TransChamps
Double Exposure EP
[Thrill Jockey; 2001]
Rating: 7.9
What happens when metal geeks and sci-fi nerds join forces? This is a question
that sociologists have concerned themselves with since Black Sabbath's self-titled
debut appeared four years after the premier of the original "Star Trek." How
could the belligerent anger of the metal geeks ever mesh with the pathetic
pseudo-scientific leanings of the sci-fi nerds? Some have theorized that the
question will never really be answered. Others envision a worldwide nerd
revolution, like Revenge of the Nerds, but possibly without the gratuitous
nudity scene.
On Double Exposure, sci-fi nerds Trans Am and metal geeks/70s corporate
rock guitar solo aficionados the Fucking Champs join together in an unholy
alliance appropriately dubbed TransChamps. The collaboration has near-infinite
potential. Both Trans Am and the Fucking Champs have an astounding ability to
turn laughable retro cheese into something thoroughly listenable, fun, and
driving.
In a perfect world, this collaboration between the Champs and Trans Am would
bring together the very best of retro fetishism in a catchy, goofy, energetic
mix. "Give It to You," the first track on Double Exposure hints at a
promise of such a brilliant synthesis. The song opens with the Fucking Champs'
trademark crunchy guitar riffing. But Trans Am immediately makes their presence
known with hilariously ridiculous vocals. Imagine a guy with a slightly off-key
baritone saying things like, "C'mon, little girl/ It's time for school/
De-evolution/ On the streets/ A revolution/ In the sheets," over synchronized
corporate rock guitar solos, and perhaps you'll get an idea of just how awesome
"Give It to You" really is-- and how excellent Double Exposure as a whole
might have been.
On "The Big Machine," Trans Am's futuristic sound dominates, with tinny trashcan
percussion and burbly synthesizers. Unfortunately, the song never cashes in on
its potential. When the Fucking Champs' unique guitar stylings finally do come
in, they simply sound tacked-on, seeming as out-of-place as Blue Oyster Cult
would in an episode of "Voyager."
The following suite, "First Comes Sunday Morning" and "Then Comes Saturday Night,"
utterly redeems the track, though, showcasing two different treatments for a
single musical theme. The former is an acoustic guitar, string, and piano-laden
foray into whimsy the likes of which is never really approached elsewhere on
this EP. On "Then Comes Saturday Night," that whimsy is coupled with some
synchronized guitar soloing, double bass and heavy drumming. Strange effects are
piled on, and the song builds to a powerful climax of heavily distorted guitars
and bleeping synthesizers.
It probably would have been a good idea to end Double Exposure on "Then
Comes Saturday Night." Instead, we're treated to "Somebody Like You," a moody,
cheesily downcast number that never develops into much. While parts of this
record truly do bring together the best of two similarly fun bands, the worst
parts just sound like two different bands playing songs with each other, and
never succeeding at combining their sounds into a cohesive final product. So it
seems the question on everybody's minds hasn't quite been answered. But Double
Exposure certainly suggests that a more in-depth collaboration between these
two great bands could lead to a nerd alliance the likes of which the world has
never seen, and the ramifications of which remain unknown.
-Matt LeMay, October 30th, 2001