TRANSIT-CAST - TRANSIT-CAST

Transit-Cast is another band I saw play live the other night.  They're a local Salt Lake band and they opened the Electric Six/In The Whale show.  I wasn't sure what to think about them when they first started.  I had a hard time understanding what they were saying but that was due to the crap sound at the club.  Once I got past that, I thought they were pretty good.

They're not a flashy, over the top sorta group, but they're solid and the members play well together.  The lead singer has a strong tempered voice in the tradition of rock bands.  The biggest difference between this group and the more standard fare metal would be the subject matter they tackle with their lyrics.  The songs of love are taken from a place of devotion.  

The music is pumped up and rockin'!  The disc maintains a strong tempo all the way through and it's enjoyable to listen to.

Now here's where I'm gonna be a little rough with this group...  It's obvious from the music on the disc and the live performance, that these guys are all fairly experienced.  They're great on their instruments and they know what to do.  They play in the pocket together and everything is right in line...  But I feel like the music isn't where it should be.  They're not challenging themselves or breaking any new ground.  With as much experience as they have, they shouldn't be relying on such formulaic songwriting to fill an album.  

I love a lot of their ideas and I think the songs are nice, but they lack that "umph!" a good rock band needs.  Let's take the song 'Bullseye' for example...  It's got a huge amount of potential.  It's got a hook in the guitar bits.  It's a little busy and could be more power chord, more simple, but when the song starts, that hook is played lower in the mix.  It should rage and be right up front.  Everything should bow before it.  The lyrics offer the vocalist a chance to scream, shout, drone or even speak lyrics.  But he sings in the steady voice he's used throughout the entire disc.  There's no variation or change up.  Of all the tracks, this one to me shows the most potential lost in the arrangement.

I think the right producer could challenge this group and get them to kick their game up a notch.  Let's face it, metal singers are a dime a dozen.  You've got guys with great voices singing in their showers and garage bands all over the world.  The groups that cross over or really make it do so because they bring something unique and different to the game.  Both Electric Six and In The Whale do a great deal of work on the vocal arrangements.  In both cases, they've developed a sound that can be associated with them alone.  Transit-Cast hasn't found its voice yet.  But its there.  It really is.

The biggest concern I have for this band is without pushing themselves and their songs, the group can easily sound dated.  If that's what they're trying for then they've captured the 80's hair band sound exactly.  If they're trying to do something new and exciting, it's time to shake things up.

This is a sensible band.  A group of great guys who I'd like to see more of and who I'd like to see do more with their music.

They gave copies of their album out for free at the show.  I think you can get a copy through their facebook page.  Just search for Transit-Cast.  At the end of it all I think this is a great band with a lot of potential.  My final words:  ON THE VERGE OF FINDING THEIR VOICE AND SOUND!  AN INTERESTING DISC WELL WORTH LISTENING TO.

TRANSIT-CAST - TRANSIT-CAST
01. Red Red Roses
02. Beautiful Babies
03. Of Love
04. Come Over
05. The Good Ones
06. Something Out There
07. Disco Chicks
08. Follow Into This
09. Bullseye
10. Maybe
11. Count The Clocks

IN THE WHALE - CAKE

In The Whale is a band from Denver, Colorado.  They are a guitar and drum duo currently on tour with Electric Six and these guys can really bring the noise.  As I do with most bands I see playing with E6, I looked In The Whale up online before I actually saw them play.  I like to have an idea as to whether or not I'll like a group before I see them live.  I immediately liked what I was hearing.  This is an exciting group!

They had three discs on sale at the show and I picked up all three...  I'm reviewing "Cake" first because it has my current favorite song by them on it.  Of the four songs on this disc, 'Heels' is my favorite but all of them are quite compelling and listenable.  In the tradition of The White Stripes, Pucifer and Little Hurricane, this group rocks you relentlessly from start to finish.

Although the sound at the concert wasn't all that great, (in fact, it was absolute crap), you could still get the feeling for what they were capable of bringing.  Live, they are dynamic, engaging and a lot of fun!  In person, they were friendly, shy and even flattered by attention.  Definitely a group worth following and hearing more from.

I can't recommend this group enough.  You won't find their CDs through traditional means.  You can find them on bandcamp though.  And I believe you can order a physical copy of their "Cake" EP there.  All of these tunes are worth owning so don't wait!  Go pick up yours today!

My final words:  AN EXCITING NEW VOICE IN ROCK MUSIC EMERGING FROM THE ROCKIES!!!!  YOU WANT THEM, YOU NEED THEM, GO GET IT!!!!

IN THE WHALE - CAKE
01. 34-28-32
02. Woman
03. Heels
04. Shall Not Be Moved

VANDAVEER - THE WILD MERCURY

Vandaveer is a folk rock group from the DC area via Kentucky.  This record is the newest release from the band and I had the pleasure of seeing this group perform in a rather intimate setting.  I saw a living room show.  It was dramatic and amazing.

Stripped down to some simple acoustic arrangements, the performance was mesmerizing and more than I ever thought it would be.  I absolutely loved watching this soulful poet sing and play his guitar with his group accompanying him.  It was a heavenly experience.  One I hope to repeat again in the near future.

I'm aware of the band enough to be familiar with their music and I have to say, this new album is somewhat quieter than previous efforts.  It seems more comfortable and relaxed.

I'm still digesting this record.  Vandaveer is one band with some seriously complex lyrics and some tricky vocal arrangements allowing them to play with the ideas and concepts they're trying to convey with new dimension and vocal inflection.  Thus far, I love the disc and I usually just put it in and let it play.  I like some songs more than others, but not to the extent I would say any of the tracks on the disc aren't enjoyable.  I like every single cut on this record enough to consider the entire disc a hit.  They really did a great job on this one.  It's absolutely delightful.

For those of you who aren't in the know, Vandaveer have two vocalists.  Mark Weidinger and Rose Guerin.  They harmonize together on the songs.  Weidinger takes the lead and sings solo bits without Guerin, but when she joins him, the sound their voices create is something unearthly and emotive.  You can't help but feel the songs washing over you like warm water.  It feels both relaxing and thoughtful at the same time.

I will say this record has more of a country vibe to it than previous efforts, but it's a most satisfying listen.  Weidinger actually reminds me of a more clear and melodic Bob Dylan.  He also demonstrates a preoccupation with life and death.  But not in a morbid way.  Rather, he spends his time wondering about the minutes and hours in between birth and death.  How we fill our time and what we choose to focus our energy on.  His musings are challenging, thought provoking.  He's a thinking man's Dylan.

I can't say enough about this lovely piece of music.  All I can do is suggest you pick it up and if you get the chance, see this incredible band live.  They are, for lack of a better word, enchanting.

My final words:  SPELLBINDING MUSIC AS ELUSIVE AND MYSTICAL AS WILD MERCURY.  BUY IT!!!

VANDAVEER - THE WILD MERCURY
01. But Enough On That For Now
02. A Little Time Off Ahead
03. The Wild Mercury
04. A Little Worse For The Wear
05. Holding Patterns
06. Love Is Melancholy, But It's All We've Got
07. To Be Young, To Belong
08. The Final Word
09. Absolutely Over The Moon
10. A Pretty Thin Line

ANNIE LENNOX - NO MORE "I LOVE YOU'S"

I don't remember where I picked up this single but I do remember why I bought it.  It was shortly after I'd seen Bram Stoker's Dracula and Annie Lennox sang the last song played during the credits.  'Love Song For A Vampire'.  I looked for an album of hers that included the track but I couldn't find it anywhere.  So long before I bought "Medusa", I picked up this little gem for one of the b-sides included.

Still, the strongest song on the disc is actually the title track, 'No More "I Love You's"'.  This is a German single and it comes in a slim case like most European singles do.  There were three tracks and the second was a Joni Mitchell cover.  It's actually a nifty little release and special because at the time I wasn't aware you could find 'Love Song For A Vampire' anywhere else.  I'm sure you can now, but back then I was all about owning that tune.

Once again, it's a nice single.  Great to have three quality tracks on the one disc.  It's a nice quick listen and enjoyable all the way through.

My final words:  A SPECIAL TREAT ROLLED UP IN A LOVELY PACKAGE.

ANNIE LENNOX - NO MORE "I LOVE YOU'S"

01. No More "I Love You's"

02. Ladies Of The Canyon

03. Love Song For A Vampire

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA

I bought my version of "Nightlife" when it came out and I got the limited edition with the bonus tracks.  If I'm not mistaken, "Very" was the first album they started releasing a limited edition version.  You could buy "Very" by itself or with the bonus disc.  The release with the bonus disc was called "Very Relentless".  My version of "Nightlife" is actually called "Nightlife Extra".  I remember I bought it in Asheville, NC.  It was in a part of town I normally didn't spend a lot of time in and I think that was the only time I went to that CD store.  Otherwise, I didn't do a lot of CD shopping while I lived there.

From what I've learned since this album came out, there was a lot of build up to "Nightlife".  They were writing and producing a play called "Closer To Heaven" and some of that material shows up on this set.  This was a highly anticipated record and yet at the time, I had no clue it even existed before I saw it in the store.  I missed out on the hype.

I love the music PSB did in the 80's.  I think it's great!  And quite honestly, although I didn't always start out liking the music they did in the 90's, but I eventually came around and to this day, some of that music is my favorite by them.  That's kinda how I initially viewed "Nightlife" when I listened to it for the first time.  I remember thinking it would be better after repeated listening.  However, unlike "Bilingual" or "Very", "Nightlife" never grew on me.

On their own, the songs on this album are OK.  I don't consider them strong classics, but they're fine for what they are.  Most of the material sounds to me like a transitional phase the duo were going through.  Like they were trying to distinguish between songs you'd write for theater and songs you'd put on a pop album.  They've always had a knack for writing some off the wall bits here and there like 'Your Funny Uncle', but they've never filled an entire album with it.  I like most of the songs, but I'm not excited about any of them.  

'Vampires' is one song I sometimes come back to.  I like the tune even though I think the lyrics are a bit too sad.  Like they were chasing after a trend, trying to capitalize on the interest in vampires at that moment in time.  That doesn't stop me from singing along and finding the whole thing rather catchy even though I feel foolish about the words I'm vocalizing.  On the other hand, 'Happiness Is An Option' is a song I think is lyrically quite amazing and positive.  I highly subscribe to the philosophy set forth in this small, unorthodox tune.  'Radiophonic' is another track I think is noteworthy.  Of course I have the singles from the album are pretty good and some of the mixes on the singles are great.  But I'll save those for when I review them.

The second disc is actually a better choice for me when it comes to material.  Right off the bat you have 'The Ghost Of Myself' which I absolutely love.  The single b-sides, 'Casting A Shadow', 'Je T'aime...Moi Non Plus', 'Silver Age' and 'Screaming' are all highlights for me and with the exception of 'Silver Age', I think they're stronger than the album tracks they support.

Of the mixes that also appear on the Extra disc, I love the mixes for 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More' and I like a couple of the 'New York City Boy' mixes.  So the Extra disc is definitely the stronger of the two for me.  I enjoy it quite a bit.

I don't have much more to say for this album.  I wish I was more impressed with the material and I really wanted to like it.  I could say maybe one day I'll pick it up and realize what a masterpiece it is like I did with "Bilingual", but I don't see that happening.

For me, this album sorta broke a fan spree I was on with PSB.  I stopped picking up singles and waited to buy subsequent albums instead of rushing right out.  It's a shame really.  Still, I'm happy this record exists and I think my limited edition packaging is super cool.  It's worth having!

My final words on "Nightlife":  LIMITED EDITION IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO WITH THIS ONE FOLKS.  SKIP THE SINGLE DISC.

PET SHOP BOYS - NIGHTLIFE EXTRA
01. For Your Own Good
02. Closer To Heaven
03. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More
04. Happiness Is An Option
05. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
06. Vampires
07. Radiophonic
08. The Only One
09. Boy Strange
10. In Denial
11. New York City Boy
12. Footsteps

BONUS CD
01. The Ghost Of Myself
02. Casting A Shadow
03. Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
04. Silver Age
05. Screaming
06. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (The Morales Remix)
07. I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More (Thee Maddkatt Courtship 80 Witness Mix)
08. New York City Boy (The Superchumbo Uptown Mix)
09. New York City Boy (The Almighty Definitive Mix)
10. New York City Boy (The Thunderpuss 2000 Club Mix)
11. New York City Boy (The Lange Mix)