Fading Days

Judging by the hooks and energy that drive its five-song debut EP Fading Days, Federal Way, Washington's own Amber Pacific are a capable collective of emo, pop and punk enthusiasts. Working off of familiar references like Taking Back Sunday and Jimmy Eat World, lead-off track "Always You" has an irresistible charm akin to the Jimmies breakout smash "The Middle." Dashboard Confessional comes to mind as the set-bowing "Here We Stand" unravels and it's a shimmering, acoustic number that sticks in your memory well after it culminates. But the songs are solid straight through, as the Sunny Day Real Estate-inspired "The Last Time" affirms, and although AP are still figuring out what they want to be musically, from a standpoint of energy and passion, this fivesome -- steered by a standout frontman named Matt Young -- has a very promising future.