Trans Am –
Volume X (Thrill Jockey)
LP/CD/DL
Out Now
Heavy,
electro-rock trio release their tenth album.
You’d almost
be forgiven for thinking that Volume X is a compilation of ten different
artists each presenting one track each.
Trans Am clearly defy definition and are fresh and entertaining for it.
Formed in Washington
DC in 1990 they are known for releasing a string of styles from Krautrock to
metal, from synthpop to folk, mainly instrumentals with dance overtones. Their eponymously titled debut album was
based around improvised instrumental versions of 70s M.O.R. sounding rock
efforts.
From the
almost doom metal beginning of opener Anthropocene to the almost OMD like I’ll
Never, Trans Am seem happy to follow any style which they feel comfortable with
which sees some tracks including the dreaded vocoder (will that thing ever go
away?)
As slight, whimsical
tracks like I’ll Never fade away, mammoth ones like Megastorm emerge begging to
be played at, ironically volume 10 and no doubt in the process rupturing an
eardrum or two. Night Shift could almost be Kraftwerk and Backlash is just
plain mad, frenzied thrash metal.
The mixed up
styles aren’t limited to single tracks either as K Street demonstrates 80s
pre-programmed rhythms, uncontrollable guitars and the line “what’s your
fucking problem?” all in less than ninety seconds. Wonderful stuff.
The opening
riff to Insufficiently Breathless maybe unintentionally steals from John
Lennon’s Woman but it’s a wonderful sweeping almost mystical end to a truly
enjoyable album. Even the prog-rock
style of Night Shift becomes acceptable after a couple of listens, although
trimming a minute off the running time wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Like
label-mates White Hills, their ability to mix and thrash differing styles can
only be applauded, and if this is the sort of stuff that Trans Am can put out
after a quarter of a century together then let’s look forward to the next
twenty-five years.
8/10
Links
Thrill Jockey
Trans Am website
Trans Am on Twitter
White Hills on hiapop Blog
8/10
Links
Thrill Jockey
Trans Am website
Trans Am on Twitter
White Hills on hiapop Blog
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