Amber (Snider) has the right idea when it comes to putting together a showcase of original material that supports a vocal style that is both raw and expressive. She hired a live band that is both raw and expressive. Her 5-tune EP, "A Sleep to Dream", (plus 6th bonus jam track), starts strong with a tribute to hard passion in "Harder". Lyrically, the words pretty much repeat the advice 'if you want me to stay. .if you don't want me to go away, you better start kissin' me another way. .harder'. The essential 2-chord rocker is a perpetual lesson in less is more - it's a jam with Estrada wailing with purpose. The pace then slows as (Snider) introduces us to several influences. We hear tastes of a New York musical village that hits both Sweet Jane and Merchant in "Sorry for Nothing". The music breathes and band grooves in another 3-chord beauty. A dichotomy exists in Estrada as she extends a sincere apology that is quickly retracted as needless. In the 4th track, the cross-over country appeal opens itself up within an alternative rock vehicle in "Don't Tell My Heart". it's the one song that has storyteller appeal and hooky chorus. "Don't tell me heart it's over, cause my heart won't understand, got a stubborn heart it's been proven, again and again'. Her intimate treatment of the break-down in the tune at 3 minutes reveals a vocal maturity. The final track, "Chaotic Sanctity", is a gem. The kitty strut ambiance with smokey jazz band movement supports Amber's nonchalant Rickie Lee Jones' approach to loose and spontaneous performance. The band showcases their song support - of note are both smooth rock-a-billy dissonant guitar and tremolo-driven Rhodes keys. An instrumental treat of the tune follows for a minute and half in a bonus track 6. Well done and we look forward to more.

The Amber Snider Band

Still Dreamin'