Silver pants aside, Trans Am’s music (the early stuff in particular) carved an original and challenging sound from the get-go……the band somehow merged punkish sensibilities with electronic soundscapes with unexpected chops, and the result was a unique, forward-thinking stylistic adventure.

But it’s hard to accurately analyze these guys based on just one album; they’ve been around for so long now that it seems essential to note the various shifts and phases their sound has gone through. From the polished freight train self-titled debut powerhouse to the stripped-down might of The Surveillance to the dynamic ebb-and-flow of Surrender to the Night to the electroclash assault of Red Line to the vocoder-iffic travels of Futureworld and beyond…..Trans Am’s sound has (or had, up til a couple albums ago) consistently evolved leaps and bounds with each offering, a trait I for one almost always value in and of itself.

Some of you may disagree, but I personally think that the band’s recent efforts have fallen a bit short given the incredible foundation they had established. I guess we’re all entitled to our opinions, even if they’re wrong.

TRANS AM — “Ballbados” from Trans Am (1996)

TRANS AM — “American Kooter” from Trans Am (1996)

TRANS AM — “Love Commander” from Surrender to the Night (1997)

TRANS AM — “Carboforce” from Surrender to the Night (1997)

TRANS AM — “Surrender to the Night” from Surrender to the Night (1997)

TRANS AM — “Armed Response” from The Surveillance (1998)

TRANS AM – “Futureworld” from Futureworld (1999)

TRANS AM – “Cocaine Computer” from Futureworld (1999)

TRANS AM — “I Want it All” from Red Line (2000)

TRANS AM — “Village in Bubbles” from Red Line (2000)

TRANS AM – “Play in the Summer” from Red Line (2000)

-KW