On
Train Songs,
Two Dollar Guitar experimented with a series of instrumental, moody songs loosely tied around a train motif, celebrating the richness of American ingenuity and song. The spontaneous, stream-of-consciousness instrumentals are proof of the trio's tight musical connection. With Steve Shelley again on drums and David Motamed's bass adding to the rhythmic allure of the band, Tim Foliahn's guitar work again leads the way. The absence of Foliahn's deep, mysterious vocals certainly lets the music shine. On the 17-track effort, the trio laid down beats like railroad workers laid down track during the United States' Industrial Revolution. An undeniable turning point for the band, the disc immediately showcases a new sound for
Two Dollar Guitar, with spooky synthesizers issuing a haunting mood to the beginning of "Patagonia." The guitar at the beginning of "Virginia Creeper" is easily reminiscent of the sound of a steam engine. The steady, bright sounds on "Cascade" give way to some eerie guitar noodlings on "Erie Lackawana." The groove of "Turnaround" is a definite highlight. It's followed by the lo-fi folk of "Asheville Special." The fuzz-laced noise of "Morning Zephyr" is a dramatic change for the band, as is the subdued keyboard drama on "Twilight Limited." The disc ends with more earnest and delicate guitar strokes on "Palmland." After a moment of silence, a bonus track appears with keyboards intertwining with the sound of an actual steam engine. The 17 tracks on
Train Songs feature diabolically stylish instruments re-creating the romantic and rhythmic nature of trains. The dissonant sounds are often tense, sometimes soothing, and undeniably relaxed. The spacious sounds on the disc easily are easily comparable to a landscape of sound, chugging along at a steady, rigorous pace, much like a train across vast distances. The disc's train theme continues in the elaborate liner notes. ~ Stephen Cramer