Trans Am - Thing

How does one describe "modern" music? Depending on who you talk to and what you read, the definition can change. The feel and sound of Trans Am has been ever-changing over the past fifteen years. Album to album, TA reconfigures what it is to be a rock band, however they have succeeded in doing this without losing the indescribable essence that is Trans Am. With this year's release of Thing, TA comes closer than ever before to establishing what it is to be a modern rock band and the album wastes no time getting your ass to move after the first track which is aptly titled "Please Wait." Right away, "Black Matter" explodes into a Bladerunner-esque groove with blazing bass synth and vocoder-treated vocals set to pounding drums. "Naked Singularity" and "Arcadia" would fit right against a setting of some post-apocalyptic pub or some outer space outpost full of galactical outcasts. This is rock music that happens to be electronic; a feat that is rarely accomplished, let alone done well. Thing is definitely cinematic in scope but don't think for a second that TA forgot the riffs. "Heaven's Gate" and "Maximum Yield" are chock full of mountainous slabs of guitar hell. Think of a high-gain Surveillance. More tranquil moments on this LP include "Interstellar Drift" and the Krautrock-flavored finish of "Space Dock." TA has mastered the art of soundtracking the past's future, and with this polished scrap, has set a standard for truly modern rock n' roll . If you want the full experience of Thing, turn down the lights, turn up the volume, stare at a Syd Mead painting, and enjoy the rocket ride.