comes from compression and slick production, which is why the soulful bashing of their live track "Not Original" comes as a welcome sharp shock of sun after so much haze. The band says they write from improvisation, and it's apparent in such free-flowing jams such as the title track. In another vein, "Be Alright" is so unassumingly pretty with its piano and acoustic guitar and could easily make it on adult contemporary circuit. As a jam band with an unmistakable groove, Echosend are compelling. A little editing couldn't hurt, and a little rawness to the production would make this reviewer happy, but it's obvious they've got a good working vibe and it comes through regardless of the details.
Review of Echosend's latest CD release "I Promise You"
by Antonia B. Johnston of chicagogigs.com

Following are random excerpts from various listener reviews.

A really excellant production and a very solid song ["I Promise You"], matched with some great performances...

Nice intro [on "Let Me In"], cool reverb on the guitar and drums, nice groove, killer female vocalist, keep up the good work, nice production.

I really liked this song ["Don't Say A Word"] for the mood. I really like this style of song. Kinda tired, and mystreious. It was really cool. I also liked the part around 2:30 when the music soared up and really got heavy, that was cool. The lead vocal was good, the voice fit the song very well. A kinda mellow~~~ voice. The piano was one of the greatest things in this song. It really added so much to the atmosphere.

Awesome job. The music is fabulous. Vocals come set good to the mix. Harmonies are a nice touch. They work well with the sound. The "will you hold me" [from "I Promise You"] comes over the first vocals smoothly. There's an unexpected attitude to her voice that I didn't suspect when she first started singing. Good bitterness in her voice - lead guitar works well It build the song to a new level. The mood is bitter and foggy. When the lead guitar comes in, you can hear the anger in it. Great use of music emotion.

This ["Let Me In"] has a relly cool sound! I especially like the intro, it's got kind of a spacy feel, and the way it launches into the main guitar riff is well done. I also like the female vocals. Very well done track all around.

Excellent Vocals [on "I Promise You"], that's what first stood out to me. It has good transitions, the song flows well. The solo fits well with the music. I can't find any negative criticism, good job overall.

Madonna sounding singer. Professional production. Drumming is great. If the lead guitar and bridge went a little bit more off the traditional path, I'd give this song ["Let Me In"] the highest rating. This is a wicked song. Congratulations.

The dynamics of the chorus [on "I Promise You"] really stand out to me. I like the conviction of the lead vocal. Extra credit! yeah, I dig the guitar solo. Really kicking things up a notch. Good tasteful player.

Like the intro [of "Let Me In"]...vocal track is strong with just the right amount of emotion...the arrangement and musicianship (particularly the lead guitar) is solid, but the vocals carry the song through...guitar solo is very nice...wish I could play like that...Strong overall track.

All review snippets taken from garageband.com and are the property of their respective owners.

<< home