Trans Am, The Surveillance (Thrill Jockey) 9
Trans Am are a fascinating band building an unpredictable body of work. I first saw them open for the critically acclaimed Ui a couple years ago. They blew them off the stage with a highly entertaining combination of relatively straightforward instrumental rockers, with occasional passages that came straight out of Rush's 2112, to old-skool beat box jams. I kid you not. They followed up their solid debut album with an EP of hardcore techno. Their next album, Surrender To The Night, was a more atmospheric approach to electronica, with occasional references to early 70s Krautrock. On Surveillance, they retain some of the experimental electronica while combining it with their old, jagged-edged, loud rock and roll. Their most balanced, rewarding album yet.
