The Transplants new album is reviewed by Punkupdates.com
This review is well written and takes into consideration all of the many factors that went into the creation of this record. If you want an in-depth look at this album, then this review is a "must read."
"So I know half of the people on this site are going to hate this album. And for once, I won't judge you for disliking one of my favrite new Cds. It is definitley an aquired taste. I say this because, in essence, the Tansplants have created a hip hop album. You need to respect good hip hop to understand what these guys are trying to do. They want to use live instruments, punk riffs, and organic break beats to create the background for a bunch of hardcore guys rapping. Each song is structured like a hip hop track. The drum beats are deep, but the guitars are playing punk progessions. The versus are USUALLY rapped by one of the vocalists and the choruses are USUALLY cathy-ass punkstyle.
The Transplants consist of Tim Armstong (Rancid, Op IVy), Travis Barker (Drummer for Blink 182),and Rob Aston (this is his first project). Rob Aston is handling most of he lead vocals. He has a yell East Coast hardcore yell , yet he is always screaming in hip hop vocal rhythms. His voice is unique, and moving. A lot of his lyrics are of hip hop influences. Travis Barker is of course the drummer. I hate Blink 182 with a passion, but only a fool would deny that Travis is a kick ass drummer. In fact one of the best. It is no wonder Tim wanted to use him on the album. It sounds like to me (and I could be wrong) that they recorded Travis playing a few measures of ahip hop breakbeat style , and then turned it into a repeating sample. You may think that is a stupid idea, but it works really well for the style of music they are doing. And Tim Armstrong's position in this project is reminiscent of RZA or Dan the Automater (2 classic and innovative hip hop producers). Tim is responsible for crafting each song into a hip hop/hardcore masterpiece. He takes what is recorded and concocts a vibe. Tim plays guitar and bass on most of the songs, he also creates synth hits and sound effects, and takes the samples of Travis' drumming and loops and mixes it all together to create the background for one of the most creative side projects ever. Does that description make sense to you? Oh well I 'll guess you'll have to buy this album to see how fucking good it is.
The album starts off with the track "Romper Stomper". This is a good way to get the audience ready for what the Transplants are all about. It is fast. The drums sound like Atari Teenage Riot, and Rob Aston busts rhymes in unison with Eric Ozenne (lead singer of the Nerve Agents). It is hard, catchy, but also has an protruding hip hop theme. It is the perfect opener. The next track is a song called "Tall Cans in the Air". In an interview, Rob Aston describes this as their party anthem. It is fun, but dangerous. This song is the most hip hop style. You know by now that I judge very highly on lyrical content. This track is, unortunately, chocked full of rap cliches. Here are some lyrics examples :"Transplants don't give a fuck" "I'm smoking chronic while your choking on stress" Refrences to "honeys", and "lowrider bikes". This is definitely a track that takes a respect in hip hop to really enjoy. Despite the wack lyrics on this track, it is still a cool track. It is so neat to here Tim's entrance into rapping. If you need help visualizing the way he would rap, think about this: Remember all the dancehall/reggae tracks on Rancid's "Life Won't Wait"(1998)? Well if you notice he does a little rapping over those. Thats what it sounds like on here. Anyways, if all the tracks had lyrics as cliche as on "Tall Cans" then I would have hated this album, but thankfully, the Transplants quickly save themselves from lyrical mediocrity. The next rack is called "DJDJ", and it shows they can create these punk attitude with a groove laced with hip hop. Also, if any of you out there are familiar with Wu-Tang, then you have heard the track "C.R.E.A.M.", where the clan rapps "Cash Rules Everything Around Me, cream get the money, dollar dollar bill y'all". Well on this cd, the Transplants have a song called "D.R.E.A.M.". The hook to this song goes "Drugs Rule Everything Around Me, fiend get the powder, drink another bill y'all!!". It is a cool tribute to a revolutionary hip hop group. The album is not all hip hop. All lot of coruses are those quiet, emotion-drenched vocal lines that Tim is known for, accumpanied by Clash-styleguitar riffs. For example listen to the tribute they have written for dead friends, called "Sad But ture". It is a beautiful track.
There are a few surprises on this Cd. Davey Havok guest stars on the track "Quick Death", and it is so cool to hear his voice edging away from Danzig-core towards rapping. Also, on the track "Diamonds and Guns", the 'Plants invited hip hop great Son Doobie to rap on the third verse of a track about crime in the world. Son Doobie is one of the more talented rappers on the underground hip hop label, Battleaxe Records. He shines on this track, flowing in front of Tim' punk background, hinted with piano trickles. Also appearing on various tracks: Matt Freeman, Brody Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, and Danny Diablo.
What makes this album great is how layered the music is. Armstrong has created these loops of punk inensity and hip hop headbobbing. There are few guest musicians that just leave each track a saturated, intricate composition. The vocals are great too because they are done by some of our favorite punk/hardcore singers, and they are rapping. They are not rapping to mock hip hop, but rather to tribute it. Two styles on opposite ends ofthe musical spectrum. This is without a doubt the only rock/rap mix I have ever heard that contains real talent, passion, and musical credibility.
This is such a cool record, that I would recommend it to anyone. Even if you don't listen to hip hop, maybe the Transplants will turn you on to it. It could turna hip hop head onto punk. If you have not been convinced of Tim Armstrong's creative genious yet, then this will surely change you mind. It is not as amazing as most of Rancid's later releases, but it is great. It is such an interesting sounding track and will leave you happy that good people are making good music still. You won't hear anything like it, ever."
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