Amplifier are a rock band from Manchester that make heavy use of guitar effects. Each of their releases use a different approach to production and songwriting on a given rock subgenre. As a result, you come to expect the unexpected. 2010’s The Octopus was a two hour conceptual space prog opus four years in the making. Then this successor took only two months to record.

Echo Street is a subdued affair, immediately apparent by an opening minute of distant ambience. So faint, you may reach for the volume before an affected-vocal and slow-strummed guitar takes over. Extended track lengths are brought over from The Octopus however they are less riff-oriented. BPMs slow down in favour of tension-filled sections. Dynamics also take hold with some ecstatic highs thrown into the mix. For instance, soaring guitar heroics sending out 12 minute “Extra Vehicular” harken back to the psychedelic metal of Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil. Three-part vocal harmonies of intimate interlude “Between Today and Yesterday” sees the band also taking a step into folk waters.

The result is more head-nod than headbang, but this headphone-enhanced atmospheric journey hit the spot for me.