Steel Train Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Steel Train remains on the Drive-Thru roster for this sophomore release, but the band's indie folk-rock is a far cry from the label's standard emo offerings. Trampoline finds the New Jersey-based quintet continuing to chug through heartland territory, with a dose of amplified adrenaline sparking their mix of campfire songs and poppy anthems. While 2005's Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun evoked memories of early-day Santana and the Grateful Dead, the band's follow-up is often closer to the sweeping sounds of Arcade Fire than those jam-happy predecessors. Electric guitars and full-throttle drums have been added to the mix, and vocalist Scott Irby-Ranniar delivers a particularly Win Butler-esque performance on "Alone on the Sea." The song is consciously epic, with insistent kick-drummed percussion and chiming glockenspiel laying the brickwork for Ranniar's lyrics about the fallen Twin Towers (a subject he tackles throughout Trampoline). Elsewhere, the band turns in a number of smart, quirky pop songs, from the handclapped "Firecracker" -- one of the band's best songs yet -- to the harmonized country strains of "Women I Belong To." As before, Steel Train is still guided by strong songwriting and engaging melodies; the band has simply learned to fully dress up their songs, which now shine beneath a wardrobe of piano, auxiliary percussion, and acoustic/electric guitars. Alternately delicate and robust, precious and grandiose, Trampoline furthers Steel Train's journey into an eccentric place where Brian Wilson, Jellyfish, and John Fogerty all share the same Brooklyn rehearsal space. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
'Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun'
Release Date 4/18/2005
Tracks 15
Label Drive Thru
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Steel Train are a very close cousin to Canadian roots group Blue Rodeo circa Five Days in July, judging by the happy, ambling "Better Love," which centers around lead singer Jack Antonoff and his infatuation with actress Scarlett Johansen. Folksy and very warm, the song just gels from the onset and chugs along at a jug band's pace. From there the band goes down a dusty country lane on the catchy and laid-back "Road Song," which sounds like Golden Smog or an early version of the Grateful Dead with mandolin work from longtime Dead associate David Grisman. Just as stellar is the soft, acoustic backbone fueling "Dig," which could be an homage to Brian Wilson or the Beach Boys with that cozy, sitting-around-the-campfire harmony. Gene Parsons, known for his work in the Flying Burrito Brothers, lends a hand on pedal steel guitar. What comes from out of nowhere, though, is the first of two Santana-ish, Latin, hip-shaking instrumentals entitled "The Lee Baby Simms Show: Episode 1." Antonoff is intent on maintaining the singer/songwriter domain with a slightly jam band-based effort during "Wake Your Eyes," but "Two O'Clock" is too much of a stretch. Here, Steel Train create a tune that is best suited for perhaps the Doves to spin some mysterious but uncanny Brit-pop around. Perhaps the highlight is the soft mountain music effort behind "Catch You on the Other Side," which takes a while to get off the ground. But when it does, it's worth it. "Gypsy Waves" starts off somewhat like "Fly Like an Eagle" before moving into a jam band roots funk that sounds a bit like Jason Mraz and String Cheese Incident with its long, winding instrumental portions. "Tickle Your Toes" is basically more of the same noodle-work on guitar. Although there is a bit too much fat on some of these numbers, "Blue" and the piano-driven, Ben Folds-like "Cellophane and Glass" are pretty and, more importantly, to the point. ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For You My Dear is the Drive-Thru debut of New Jersey's Steel Train. The band takes a different tack than most in the label's stable -- while vocalist Scott Irby Ranniar and guitarist/vocalist Jack Antonoff seem just as lovelorn as their peers, the duo's sound is largely acoustic, and quite baroque at that. Their Beatles worship is strong; the title track pays homage to "Dear Prudence" with the shameless joy of youth. Meanwhile "W. 12th" is a rustic instrumental with a quiver full of plucked strings -- it's so dignified it could almost be a recital piece. Yes, this EP is an introduction to what the band does. But this sort of thing still seems rather showy, a calculated move to establish Steel Train as Important Artists ("How young! How erudite!"). Fortunately, the release's other half better fuses modern references to classic influences. "Blown Away" steals a page from the Strokes with its treated vocals, before breaking into a wonderful piano solo bridge. Best might be "Alley Cat," with its tradeoff harmonies and brooding, wandering bassline. It's Steel Train's most original song, and suggests strong things to come. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
