Customer Reviews

Haunted Cities (Explicit Content) (U.S. Version)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The best way i can sum up this album is that it does better than the last on the problems from the first record, but leaves out alot that it did right. The punk is better. C'mon ropper stomper and quick death wern't very good songs. But songs like american guns rock. Also the rapping by tim and rob is alot better, and the overall quality of the hip-hop is better. But what about that laid back trasnsplants style from the last record? Most of the songs had that: Dj Dj, diamonds and guns, sad but true, wiegh on my mind, california babalon, we trusted you, tall cans in the air. All those had this very original transplants style. I hear it alot on Gansters and Thugs, a bit on doomsday, and some on i want it all. So we've got more hip hop and punk, and less of that original stlye. Also, I dont know about you but my cd is diffrent that it shows on amazon. NOt today is the first song, i dont have 12345 or red dawn or coming over and i want it all and madness are in diffrent places. Kinda screwed up. did i get ripped off??? Watever, hopefully on the next album theyll have both good punk and hip-hop and that transplants style. So its kinda a let down but at least it hasnt sold out... yet.

First off, "Tristan" should legally change her name to "tard". Im not kidding. Whining about this CD and your closed mind not being able to grasp it is one thing, Saying that Lars and the Bastards "Viking" CD was the worst thing out in 2004 is altogether ignorant. Viking is hands down the BEST CD of 2004, and brought back old skool, kick ass, in your face punk while your idols Yellowcard and Good Charlotte continued to pollute the airwaves. Listen to 1 percent and Maggots on Viking, and attempt to deny the GENIUS guitar work. Knucklehead.

On to "Haunted Cities":

The greatest thing about The Transplants is they really DONT GIVE A F**K what people think of them. They do what they do, and enjoy every second of it. In my version, the CD blasts off with "Not Today". Honestly, there is so much going on with every track that you really have to listen 3-4 times to appreciate the hell out of it. My girlfriend was so blown away from the first track alone that she had me play it again so she could soak in everything about the song.

And thats where the genius of the transplants comes in.....its punk, soul, hip hop, reggae, funk and rhyming. The feeble minds wont get or like this CD, because it simply asks your brain to actually process something unique, deep, and completely different than the usual mundane, droning garbage out there. The Transplants proved that they can't be labeled in the first CD, and they stay true to that on this one as well.

5 stars isnt enough-this CD will blow your mind if you take it ALL in and give it the listening time it deserves.

Tim also proves once again that he simply one of the most talented music cats on the planet.

First off and not only here, I have read a lot of reviews of this album and most aren't good. This isn't Rancid, can't you hear Tim rappin. he also did that on the last album so i dont know why you would be surprised. This doesn't really have a genre, If you like The transplants then you'll like this. With songs like G's and Thugs, What I can't describe (thats not B.Real by the way it's Boo Yaa Tribe), Killafornia, Doomsday and(all)others how could you go wrong. For the hip hop heads you will get some nods on this one. A lot of the song were for Rob's solo album. and if you just want something to rock to this is good for that too. Travis' drum skills = A+
This album doesnt get 5 cuz its not perfect but damn near close.

First off, this CD is DEFINATELY not for everyone. Most people are going to complain about this one. What you gotta keep in mind when listening, is that THIS IS NOT A PUNK BAND. Rancid and BLink are (too an extent), but the Transplants never have been, and never will be. People are complaining about the hiphop elements on this album, and how the lyrics are boasting themselves.... Duh, its hiphop... where have you been? Most hiphop artists nowadays only sing about how great they are, and how bad they've had it. THIS IS HIPHOP. I think most people listening to this band listen to them for the wrong reason. If you are listening to this CD expecting RANCID meets BLINK, you're way off. THIS IS THE TRANSPLANTS. If you havent noticed, Tim Armstrong is heavy into HIPHOP (check out Cypress Hill's "Whats your number", or take a look at who produced most of PINK's album) The very same, TIM ARMSTRONG!!!! I AM MORE OF A FAN OF HIPHOP THAN PUNK, AND THATS WHY THIS ALBUM IS GOOD TO ME. ITS NEW AND ITS DIFFERENT. So when you go to listen/buy this album, keep in mind "If you arent a fan of HIPHOP, then this album isnt for you. Go back, buy some Casualties, enter a "Who has the biggest MOHAWK contest, and drink Jack Daniels because you're probably to punk to admit this is a good cd anyways... you wouldnt want to ruin your reputation as the biggest old school punk fan, would you?

The thing that attracted me to this band in the first place was Travis. He is my favorite drummer and I knew he would never dissapoint and that he'd bring something special to any band he's in. After that 1st impression I discovered that the Transplants are very versatile and the vocals and melodies are very strong. The 1st album was great but the production was a tad bit rough as it was recorded in Tim's basement and Travis only had 5 hours to record drums. This record is a lot more polished and the vocals have improved.
Not Today-7/10 A good opening punk track that gets u pumped for the rest of the cd. This song does get repetitive and a little boring after a while.
Apocalypse Now-8/10 This song brings in the electronic elements which I'm not really fond of. But since there is a nice mix of electronics and real instruments I'm ok with that. Good rapping and a good rock chorus.
Gangsters and Thugs-8/10 The 1st single is really all electronics. But since it has a great melody and good rhymes, I can't help but to give it 8.
What I Can't Describe-7/10 This song is completely different fron the rest of the cd since it is pure hip-hop with a little bit of funk and soul. I like the melody but the song's a little too ghetto for me. Not a real heavy beat or anything.
Doomsday-8/10 I like where they were going with this song. There's a swing beat with solid vocals and interesting instrumentation. I just think they should of took the musical idea further instead of the focus being on vocals most of the time.
Killafornia-10/10 One of my favorites. I love the beat and the attitude of the whole song. The guy from Cypress Hill sounds amazing and the track just flies. I wish I saw them play this at Warped.
American Guns-9/10 Damn catchy song. Not too fast or heavy of a song, just fun. I've had this stuck in my head a lot.
Madness-8/10 This is also a fun song. Cool instrumentals, just not as memorable as American Guns.
Hit the Fence-9/10 Basically a short rap song with an awesome beat. This stands out to me cuz Travis puts a pretty simple cadence into a song to make it bounce and sound amazing.
Pay Any Price-7/10 I'd say the worst sounding song production wise on the album. Not very catchy and they sound like they don't care about what they're singing. Pretty cool instrumentals with a kind of lazy, beach vibe.
I Want It All-10/10 Another one of my favorites. I love the hand claps and the beat through the whole song. A really fun, party kinda song.
Crash and Burn-6/10 This in my opinion is the worst song on the cd. It sounds like a bad No Doubt song with the reggae feel with all electronics. The vocals are the best part of this song but still not that great. I'd say a bad way to end the album.
Overall this is a good album. I've grown to really like Rob's rapping style. It has different songs for any mood you're in, which is always good for when you're trying to find something to listen to. They are also awesome live. Travis changes a lot of the parts to make it a lot more interesting. The compositions are also more complicated live and they just put on a good show.

This album is different than their last, but it is still great. In fact, I like it more than their last. You could classify them as hip-hop, but with comparison to other hip-hop artists, the transplants bring in something new. They combine all kinds of sounds that it is truely hard to classify them. I have noticed that some of their songs produce a rancid sound that rancids latest album "Indestructible" creates. To me, classifying the Transplants as hip-hop is just too simplified. The Transplants are so much more than that. The sound they produce is completely unique to anything I have ever heard.

Everyone who has reviewed this album just doesn't get it. This album rocks harder than the first and kicks ass! This album has more than rap, there is punk and even some soul music. Next time listen to the whole album before passing judgment.

It is with great regret that I am writing a review stating that "Haunted Cities" continues the pattern of Rancid and company's decline. This new Transplants record is another chapter among the 2003's de-volving "Indestructible" and the ego-a-thon that is Frederiksen's 2004 "Viking" (my least favorite record of 2004 hands down).

This record is suffering greatly in the lyrics department. Along the lines of "Viking," this album's lyrics are just a tad above because they touch on politics (Apocalypse Now and American Guns). But, rest assured, you will find that nearly every other song is talking about bad-ass they are, how hard their life has been, etc. Where is the storytelling style that Tim Armstrong used to incorporate into songs so well? Not here.

Remember how "Skinhead" Rob was a cool addition on the first Transplants album, and not a crucial member? Well, that has changed on this record. In fact, the record ought to be called "Rob Austin and the Transplants - Haunted Cities." You'll find Rob's raspy, smokes-too-much vocals singing the main parts of most of the songs, and coving about 70% of the lyrics in total. I could deal with this if there was some content to his lyrics, but nearly every line he says has to do with him being tough, a drug dealer, or using some random cuss word. This "we're so hard" thing has really gone to their heads.

If you'll recall on the first Transplants album the guest stars fit on the songs very well. From Lars, to Brody, and even Davey Havok, these guests were long time friends and they fit their parts perfectly. This is not the case on "Haunted Cities," you'll find every guest is now some "gangster" from the LA rap scene rapping about how hard he is, and it just seems ridicules-I can't take it seriously. Where is the honesty? B Real's part on "What I Can't Describe," as well as the whole song, is beyond laughable.

There are a few highlights worth mentioning. "Crash and Burn" has a great Latin dance beat and is incredibly catchy, "Apocalypse Now" has a good hard chorus worth hearing, "Madness" has a great hook in the chorus which is probably one of Tim's best, and the politically charged (sounds like a Clash song on many levels) "American Guns" is worth hearing.

2 Stars because four songs worth listening to, but this is overall a non creative, ego boasting, repetitive record. Get the songs I recommend off I-Tunes and save your $15.

If I was going to write a review of this CD after just one listen, it would've gotten a rating of 2/5. I've now heard this cd around 4 times. It seems much better this time around. I think The Transplan's last CD, was a little better, only because it's one of those cd's where you can listen to every song through and through. On Haunted Cites, you have to skip around to hear the goods. Overall, this CD isn't gonna win a Grammy... but its still a hell of a CD.

the transplants lowerd down on the screaming unlike the first cd.And most of the songs are amazing, 2 or 3 songs lack excitment and are boring.Otherwise 9.1/10