First of all, I have to admit that although Trans AM have been recording for the esteemed Thrill Jockey label since the mid-90s, I had only listened to just a few of their songs before this gig. After seeing their first ever performance in Athens and listening to 2007's "Sex change", their eighth album, my theory is that the sound of the band is the result of trying to imagine Kraftwerk as a punk band. Vocoder vocals and synthesized melodies are propelled by furiously pounded drums and occasional guitar-noise outbursts. Coming from Washington D.C. must have something to do with the band's punk dynamics, but there's also some unexpected prog-rock influences in there that keep the listener guessing as to what to expect next. The punk-rock element of their sound prevailed on this night's fine performance which you can sample below, by watching a clip of the space-rocking "Conspiracy of the Gods", from their latest album, as performed at the Gagarin 205 gig.
.Trans AM - Conspiracy of the Gods (live@Gagarin 205, Athens, Oct.28, 2008)
No comments:
Post a Comment