Transit Inc - Transit Inc (Album)
Sydney based alt-indie electro trio Transit-Inc have recently released their new, self titled LP. Honestly, I didn’t know their last LP, maybe this is even their first. Basically, it doesn’t matter, for this gave Anthony Castellano, Mark Cass, and Rob Russ a chance to show a ‘preconception-less’ writer exactly what they are capable of.
As permitted by the genre, Transit-Inc’s debut self-titled release is heavy on production, effected vocals and soft pop hooks. The 12 track edition isn’t just your average alt-indie electro musical exploration as many times the band hints at some strong 80’s porn influences. It’s a touch that is sure to please some fans, but at the same time, many of the funk inspired licks will draw unattractive attention to B-grade electro styled Incubus B-sides. Largely, however, such criticism is purely subjective nit-picking
Forgetting all that for the moment, Transit-Inc does have quite a unique sound. Knowing when and when not to use their signature ambient organ and keyboard sounds is one of the best assets that this band, and this record, possesses. The Drum Mediasupposedly described their sound as “a bombastic Modest Mouse”, which probably isn’t a too bad description upon first listen. Certainly this comparison is complimentary to the band and their sound. The LP is well paced and structured with distinct sections clearly designed to get you off your arse and dance. The cold hard truth is that this record is simply not intrigue and raw enough to be likened to the punch of Modest Mouse. Personally, I see them more as a “defensively orientatedThe Music”.
Lyrically, Transit-Inc is fairly uninspiring and unimaginative – a note that shines through to their track titles (e.g. Know Yourself, Hey Hey, Running Scared, Free...). Clearly for a band like this, the message is less important than the deliverance, so I will let this slide. Despite such a discount Transit-Inc’s latest effort doesn’t work for me, as an album. The sheer size of this release emphasises a lack of resilience within their own sound. Good ideas are often repeated and re-worked so much so that in the end they lack surprise and intrige from a listening point of view. There is a lot of energy inside this album and there is no doubt that Transit-Inc would be capable of putting on an entertaining live show guaranteed to make you get off your arse and dance.
Essentially there is nothing wrong is the sound, the structure, the instrumentation or the singing. I really wish I could point out some key tracks but I feel doing so would be an inacurate representation of the album itself. Unfortunately for this promising band, there just doesn’t appear to be enough working ideas to complete the album – should’ve stuck with EP’s for one more season. Watch out for future releases.
