Tram - 'A Kind Of Closure' (Setanta)
4/5
By: Toby L
Tram return with this, the fittingly-titled 'A Kind Of Closure', following their two previous LPs, 'Heavy Black Frame' and 'Frequently Asked Questions', respectively. The musical-dynamics haven't so much as changed as merely evolved, i.e. in producing exquisitely intricate, beautiful and, very often, intense, downbeat compositions, à la Smog, Lambchop and Low - only done by that inimitable flavour possessed by UK inhabitants...
Except the subject-matter isn't so much about complaining about the appalling weather as it is about the breakdowns of relationships and contemplation of human-nature in its more bleak embers. However, despite this statement, the music is strangely uplifting. Melding beautiful piano accompaniment - provided ably by Simon Raymonde, ex of The Cocteau Twins - with lilting guitars and mouth-dropping strings, the icing to the cake is singer Paul Anderson's achingly enthralling vocal-chime: unique, subtle and ultimately moving.
The eleven tracks available within 'A Kind Of Closure' comprise of two instrumentals - namely, the late-evening sounds of 'Theme', complete with seedy trumpets, jazzy bass and calculated drums - and nine other pieces of bluesy-mood, classic song-writing. Particularly of instant merit are the slide-guitar/country meanderings of 'A Painful Education', the boy-girl vocal interplay on the chorus of 'Only Then', reminiscent of the more touching moments of The Delgados' output, as well as 'Fools', which, once its set of short lyrics passes by, is gently reminiscent of the Super Furry Animals' album-track from 'Ring Around The World', the highly-melodic, 'Run! Christian! Run!'
Interestingly, the band's name Tram is actually indicative of their musical-journey: not the most obvious of the modes of transport available out there, but definitely one of the most luxurious and pleasurable you'll find. And, luckily, with LP #3, their destination-point is still reaching the territory marked 'First Class'.
Artists in this article: Tram
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