The question that comes to mind when I listen to tracks from Amy Meredith is... do we need another 80’s tribute band? If I wanted to listen to The Cure, I would take out my well worn copy of Disintegration. If I wanted the Smiths, I would find the great compilation Hatful of Hollow. New Order? Too easy. Even a ‘new’ band like The Killers or much better yet, Bloc Party could partially satiate such a hunger.

So what can I say about Sydney band Amy Meredith?

All of the elements are there – the 80’s tortured vocal style a la Robert Smith or Morrissey, seemingly melodramatic lyrics and subject matter, tonnes of delay and reverb, soaring keyboard synthesizers, a raw bass sound, danceable drum rhythms. Are Amy Meredith more than the sum of their parts?

Yes, references to these and countless others bands are painstakingly obvious. But the truth is, in the modern world of music there is no originality - only reinvention, repackaging, referencing, re sampling.
In this case, Amy Meredith wears their influences quite proudly on their sleeve. It’s a good thing that they are influenced by such great bands. If you’re going to be influenced, then you might as well be influenced by the best. And, truth be told, the bands I mentioned before are some who I do not mind being reminded of.

Now do not get me wrong, the production of their tracks particularly with ‘Running’ and ‘Black Eyes’ is flawless – the machine gun beat of the snare drum, the tastefully sparse guitar, the stop and start, the space travel noises, the wide spaces. Also, the lack of singable choruses adds to an almost progressive, seemingly improvised performance that shows great potential.

But for now, for me, Gloves’ and Fucklites’ remixing of ‘Running’ breaks more ground by updating the 80’s sound into a modern electronic disco realising Amy Meredith’s potential and demonstrating how great, deep and emotive the vocals really could be.

80’s synth rock had a darkness to it that was gritty, magical, melancholic, and uplifting at the same time. It pushed you to the edge. I would like to hear Amy Meredith’s music disappear into that same darkness to incubate. Amy Meredith invited me to go to the edge but I will have to keep listening to their future releases in the hope that I will finally be pushed over.

But don’t take my word for it. According to what I read online Amy Meredith has got a tonne of fans who would disagree with me.

Check them out for yourself on http://www.myspace.com/amymeredithmusic