Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amsterdamned good stuff, 30 Jun 2005
Band leader and singer-songwriter Ian Prowse is no wet-behind-the-ears newbie. He's been producing rousing rollicking songs with choruses the size of a house and sweet sad songs that can melt your heart without ever getting schmaltzy since he was the leader of another shamefully underrated band, Pele, in the early 90s.Those who have followed Amsterdam for some time will be familiar with several of these songs already, and will think of them as old friends. For the newcomers, the sheer immediacy of these tracks will grab you and not let go. Bounce around like an idiot to Taking On The World and You're A Phoney; fight back the lump in your throat, whether you're a Scouser or not, when you hear Does This Train Stop On Merseyside? (the late, great John Peel is reported to have proclaimed it as his second favourite song of all time, and there's no shame in being runner-up to Teenage Kicks). Beat your head on the wall in frustration as the injustice sinks in that bland nonsense like Coldplay sells by the truckload while these guys remain little-known. Finally, put down some cushions so your jaw has somewhere soft to land when you hear the majestic Joe's Kiss, Mr Prowse's tribute to Mr Strummer, for the first time. I'm not usually one for hyperbole, but if there's been a better song written in the last 10 years, I've somehow managed to miss it. Do yourself a favour and buy this CD. Then do yourself an even bigger favour and go and see them live. Can "Prowsey" become an overnight success? After 14 years of trying, it's about flamin' time.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Honest Rock 'n' Roll, 4 April 2006
One of the great mysteries of the last year is how "The Journey" isn't in everyone's collection. Songs like these are written only from years of experience, perseverance, and hindsight.
Ian Prowse, one of music's most honest heart-on-yer-sleeve individuals writes good old honest rock n roll tunes that belies his apparent lack of fame. Only those in the know, as they say, know.
Elvis Costello, Pete Wylie, Ian McNabb, they all know. John Peel, God Bless Him, he knew.
Formed from the roots of another Prowse creation, Pelé, Amsterdam take their no-nonsense stage act into the studio and produce a collection of highly listenable and very emotional songs all with a message to uplift you on those dark moments that only middle-age can bring you. Just put on "Nostalgia" then be snapped out of it and brought back down to earth.
Great songs, "Joe's Kiss", "Does this Train Stop on Merseyside", "You're a Phoney", actually they're all good. And if anyone doubts Ian Prowse's credentials, this is a guy who never sold out Mr Blair.
Good luck to them.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good things come to those who wait!, 14 Jun 2005
It took long enough, but Amsterdam's debut Album is a rip roaring blast of indie pop that has the ability to blow away the cobwebs that have crept over us in the absence of Ian Prowse from the music scene.
But as the man himself rightly says 'Nostalgia, don't do it' and this is not about the past but the future! Prowse is a gutsy songwriter, with an ear for the catchy hook, and the ability to grab you by the privates and drag you into his world, a world of angst and anger (You're a phoney) but also of beauty and passion, (Joes Kiss, John) He has a take on the world that shows how something that could be so wonderful is tainted, but a hope that someday everyone will come round and see sense! (Glorious Day)
As it stands there are a privileged few who know about this band and are aware that in a way this debut album is merely just a starting point on The Journey, and that if you'll let them Amsterdam can take you a whole lot further!
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![The Journey [VINYL]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SQR7XAB1L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
