The Amazing The Amazing fell far from the tree. A natural process: slowly crystallizing into a collective – pushing, bending, then playing with any preconceived notions of pop. When a band takes a name like The Amazing, they’d better have the chops to back it up. Happily, this Swedish outfit – a collective headed by Reine Fiske and singer-songwriter Christoffer Gunrup – are masterful enough to take that mantle on. As friends first and foremost, it’s the band’s kindred spirit that imbues the album with a feeling unlike that of most releases – one of natural harmony, persistent progression, and with a panoramic gaze fixed on distant settings. Gentle Stream is widescreen, panoramic, horizon-reaching stuff. An elegantly constructed record of moody psychedelic majesty; it comes with a great dose of CSNY-style Laurel Canyon bliss. Its nine songs clock in at a luxurious 50 minutes, during which astral guitars intertwine in serpentine solos, horns blast rainbow melodies, and Gunrup’s flute-like voice floats elegantly over the sunset sounds. Nothing is introverted or overworked – between the natural melodies and soulful vocals, everything is kept in perfect balance. Gentle Stream is a feeling, an organic consequence of something that effortlessly came together. Completing the line-up with Fredrik Swahn, Alexis Benson, Johan Holmegard, and highly rated jazz drummer Moussa Fadera, The Amazing recorded their LP in Stockholm, Sweden, and plotted their path in this incredible unison. There are countless stories to be told, including playing a show for the Swedish Royal Family and Pink Floyd, where audience member Roger Waters appreciatively caught a bouquet thrown by the band during a standing ovation. This mysterious band holds one principle dear to their hearts: “The music speaks for itself”. $12