Customer Reviews

Trouble Andrew

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by this CD! I was able to sample it for free, and it's a great find for me. This is the first CD that I've listened to from start to finish in years. I thoroughly enjoy it.

The beats are good, the guitar work is good, and the lyrics can have some real meaning to them. I tend to like slightly repetitive music (a child of popular music), but I think it's great for both background music and just sitting back and enjoying.

There's at least one use of profanity, so just be aware of that (I only remember one time, and it's actually on one of the samples provided on the product page here). The lyrics certainly are not riddled with profanity, though. It didn't bother me, but some people don't like it, especially if they're buying for their kids.

I'd certainly recommend trying out the samples to see what you think.

In the I-tunes library `Trouble Andrew' is listed under genre as "unclassifiable". Well, that's nearly true, and certainly would support an anarchic image of the lead singer, but that's no help for the uninitiated. Going out on a limb, I'd say the C.D. is a mix of punk, alternative, hip-hop, and rap. With the synthesizers and some Cars-like guitar work, we can nail it down to music that reignites memories of '80's New Wave.

Andrew's vocals are processed: At times it resonates with the luster of what I can only describe as through an electronic cave; at other times it's scratchy, like it's coming out of an old megaphone.

`..Andrew' topically is steeped in gangsta bravura with its energetic moments nearly always the best. "Bang Bang" and "What's Strange About Me" remain Red Bull replacements, but the ominous "Trouble" and footloose "Be Free" keep the tension up as well as the fast songs. "Either Way" is edgy punk that sounds like a good soundtrack song for "The Brat Pack," yet "Young Boy" leans heavily hip-hop.

While the topic matter may not be of great interest to me, I'm perfectly content to send these tunes to my I-pod where the cause of fitness will be greatly enhanced. Despite a minor complaint of occasional formula, `Trouble Andrew' is a pulsating piece of work. As someone who listened to The Ramones frequently during the 80's that may be nitpicking indeed.

I am not a young-skater or surfer. I am a working mom who likes classic rock songs. (Not a soccer mom, either..I hate soccer ha ha!! sorry, soccer fans!) Anyway, I thought this music might be too young for me and annoy me...I am getting old, that happens sometimes. However, I was surprised that it was kind of happy, fun music, but not bubblegum.

It sort of reminded me of Green Day mixed with the Go-Gos mixed with REM or something...sorta punky-pop whining!! ha ha.. But I don't mean that to trash it, I liked it. Listen to the samples..I think it surprised me..it may just surprise you, too.

Alright, what do I know about Trevor Andrew? He's a professional snowboarder, and that's about it. I can't say I expected much musically from him considering his profession, but I don't know what his musical background consists of, so who am I to judge? Supposedly he put together this self-titled Trouble Andrew thing while he was recovering from injury.

I must admit I'm fairly surprised, even impressed with select songs, with this effort. Yeah, the music is poppy and "skater-ish," and while my taste lies with rock and metal, I like it but don't love it. Trouble Andrew has some rock and dance/electronic elements as well. There's a little bit of everything. The first song, "Chase Money," is quite reminiscent of Jeff Beck's "Gamma Ray" (of Modern Guilt) with the muted guitar pickings, beats, and droning vocals. I'd be curious to know whose song came to fruition first. The very next song, "Bang Bang," sounds like a Death From Above 1979 b-side. Ever since that duo disbanded, I've been searching high and low for a band able enough to replicate You're A Woman, I'm A Machine. No, Andrew isn't on that dance level, but the beats and guitar (or bass, whatever it is) of "Bang Bang" are cool.

Unfortunately the rest of the album is fairly lackluster. I can't really say any of the songs minus the first two are memorable. They're all about three minutes long and sound pretty uninspired, but overall better than expected from a snowboarder.

Trouble Andrew is a CD that doesn't fit neatly into a single genre. Sometimes that is a sign of a great, transcendent work; however, that is not the case here. Trouble Andrew (aka Trevor Andrew) has put together a collection of songs that is fairly flat and makes no lasting impression. His voice is synthesized on the vocal tracks, but I suspect that there is not a great loss here. However, a strong voice is not an absolute requirement for compelling music. It just means that the other aspects have to be the point of emphasis. So what does that leave? Sometimes it's great lyrics that have a strong or important message. The songs on Trouble Andrew, though, don't have a lot to offer here either - whether it's bragging about being a pimp in "Pimp Millennium" or measuring yourself by your wallet in "Chase Money". The track "Be Free" gives the listener such deep insights as "I got it. You want it. You want it. You got it." While there's nothing much to object to, this is the musical equivalent of cotton candy. If the vocals and lyrics don't define the CD, then the only thing left for Trouble Andrew to try to hang its hat on is the instrumentation or sonic experience. Although there is a good mix of style from punk influences of "Bang Bang" to the more electronic sounds of "Either Way", nothing really grabs you. The lone exception is the moderately catchy "What's So Strange About Me". Again, nothing really sticks out as bad, but it serves best as background music. That is the best recommendation I can make for this CD. If you are looking for something to have playing at a party, it's not a bad choice. However, that makes for a fairly shallow listening experience. If you like more substance in your music, you will want to pass on this one.

Download this: What's So Strange About Me

I really enjoyed listening to this album. It is a very good album to listen to and the songs have a great beat. This album would be perfect for listening to on a warm summer day in the car with the windows open. Recommended.

Welcome to the future... from my passionate past.

Trouble Andrew totally ROCKS!

I absolutely love the style which is reminiscent of some of my favorite 70's and 80's bands, like... Devo, Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Adam Ant, Gutterboy, Kraftwerk, XTC...

For me, this album is way to easy to love.

'Nuff Said!

This album and artist are not meant for the top of the charts this guy is doing this because he enjoys music and wants to create it. When im skating this gets me in the groove. I feel next to invinciable. This is a very interesting type of music.

Pretty good cd here. A mix between 80s music and modern day techno. Worth checking out.

Pros: Fun, lightweight & a definite upper. Worth listening to.

Cons: It all kind of blends together.

Bottom Line: Worth giving a listen.

The word is that Trouble Andrew (Trevor Andrew) is electro-pop diva Santogold's snowboarding boyfriend, who decided to use her equipment to record as a lark while recovering from an accident. Santogold must have some pretty groovy stuff at her place as the production and beats here are generally very crisp and rounded sounding. The trouble comes in when Trouble Andrew opens his mouth. His vocals are not particularly good, and sounds like they're coming from someone who uses the word "bra" a lot in conversation to address his buddies. His songwriting chops are far from solid as well. The real shame is that there are plenty of groovy sounds and studio tricks that rival those found in electronic artist like Justice, Daft Punk, and of course Santogold herself. But where those artists are able to construct these parts into a euphoric pop music high, Trouble Andrew sounds like he's going to end up in the corner of a low-rent Super Bowl party smoking cheap grass and trying to play with a hackey sack.