The Amazing’s U.S. debut, Gentle Stream, is one swift, airy and smooth number after another. The collection, which has an overall nomadic feel to it, starts off with the title-track. “Gentle Stream” kicks off the disc with a strong, Eastern influenced percussion section and Coldplay-esque harmonies. As the first track comes to an end, the bar is already set for Gentle Stream and the only way to go is up from there. The album continues on and doesn’t seem to have a definite weak point until “International Hair” begins. The start of the third song was promising with its indie pop melodies, but then the vocals come in. Even with the bland tone in Christoffer Gunrup’s voice, “International Hair,” one of the longer pieces on Gentle Stream, ends on a high note with the instruments that end the number. By the time the roughly six-minute song ends, it feels like someone just ran through the woods, jumped off a cliff, and was free-falling into a body of water.
“Gone” is where Gentle Stream seems to hit its peak. The full number surrounds the listener with a plethora of what are likely the band’s influences. For example, there is a slight Eastern feel in the guitar and in the percussion. At the end, there is an African twang embedded within it. The nine-song disc starts closing out with the relaxed and folk-tastic, “When The Colours Change.” The silky piece is as light as a fall breeze on the skin and sets the stage for the finale, “Ghosts,” which ends Gentle Stream on a bouncy note.
Gentle Stream is exactly what the title implies; a soft flow of music that is nothing less than exceptional.
In A Word: Brilliant
