[LP] Amtrac – CAME ALONG (w/ “Imprint”)

i feel as if i’ve been cut into a piece of stone

♫ Amtrac – Imprint

Back in August, I reminded you, our readership at TBE, to mark your calendars for September 27th. The date came, Caleb “Amtrac” Cornett released his debut LP, and then seemed to pass just as any day normally would. One thing did not come to fruition that day though, and that is what you are reading now: our thoughts on the LP. Among the many reasons for the delay lies a central one; I really wanted this album to sink in. Pressing play on the album the first time I was quite honestly floored. Was this still the Amtrac I knew? The answer is yes, albeit in different, more complex, form.

Starting off the album is the song linked above “Imprint.” Everything you have come to expect from Amtrac and his signature sound is still very much alive and showcased here: Spinning synths, pounding drums, and powerful chords. The newest addition to his musical arsenal though is much less an electronic instrument, and much more a natural one; his voice. It is present on nearly every song in one way or another, whether is be singing or providing ambient backdrops. “Imprint” sets the very tone for the album, as the LP grows and morphs from there, but never strays very far from the tone set.

There are songs that stand out to me such as “Fame Or Shame?”, “Strange Love”, “Opportunity”, and of course the title track “Came Along.” These songs harken back to the Amtrac of yesteryear, with tracks such as “Venice” and “Overtime” coming to mind, but also integrate the charming, and at times odd, singing of Caleb himself.

But still, even after many listens, I don’t feel as if I can give you a definitive opinion on Came Along as a whole. I think that it would be a disservice to put a label on a project such as this in all honesty. What I can say definitively though is this: Came Along is one of those rare exceptions to the rule. In our current musical era, an album with top notch production quality, crafted with such polish and precision, is a tough thing to come by. This is one of those records.

Artist links: Facebook / Soundcloud / Website