Welcome to AmpedReviews.net
We have been around since 2006 and bring you the best of CD and Live reviews aswell as Interviews with bands, features and live photography! If you're interested in appearing on or writing for the website please get in contact
Following their critically acclaimed debut album The Back Room, Editors were going to have to work hard to build on their success, which included a top ten single, #2 album, and a Mercury Music Prize nomination. The Back Room was full of good tunes and singles like Blood, Munich and Bullets were mind-blowingly good live.
The decision to get Jacknife Lee (Bloc Party, U2, Green Day, Snow Patrol) to produce the album was in keeping with their new “more ambitious” approach, but made me apprehensive about how the album would sound. Bloc Party’s latest album A Weekend In The City was also produced by Lee, and although they also built on their success from a raw-sounding debut album, Jacknife Lee does have a habit of making everyone sound like Snow Patrol. His music is comfortable for the mainstream, and somewhat plastic-sounding. However, I digress, because Jacknife Lee can certainly do “epic”, and ambitious Editors have certainly gone more “epic” here.
Opening track and single, which will be released a week before the album, Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors begins quietly and thoughtfully, before opening up into an almost trademark-Editors guitar part, high-pitched and expansive, which gives an amazing feeling of space as Tom Smith sings “now run as fast as you can / through this field of trees”. This track is a worthy opener, and a worthy single, with a chorus that really hits you, in the heart.
“Someone turn me around. Can I start this again?”
The title track, An End Has A Start is a slice of genius which will no doubt be a future single, or at least a live favourite. Equally expansive as the opener, it’s pure Editors and, as always from Tom Smith, the vocals are breath-taking and the lyrics are inspiring.
The album is only ten tracks long, but you don’t have to look too far for the next highlight. Bones was previewed live well before the album was even being considered, written just after the completion of The Back Room. Equally good on record as it is ringing through Manchester Academy 1, Bones is addictive, and has yet more beautiful lyrics.
Unfortunately, this album must be criticised for a lack of stand-out tracks, and too many lengthy ones. The album does, however, have much to offer that’s similar to the likes of Camera and Fall off their debut album. These open, sweeping tracks might not grab you in the same way as a single like Munich, but are interesting in a different way. The Racing Rats is good, and Escape The Nest adds a more energetic track to the mix.
Overall, An End Has A Start is a good follow-up album, but isn’t nearly equal to its predecessor. I always find debut albums to be the most exciting, and often the best, but this album offers a lot to new Editors fans and long-time fanatics alike, but not enough to be worthy of the acclaim that they received for their first studio album. Not disappointing, but not enthralling either.
Interview with Poets of the Fall
We spoke to Poets of the Fall about their new record label and the Finnish music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Sean Flowerdew from Pama International
We spoke to Sean Flowerdew from Pama International about the last ten years of the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Mika Tauriainen from Entwine
We spoke to Mika Tauriainen from Entwine about the future of music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with The Winyls
We spoke to James and HC of the Winyls, the Finnish band that is said to combine exciting tunes, live mayhem, blood, sweat and tears into their music. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Larry Love of Negative
We recently spoke to Larry Love of Finnish rock band Negative, about his inspirations, their musical style and comparisons to classic rock bands. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with MiMi Soya
We recently spoke to Brighton based pop rock outfit, MiMi Soya about their brand new EP 'I Can't Stand Pop Bands,' their recent success and what is still yet to come from the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Behinds the scenes with My Darkest Days
We recently went behind the scenes with My Darkest Days on their July 2010 tour, opening for Sick Puppies alongside It's Alive and Janus.
Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies
We recently spoke to Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies about Rock Prophecies, who he would like to share a stage with and what's new about their recent tour.
It's Alive
We recently spoke to It's Alive about their recent tour in support of Sick Puppies and shooting the video for their single 'Pieces.'
Tommi Thunder from Suicide Love Boat
We spoke to Tommi Thunder of Suicide Love Boat about the band’s scam tour to Germany, stolen guitars, cut fingers, lost brothers, playing drunk and many others. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Jonas Karsten from Vanity Beach
We talked to Jonas Karsten of Vanity Beach about their long-awaited second album ‘A Life of Vice’, a new line-up and producer and many other curious sidelights. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Dead Confederate
We spoke to Dead Confederate during the last day of SXSW about what they've been up to and their new album READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Burn The Fleet
We spoke to this Southampton based group about their local music scene and how they are breaking out from it. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Silent Disguise
We spoke to metal band Silent Disguise about their journey to where they are today and what is on the horizon. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Phillip Edwards from Boys With X-Ray Eyes
We spoke to drummer Phillip Edwards about the bands rise since their debut. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Gustav Wood from Young Guns
We talk to the young front man about the Kerrang! Relentless tour and what it feels like to be an unsigned band that is currently making huge waves in the rock music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Lost Prophets
We talk to Lost Prophets about their new album 'The Betrayed' and their current tour of the UK READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Funeral For A Friend
We talked to Funeral For A Friend members Darran and Gavin about their new 'Greatest Hits' album and how Gavin felt about joining the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Angel Ibarra from Aiden
Back in June we talked to Aiden guitarist Angel Ibarra about the new record and the recent troubles that the band have faced. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
