Trans Am - Liberation
[Thrill Jockey]

'Liberation' is one of those great moments impossible to pigeonhole, which has naturally become expected of the consistent Thrill Jockey label. Broad influences and multi-diversity has never been so apt, thankfully.

Trans Am clearly have a firm agenda - a strong political message, which they aren't too subtle about either. A witty cut & paste ethos sees spoken word pieces reassembled into a montage of false quotes; Bush allegedly applauding & favouring the devastation caused to Iraq. It could have been cutting edge if Chris Morris hadn't got there first with the infamous 'Bushwacked'.

Toying between acid-induced psych freak-outs, shambolic live post punk jams & electronica, Trans Am can't decide which direction they prefer. Such genre flipping ruins any chance of a smooth-flowing collection, and on first appearance sounds hastily thrown together & difficult to get into. Only after a few listens will it become fully realised.

Fortunately it's not just anti-war imagery, there's some fierce, upbeat instrumental tunes on board - it's like the Sea & Cake partying with a Bobby Conn death-metal concept album. Chaotic in parts and true weird genius in the rest. Rock on.