TXS - review added 2nd March 2009
Album Review: Transmission X (2009)
For fans of: hard rock... and Def Leppard covers
Norwegian band TXS have a style described in the press blurb as 'an exciting blend of traditional hard rock with extremely commercial overtones'. You read a lot of cr*p in press releases, but this certainly ain't far from the truth. They have an interesting, racy sound that remains resolutely upbeat, even during the downer moments.
Dag Aspen (vocals), Kenneth E Kristiansen (guitar, vocals), and Terje Smedfold (drums, vocals) have been playing together on and off since 1996 when they were in a band called Hush. On the TXS project they are joined by Kjell Reierstad (bass, vocals).
'Who Will You Run To' has a fresh modern charty feel with a chorus as bright and sparkling as a spring sunset. 'Chameleon Man' is a catchy little number too, with a faux-funk groove driving the track along.
'Time To Say Goodbye' is very Anberlin-esque in style. Sounding like another band isn't always a good thing, but in this case it resolutely is. The Def Leppard cover ' Unbelievable' is unnecessary. It wasn't the best track to start with, and the TXS version does nothing to improve matters. They'd have been much better covering one of the songs from Def Leppard's early career and giving it a modern twist.
'Turn Back Time' is a slow-motion, passion fuelled track with a beautiful sensibility about it. The suspicious alien phaser gun sounds in the middle are a little odd, but do little to spoil the song. The guitar work sounds fantastic and nods to Neal Schon's more atmospheric moments with Journey. 'Bad Reputation' is a tad rough and ready, but fun nonetheless. Final track 'Stay' is a pleasant way to close the album.
Transmission X starts off very well - the first three or four tracks are excellent. From then things move markedly downhill until the last three songs when matters improve once more. TXS have created a good album with a few very pleasant tracks. There's nothing ground breaking or exceptional, but sometimes there doesn't need to be. Transmission X is definitely worth a purchase.
Check out... The first couple of tracks - if the whole album had sounded this good it would have been a stormer.
Track List:
1. Who Will You Run To
2. Chameleon Man
3. Time To Say Goodbye
4. Breathe You Out
5. Unbelievable
6. Kicking Leaves
7. Rat Trap
8. Turn Back Time
9. Bad Reputation
10. Stay
Label: Escape Music
Artist's websites: TXS , MySpace
