Futureworld

Trans Am | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thrill Jockey
• ASIN: B00000HXEB
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,706 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best trans am record, February 10, 2000

By 

Charles S. Hague (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Futureworld (Audio CD)

It is interesting how different people can pick up different things from the same music. I had long been a fan of surrender to the night, trans am's second record, when this one came out. It followed the somewhat lackluster album the surveillance (which nevertheless has four very good songs on it); and I would say that Futureworld is possibly the epitome of Trans Am's brand of "post-rock" (whatever that term means now). Previous reviews mentioned Kraftwerk, and certainly that is a point of reference. And for the first time, the members of Trans Am actually (gasp) sing on an album. At first this prospect distressed me, but now the lyrics fit right along with Trans Am's unabashed stadium rock vs keyboards fixation. This all comes together to create an album that, for me at least, is far from depressing; rather, I find it a cheerful and energetic album. There's a lot to like here: Trans Am have a certain sense of humor that is missing from many "serious" modern bands in the same vein, and they know how to find a fine balance between piledriving (see city in flames, portions of the title track) and downright pretty (sad and young, runners standing still). I love this record, so the negative reviews are confusing; but certainly everyone has the right to their opinion.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ... and then there's Trans Am, July 28, 2004

By 

Steveatty (Phila, Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Futureworld (Audio CD)

Somewhat of a cult phenomenon, Trans Am has built up a loyal following over the last ten years. Considered by some to be a posterchild for "post rock", that simple two world title does not even come close to describing the unique sound Trans Am has created.

A bend of electronica, minimalist punk rock, and lavish late 70's art rock, Trans Am creates a sound that defies casual description. Wavering between atonal noise rock and fist pumping arena rock, Trans Am seems to thrive on challenging, pummeling, and fooling the audience.

The title track begins with the sampled sound of a DC Metro train, that seemlessly segways into a drum and keyboard dance beat. This is then followed by vocals fed through a vocoder, making the lead singer sound like a robot.

If that description grabs your attention, then buy this album. You wont be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of post-rock's best albums, July 15, 2000

By 

Teresa Roman-Micek (Menlo Park, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Futureworld (Audio CD)

On this album, they really bring together their punk energy and noise/synth experimentation (with some good social commentary to boot). When I first saw them play, they played "Future World" with two bass guitars and synths, and in six minutes laid out the foundation for the genre--unapologetic rock with cheesy accessories and a minimalist philosophy.