Transient Songs - Stealing Sand

Seattle based bandTransient Songs are back. We reviewed their debut album "Cave Syndrome" way back when and made comparisons to a couple of Australia's finest 80's pop rock bands The Church and The Go-Betweens. The title track of the album starts with the lyrics "She rose up" and it's eerie just how much this tune sounds like Grant McLennan penned and sings this well-crafted pop ditty. "Shopping for Coffins" is a little touched by the psychedelic pop of The Church and this reviewer once again finds it difficult not to think of Steve Kilbey and Grant McLennan's Jack Frost project.

If you're scared of ghosts then avoid this album because the spirit of Mr GW Mclennan is everywhere on this release that it sends shivers down the spine. The press kit makes a comparison to the Afghan Whigs but it's hard to hear similarities other than strong melodic songs. I'd strongly recommended to fans of The Go-Betweens and The Church. If you were looking forward to another Grant McLennan solo outing this should suffice nicely so you can grab this album when it comes out on August 8, 2017.

3.5/5

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Transient songs - Cave Syndrome

(Indian Casino Records)


Transient Songs is the odd name of John Frum's project and "Cave Syndrome" is the album's title. The songs on the album are very reminiscent of The Church. This comparison is mainly because Frum's vocals are hauntingly close to those of Steve Kilbey. A number of the songs reminded me of Kilbey's singing when teamed up with Grant Mclennan on their Jack Frost side-project. The guitar sound adds a dreamy alternative pop feel that will cause underwear dampening to fans of The Church and The Go-Betweens. The whistling on "Greenwood Backyards", which features Frum playing all the instruments, takes the listener by surprise whilst adding to the song. " There's cat-like screaming in the otherwise sparse "Wide Open Skies" before the cello gently slides the song along for a peacefully slow ride allowing the passenger the time to take the entire view in. The thick laidback guitar lend an ambient Pink Floyd eerieness to "Lungs and Livers". Background vocals and guitar are appropriately buried although guitar feedback pops its head out to survey the surroundings in "The Burrow Patch". While originality doesn't really shine through here as The Church similarities scream out to me louder than they really should, "Cave Syndrome" is an enjoyable album and one that fans of any of the previously mentioned bands should give a listen to. 3/5

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