Amber Spyglass

After the brutality of Tombe my living room comes back to peace with this five track EP. Amber Spyglass is Kelly Godshall on vocals and keyboards and John DeGregorio on guitars and samples. The music this duo brings is filled with seductive melodies and seducing vocals. The tracks are filled with mood swings from ethereal to heavy and lashing. The voice of Kelly is evocative and suits the music perfectly. I was thinking about another band to compare this duo to but nothing enters my mind right now. I heard them described as a dark wave band but I do not agree with that. Amber Spyglass doesn’t bring dark images to my mind but more images of a cold crisp sunny winter day. I will listen to this EP often the next couple of months drinking a glass of red wine while the snowflakes are whirling past my window. (7,5) - Bruno Van de Velde

Coming out of nowhere (well, New England, if you must be precise), Amber Spyglass' debut five song EP is an outstanding first effort that should do much to establish the duo as an act to pay close attention to in the near future. Amber Spyglass is made up of instrumentalist John DeGregorio and vocalist Kelly Godshall with a handful of helpful session musicians fleshing things out. Their sound on this EP is a bit hard to categorize, as there are hints of various influences and genres with none quite leaping out to provide a handy pigeonhole for those who like to do that sort of thing. On first listen, one might think, "Golly, this sounds like a tamed down 3rd & the Mortal", but that's barely accurate. The music is dynamic, allowing for DeGregorio to come up with many builds and crescendos, while aptly supporting Godshall's light, but powerful and sensual singing. The guitars occasionally have an exotic edge to them, occasionally reminding me of early 90s Soundgarden (but very, very slightly) if that band had explored those themes a bit more deeply. The overall feel of the EP is a tad contemplative and introspective, offering more respite than attack in the sound. The lush, haunting qualities may remind some of those older 4AD bands and may very well be of interest to fans of Cocteau Twins or Miranda Sex Garden.

Amber Spyglass is indeed a fine initial foray into music and will appeal to those who enjoy somewhat offbeat music with excellent female singing. Along with Brave (formerly Arise From Thorns), 2001 is proving that female fronted bands are gaining foothold in the music world. Amber Spyglass certainly has caught my attention and leaves me waiting impatiently for a full length. - John Chedsey

Just like the fine showing by Scissorkiss Monday (the singer Amadea is one to watch!), tonight's Amber Spyglass show was very enjoyable. It was great to see Shay and Mike, I don't see them nearly enough, outside of their legendary cocktail lounge parties, the Shay's Lounge series...
So wonderfully rare to see a band with both talented musicians and the energy to hold it together. Beautiful, effortless, and floaty singing from Kelly, and the guitarist, bassist, and drummer were way above the usual club band fare. This is not a club band, their songs are well written and well played, they need to get out of the dives and make an audience. It shouldn't be difficult. The drummer should be cloned, he was that good, and the guitarist used effects to beautiful results, and was impressive. The bass player is too good to hide with his back to the audience as he did, but he will learn, I was told he is new.

I bought the CD, and it yields some very nice surprises, especially the piano introduction to the 3rd song. - Perseus