Alpha Mortal Foxtrot
Spectrum
Alpha Mortal Foxtrot as an alt-rock trio from Jakarta. They list their influences along the lines of Smashing Pumpkins and The National - which you can hear - but listening to their latest track “Spectrum,” you’d be more inclined to think about Rush and Dream Theatre. The ability to smoothly transition between odd metered sections is exceptional. The fluidity of lines from their instruments displays a mastery of their craft. The mix and production are solid, the vocals are honest, and they’re arrangements are complex. This is a band that’s well above their peers.
At first listen to “Spectrum,” you’d think it was a song about the love that one person feels for their partner - how the spectrum of colors represents their passion and commitment to the other person. When you learn that it was written by a man who is learning how to connect with his autistic son, the song takes on an entirely new meaning and hits hard. Here’s our review.
It starts off in 7/4, with a heavy ascending guitar riff. Drums come in with great set of syncopated fills, and the track takes off with the full band going at full tilt, with the bass line and accompanying rhythm part descending. With the first vocal section, the meter switches to 6/4. The mix is exceptional as it leaves just enough room for the compelling vocals. Then we’re back in the head section again in 7/4, this time with more aggression. The vocal section that follows is in four, with a nice radio eq effect on the vocals, then we’re back to the first vocal section again in 7/4, which we know see as the chorus. This time, it’s heavier with a thicker mix, more guitars and guts and heavier punches. With the following sections - primarily solos - it stays mainly in 7, but it also features some nice changes to 4 and 5. Great arrangement here - most bands couldn’t hit this - they’d get lost. The solo work is impressive too - there’s enough changes in the approach from the rhythm section that it never gets old or boastful, despite laying down the same chord progression throughout. The ending is a soft landing in four, and an exhale of joy in the process.
Make sure you check out their other tracks. “No One Will Talk About Us” has much of the same tones, but it’s a simpler vibe than “Spectrum.” Favorite part of this track is the arpeggiated guitar parts. Once again, great rhythm section work - especially the hits that come in around 2:50. “Curfew” is a lovely ballad. If that was the only song you heard from them, you’d never expect “Spectrum” or “Now One Will Talk About Us.”
AMF is one of those bands that gets us excited about music, and doing what we do. For the topics they write about and the level of musicianship, it’s clear that they have the best intentions at heart. They deserve to big on a bigger stage and we hope they get their soon. We love this track!