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CD REVIEW: The Amboys - "Everything Between The Moon & The Sun" (3 1/2 stars)

By Gary Wien

originally published: 09/21/2010


The Amboys have been one of my favorite New Jersey-based bands ever since they first started kicking around the Asbury Park area a year ago. Their debut record, "Everything Between The Moon & The Sun" provides brilliant country-infused garage rock and roll that reminds me of Johnny Cash waking up on the wrong side of the bed after an all night binge, taking some speed, and heading out to the local punk rock bar to jam with whoever was on stage. It's got a true kick ass spirit to it.

Songs have the energy of Jason & The Scorchers in the 80s and the bite of Social Distortion. The record features some of the best rock and roll keyboard I've heard in a while -- that great B3 sound found in classic ‘60s garage rock tunes. It's a sound that's timeless, very cool, and rarely used as well as it is here.

"With late nights and heavy drinking, the in-between hours of the moon coming up and the sun coming back around, many things can and do happen. Lost love, one night stands, overdue phone calls, shots of whiskey and too many cigarettes," is how the band describes the record. I'd agree.

My favorite tracks are "Can't Live Here", "Kid In the City", "This Very Thin Line" and "Drunk Mistake".

"She said she could live here, she could live there
She could live just about anywhere
Said there's one thing I just can't do
I can't live here with you."

--"Can't Live Here"



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About the author:

Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].


EVENT PREVIEWS

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.
Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.
The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th

The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.

Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.

Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.

 

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