Roy Weard - This House In Amber

​Roy Weard

​This House In Amber
self-released; 2017

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Since the ’70s Roy Weard has been making music. He worked as a sound engineer and played in bands. His first solo effort This House In Amber was recently released earlier in the year. His music certainly sounds like it's from the ’70s. In fact the production is similar to the ’70s as well. The songs aren’t nearly as loud as most commercial releases. 

​The songs are mostly rock based but he certainly has a flair for the dramatic. I mean that in an Alice Copper and Pink Floyd type of way. The songs felt theatric at times as if they could be in a play. Up first is “In Amber” which certainly seemed to have some Pink Floyd influence. The lead guitar tone alone has a similar aesthetic. It’s a seven-minute song that eventually gets the energy from the bass line and drums. It also reminded me a bit of songs you might have heard during a montage from an 80's film. Almost Rocky-esque. That energy never stops once it starts. 

Speaking of energy the second track “Life's All Surprise” is more subdued. Up into the two-minute mark the song feels very theatrical. It goes into some interesting territory and felt quite vast. You could call it epic but then what would I call the truly epic tracks like “Losing Your Grip.”

“Drugged” does some chaotic rocking out with the benefit of horns. The horns really made this track work for me. “The Lights Go Out” was a bit more prog rock based with lead guitars, more vocalists and high energy. “Losing Your Grip” is almost ten minutes long and is very atmospheric and dreamlike. He closes with “This House (rests)” which definitely deserves the title of epic. 

For as much effort as went into the songwriting and arrangement I wanted the production to be a little better. There could have been some clarity with the frequencies and better control with the dynamics. 

Overall, This House In Amber is an impressive solo effort from Weard. The songs are sprawling and inventive while obviously having influence from previous decades. Recommended

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