Emotionalpunk.com
Media Review
Music Quality: 9.0
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8.5
Tracklisting
2. Black Eye
3. Kill Monsters in the Rain
4. Dakota
5. Alone on the Sea
6. Firecracker
7. A Magazine
8. Diamonds in the sky
9. Leave You Traveling
10. I've let You Go
11. School is for Losers
12. Women I Belong To
I do not fully understand the internal mechanisms that cause humans to judge. Although I had not experienced Steel Train’s previous albums, I recently caught them performing in New York and recall being disinterested. For reasons speculated (my short attention span, the sighting of Alia Shawkat from “Arrested Development” fame, or the building anticipation to see The Format) I dubbed Steel Train as “nothing to get excited over” and moved on with my life. Cue now. When I was chosen to review Steel Train’s sophomore album “Trampoline” I was less than enthralled. I do not know whether to blame my implicit or episodic memory but something was making me want to dislike this album before I even placed it in my computer. However, upon a throughout listen I have to say first impressions can not only be deceiving they can be down right 100% wrong!
“Trampoline” is one of those albums that elevate a band to heights unimaginable. Steel Train’s members -Jack Antonoff (lead vocals/guitar), Evan Winiker (bass), Scott Irby-Ranniar (keyboards), Daniel Silbert (guitar) and Jon Shiffman (drums)- have created a playground of compounded genres that takes risks while never leading the listener astray. Produced by Mark Trombino (who I’m sure you are familiar- Jimmy Eat World and The Starting Line) “Trampoline” is a classic rock / folk / psychedelic rock / pop layered joyride that urges you to ball up your 5-year-plan and hit the road, destination unclear. Comprised of tracks that would merge perfectly on the “Dazed and Confused” soundtrack, ST demonstrates a full spectrum of sounds from wailing guitars to moody keyboards to lighthearted xylophones.
Lyrically, Antonoff from the opening sentence of “I Feel Weird” where he states, “When I was eighteen everything was alive, then the planes hit the towers, then she died and he died…” metaphorically bleeds all over this album. He parades his open chest, reflecting on seemingly unmanageable personal loss while we get to sit in the dining car tapping our toes. Seriously, songs engendered from loss, memories and letting go have never sounded so hopeful or so bubbly.
Steel Train definitely takes you on a fun, eclectic ride. “Trampoline” has raised the bar for not only the band’s personal mastery of their craft but for the genre as well. The musicianship on this album is perhaps what your mp3 player has been missing lately. Moreover, the reflective storytelling ability of Jack Antonoff should be cherished, or at bare minimum appreciated by anyone who claims to “love music”. Steel Train has firmly altered my initial perceptions. Thankfully, because of fate or coincidence, I was assigned this triumphant release which is going to remain in heavy rotation for some time.
Déjà vu who? - The Format, Bruce Springsteen, An Angle
Open Road Anthems - “Kill Monsters In The Rain”, "Alone On The Sea”, "Leave You Traveling”, “School Is For Losers”