The
A+E Line are unusual. Unusual in the sense that they have made a
record that sounds quite original. Of course you can still spot the influences, such as
the QOTSA-esque riff of Time Time Time and the slightly Bowie-esque
Christopher Walken. However, unlike bands of a lesser ilk the
touches they add (usually the introduction of a child-like melody
played on a synth) give the songs a sense of freshness.
The tunes, vocals and lyrics are strong throughout Train Wrecks but
most noticeably on Christopher Walken. The album's best track, its an acoustic number
about kicking Walken's ass (something a lot of us may have thought
about). Hearing the lyrics "I liked you in Deer Hunter but you
weren't as good as De Niro" and "you're quite good at
playing someone traumatised from Vietnam" its hard to not let
out a chuckle.
Running a close second in the fave song stakes is I Scream Driver.
Sounding like Ten Benson (which is good thing for this
self-confessed Ten Benson reviewer) with some howling vocals its a
stormer of a tune.
Despite the good stuff that is on offer there are some things that
drag the record down slightly and should have been left off. For
example, the 'comedy' Intro (short though it is) that you will skip
past on your second listen and the sleep-a-thon Outro that repeats
"A and E Line" over and over. Ideally, the jaunty acoustic
number, Summer Sun, should have ended the record.
With Train Wrecks, The A+E Line have produced a record of quirky fun
pop songs quite unlike anything else around at the moment. Its
definitely worth a listen and a few of your pounds / dollars.
The
A+E Line are unusual. Unusual in the sense that they have made a
record that sounds quite original. Of course you can still spot the influences, such as
the QOTSA-esque riff of Time Time Time and the slightly Bowie-esque
Christopher Walken. However, unlike bands of a lesser ilk the
touches they add (usually the introduction of a child-like melody
played on a synth) give the songs a sense of freshness. 