By Adam Pugh
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Thursday November 7, 2002
S/T
The first notes of this album hint at some possible fuzzed-out punk rock, but that quickly changes into some sort of trip-hop punk fusion. The Transplants are something that could have been great, but instead decided to become another victim of mediocrity.
Featuring Tim Armstrong, of Rancid fame, and Travis Barker, from Blink-182, on the drums, this collaboration with vocalist Rob Aston is a confused blend of genres that leaves the listener unsure of the album's musical merit.
After the first couple of tracks it is apparent that Barker did not add too much to the mix, except maybe a name reference for the uninformed. The album was recorded between 1999 and 2002 and Barker was asked to lay down drum tracks for it this past year. It was reported that he did the tracks in less than five hours. With the continuous drum loops throughout the album, it seems like Barker's real talent is wasted.
Armstrong also does a lot of his little raps on the album, which are very remniscent of "Life Won't Wait." The album has a very clean sound and it has some good tracks, but it is nothing the boys in Rancid couldn't have put out if they had no balls.
Not to say that this album is not listenable. It is just a lot of hype without much to back it up.
