Tram - Frequently Asked Questions

  by Chris Jones

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Review

Tram's previous album 'Heavy Black Frame" saw much time in my CD player for two reasons: 1) it came out at a time when I was depressed about a relationship that had ended, and 2) it was a damn fine album. I had been waiting for their follow up release since then and eerily enough this album also came out at a time when I was dealing with a personal crisis - I might need to consult their release schedule so I can prepare myself in the future. The song titles could serve as Cliff Notes to the past few months: 'Once I Was', 'Giving Up', 'He Walks Alone', 'Now We Can Get On with Our Own Lives'. The vocals and the tone of the music match these titles quite wel ltoo. Paul Anderson's voice always makes me think of a subtler/less dramatic Suede or Pulp. There is some self-pity and some drama, but it's not nearly as over the top as Suede and Pulp often sound. To me that's a good thing, as he is able to convey his feelings without drowning the whole song in them. And for the music, there's a hint of country mixed in their that works very well - or maybe I'm just a sucker for slide guitars and harmonicas mixed with cello and piano. The music seems to "stumble" along in a way that makes perfect sense when you listen to the lyrics. It's "simple" yet comprised of many different elements. While I'd prefer to limit any future relationship woes, if they all come with a Tram album as a soundtrack I I might be willing to accept that. This is mopey pop with just the right amount of emotion and a great delivery. Cigarettes were made for music like this..

Track Listing:-

1 Are You Satisfied
2 Now We Can Get On With Our Lives
3 Yes But For How Long
4 He Walks Alone
5 This Sacred Day
6 Folk
7 Once I Was
8 Giving Up
9 Social Disease
10 Underneath The Ceiling
11 Light A Candle On My Birthday