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When a new artist comes from the urban cubby house of arranged marriages, one must ask, ‘What is it that makes "them" different and/or memorable, beyond the pop culture fishing-net’?... and more to the point, ‘What’s inside these musical constructions that will endure long after you’ve left your ipod’? In fact, I asked myself that extremely poignant question on listening to Transit-Inc's currently released new album.
Having played the tracks back and forth over days and weeks listening and intently hoping to find something different, captivating or verging on the mildly interesting, I have to state, that at this point, Transit-Inc. are NOT the Beatles nor are they Radio Head or even Fergie!! and thank Bloody Christ as not only do they already exist, but am sure we have read the book, seen the movie and can karaoke away with familiarity! And Transit-Inc., well, they sound like Transit-Inc.
Though perhaps its easy to dismiss a band’s first album that doesn’t grab you immediately and think that the production may have taken this album to another level, better than what it may have sounded raw, you can ask yourself, ‘What comes from the rubbish of society? Is this Indy? I think NOT!
Many albums are marked by their uniquely signature sound and this one is without exception. Transit’s self-titled album " Transit-Inc " has definitely got Legs! Characteristically, this is not what you find a lot of these days as a first release and indeed for the music connoisseur a journey is sought and craved for beyond disposable Pop. Transit-Inc’s first track, ‘So Fast’, I found to be a peculiar opener, Indeed, a weird move on behalf of Transit as it borderlines on being captivating and poses many questions as to what’s to follow or what our expectations can be defined as!
This track had Interesting cyber sound and had me frowning most of the time. The track, ‘Start Up’, ok, now we’re talking! The bass-line grabbed me immediately and its’ got a decent, well-formed chorus. OK! I felt like I was now starting to smile. I have to say at this point that having listened and seen hundreds of acts in the last 10 years as a Club Dj and Recording Engineer/Producer, that in total only 2 got my attention, so needless to say I am not moved easily.
So we get to track 3, ‘Spaces’, a ballsy move as this song drifts off into urban soundscape. It’s easy to listen to and indeed the more you listen the less you get tired of it. Fast forward now to ‘Dreamer’, yet again, it’s not an instant slam though memorable and something you can definitely listen to, nice musicality with an appealing vocal yearning that stirred and took me to somewhere I’ve never been.
Now we get to my fave track ‘Eleanor’. WOW! All I can say is WOW! It’s just beautiful! Simple, mesmeric, cyclic and musical. Transit-Inc’s. Anthony Castellano gets a mention at this stage, as his bass lines are ‘cool’, it’s all I can say, nice and cool! Next up, ‘Sown’ is one that conjures lots of imagery. Indeed, a theme that’s dawned upon me over the space of the album.
When it comes to conjuring balls, it takes a lot to hide a track like ‘Lonely Stages’ all the way back at the end of an album. Very, very cheeky indeed and a pleasant surprise. Besides the corny keyboard sound, which should be shot and then mutilated with an axe, this song is a HIT! Transit-Inc’s. Rob Russ penned this one and is just hot rock pop at its best! .... ‘just cant get enough’.
Drummer Mark Cass doesn’t get a mention because he is just a drummer! What he does can be easily replaced by a drum machine, though on seeing the guy live, wow! It’s only then can you really appreciate his playing ability Talk about saving it! This guy is drenched after a show! What I ultimately appreciate is that he holds back on the album in comparison to his live performances and yet again a testament to confidence!
It’s a hard task to sculpt an album that you can listen to.... and indeed as a first release the songs chosen are BRAVE to say the least. What does this say about Transit-Inc.? Having heard albums that I’ve loved with awesome intensity but once like a cheap hooker and then discarded, Transits’ album is something I’ll be appreciating and listening to for a long time.
It has enough simple complexities to keep you interested and indeed mark times and moments of your life. What it did for me is open my mind and allow me to drift off into my own world. The music strongly belongs on a film score of an Independent European movie. It’s classy without being a wank and in today’s’ virtual rubbish bin, it’s a welcome surprise. I’m looking forward to the next one indeed!
Mark De Berard
July 2008