.INSIDER by AMPLIFIER. 2006. . .The second album by the Manchester three piece has a lot to live up to. The debut was a masterclass in thrilling modern prog rock and 2005's EP 'The Astronaut Dismantles Hal' added more sheen and sci-fi imagery into the mix. Insider offers even more: more complex song structures, more crisp production and more mental Keith Moon-style drumming with layer upon layer

. .upon layer of fuzz and distortion. Needless to say it doesn't dissapoint. Gustav's Arrival sets out Amplifiers manifesto from the first shriek of feedback. The guitars are straggering, big and heavy, and quickly give way to the bands most original element: Sel Balamir's amazing lead guitar hooks. Listening to them is akin to being a passanger driven at top speed along a winding mountain road

. .with a madman at the wheel. The album itself consists of a range of variations on their central sound. Sometimes the sheer wall of noise (god knows how many guitar overdubs each song must have) detracts from the tunes, other times it's integral. While perhaps lacking as much variety as previous releases , their is certainly enough here to get very excited about, in particular Of Foruon, Strange

. .Seas Of Thoughts And Proceedures, make an instant impression, balancing the crazed guitar riffs with memorable tunes and vocal phrases. The only criticism is that after such an explosive opening, the album struggles to reach such dizzy heights again. However, this is nit picking, and if you like intelligent non mainstream rock (think Oceansize, Tool, Cave In) then this is for you. . .end.

Yeah, and I've got seven seconds of it! @shabutie - that is a most excellent Jack White quote.. and absolutely true.. you do come across people who have NO zep at all (the zepless). This is a TERRIBLE AFFRONT in a civilised society.. next time you see someone in a doorway who could do with a bit of Black Dog (should they not already have one) DONATE your copy of Zep IV...

Hey i didnt want to stop the chat guys

Ah those 7 seconds are the best @ garion ! Actually its a quite blistering sound but a bit samey in places, the Sabath/Hawkwind tags are accurate, but the review guy was right in that the guitars often bludgeon the tunes, but hey its not such a bad thing

Ah yeh re Wolfmother, still didnt get it but intend to, it sounds like one of them albums that you know you cant dislike

Was Checking Out The Other Band Earlier. Fire Come Soon by Grand Volume Sounds Great!

Really? they were pretty good, quite a melodic/heavy rock sound. . .ah can you make it a link to download hehe

'Twas Just a Sample Of 1 Of Their Song. Did U Add More Vids Aaron?

Morcheeba - 'Who Can You Trust'

@ Your #7 Review. I Had Aqualung On My List.. Bt @ Num 14.

Yeh, i put one more up bev, its 205kb. Hope it works for ya. Hey nice chill out music @ garion

Ah i missed your comments @ shabutie, no i didnt get to hear much CoCa at all, beyond bits and bobs, but its top of the want list for sure, even more with the Kashmir a-like comments, PLUS any guy with hair like that is never going to make boring music

.... pretty smile~ pull yourself into.. *something* with me~ lol that's all I can make out from their song. Great vids Aaron!

Was that Amplifier or Grand Volume? @ your last video

'Let me bring you Songs from the Wood, to make you feel much better, than you could know, (dust you down from tip to toe - hold steady as you go) join the chorus if you can... it'll make of you an honest man.. ' (or woman, obviously 'cos we're SO politically correct..)

The last or fourth vid just so i dont get mixed up, is Ampilfier, its the 3rd thats Grand Volume. They could make it quite big methinks.