MUSIC REVIEW: The Amazons - 25

For those who don’t know, The Amazons are a four piece band hailing from Reading in Berkshire. They have had some pretty good exposure to date, particularly on Radio One and MTV over the last couple of years. The band consists of Matt Thomson on vocals / guitar, Chris Alderton on guitar, Elliott Briggs on bass and Joe Emmett on drums.

The track “25” is taken from the band’s recently released second album “Future Dust” which is fair to say has had a lacklustre reception from the critics. Their first album charted at number 8 in the UK album charts but that was very much on the back of the publicity they received from the mainstream media at the time – this time it feels like The Amazons are working on their own and as a result that mainstream success will be much more difficult.

“25” has that distinctive sound that the band found on their first album but somehow feels a little bit self-indulgent, like they are trying to produce a hit single rather than just producing what comes naturally to them. It feels tame and unadventurous from a band that you feel are about to explode onto the scene – they are a hugely talented bunch.

The band have been playing “25” during their recent tours and this probably means fans of the band will already love it but for me there are much better tracks on the latest album. “Doubt It” as an example is a much more mature song and reflects the music that the band should be producing at this point in their journey. “Mother” should definitely be their next single with its fierce chorus and amazing melodies throughout, something far more in line with expectations.

“25” isn’t a song that any fan of The Amazons will dislike and will be generally well received but playing this alongside the rest of the new album and against their first album, just makes me feel a sense of disappointment. They are capable of so much more.

The Amazons are without doubt one of the best up-and-coming rock bands in the UK today and they will eventually be playing the huge arena venues that they deserve but for me they haven’t hit the spot with “25”. They will have to wait a little longer for them to crack the real big time but it will come.

Reviewer - John Fish
on - 25/5/19