Traindodge: Wolves

Oklahoma City's Traindodge returns with its full-length follow-up to the dual disc The Truth. Rest easy, pilgrim, the band's kept it nice and short this time, offering a solid and diverse 41-minute record that highlights the trio's tight-and-steady blend of metal, progressive and indie, as highlighted on the brawny "You, The Disaster," which showcases some of Jason Smith's best blazing guitar work to date and sees Rob Smith (drums) and Chris Allen (bass) further establishing their reputation as a consummate rhythm section.

Surprises and odd twists do abound. The keyboard-centered "Twice As Lost" recalls Genesis' self-titled 1983 release and the earlier Duke more than virtually anything populating the alternative underground at the moment; quiet, the track feels honest, homespun and shows the emotional depth of Jason Smith's vocal abilities. "Born In The Cold" carries with it deeper pop sensibilities than one might expect from Traindodge and, were it longer, more cognizant of the verse-chorus-verse change-up, it might read as anthemic.

Instead, it and the aforementioned "Twice As Lost" build a bridge between the title track (which at times recalls the sensitive, pastel moments of Rush's Grace Under Pressure with more contemporary around the edges) and the furious, almost Red Hot Chili Peppers-influenced bad boy "Brushing Of The Wings," arguably the most attitudinal of the all the pieces here and decidedly one of the record's best tracks.

There's also time to groove in a fashion akin to peak era Talking Heads and Discipline-era King Crimson during "When Bad Luck Talks," pause for the unexpectedly No Wave-ish "Clean" and then launch into the full frontal lobe assault of "It Always Finds You" and "Rats On Wires."

If it seems to some that Traindodge is moving forward, trying on a different hat here and there, and moving toward something more diverse and forward-thinking, it's because it is and both the band and this album are the better for it.


Track Listing
1. Maze
2. You, The Disaster
3. Twice As Lost
4. Wolves
5. Born In The Cold
6. Brushing Of The Wings
7. When Bad Luck Talks
8. Clean
9. It Always Finds You
10. Rats On Wires

Added: January 2nd 2007
Reviewer: Jedd Beaudoin
Score:
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Language: english

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