Transuranic Heavy Elements: The Flamin' Prophets of a New Dawn
In the post-categorization, digital days of 2017 musical groups defy classification like the mysterious platypus. What is it? Who is it? Nobody knows. And maybe that is alright. The real question is: Does anybody care? This is where groups need to be careful to not genre bend themselves out of our sights and minds.
The first thing that grabs your attention about Transuranic Heavy Elements is their musical competence. These guys care about getting it right. The tracks "Hollow Tree" and "I'm a Boulder" harken back to Type O Negative meets the B-52's complete with springy rhythms and creepy vocal overlays. A most unique combination of homage and harmonic convergence.
The next two tracks "Horizonal Champion" and "Rising Toys (of the Sun" are bluesy instrumental gems reminiscent of Robert Cray. Their presence on this album is both a beauty and beastly reminder that cross pollinating can be as confusing as it is majestically uplifting. Frankly, changing gears from creepy melodies to classic blues structures is a challenging feat fraught with conflicting feelings.
"Atlantis Interceptors" and "Those Who From the Heavens Came" returns to the heavy harpsichord hillbillie hippie jams they love to mix with crazy vocal overlays and weird grunts. To my surprise the final track "Mongolian Chambers" channels Tangerine Dream with Pink Floyd to create the strongest composition on the album. And quite possible a direction they should consider exploring in the near future. For all the musical martial arts performed with perfect pitch and creative skill there is a case to be made for roguish consistency.
Track List:
1. Hollow Tree 4:11
2. I'm a Boulder 5:33
3. Horizonal Champion 3:29
4. Rising Toys (of the Sun) 4:48
5. Atlantic Interceptors 6:43
6. Those Who From The Heavens Came 5:08
7. Mongolian Chambers 6:33
Added: July 10th 2017
Reviewer: Mark Antony Rossi
Score:  
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1756
Language: english
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