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| The TransplantsThe Transplants2002 Hellcat 
 Review by: smitty See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on November 8th 2002 Though I haven’t quite been following the media hype surrounding this release, I’ve still anticipated it greatly. However, I didn’t know it would be this good. The Transplants are of course the supposed ‘hip-hop fused with punk’ experiment involving Tim Armstrong, Travis Barker and the unknown vocalist Rob Aston. The album opens with a mean metal riff and a raspy viseral introduction to our man Aston on lead vocals, his style could be described as hip-hop delivery with a harsh punk rock snarl. And so our journey through some of the darkest yet moving music experiences begins. I believe the second track Tall Cans In The Air is being touted as the single, one of the more radio-friendly songs, probably. It also serves to introduce Lint into the fray, in his unmistakable voice which he seems to have an unbelievable control over, moreso in this record. Ranging from his take-on at rapping to his Rancid 2000 rough-as-fuck storming vocals, Tim and Rob partner brilliantly playing off each other well as the lead weaves between the two. One highly intense few minutes in the album features AFI’s wavey Davey Havok alongside Aston on ‘Quick Death’. The guitars could best be described as death metal but the net result is easily far better. Sweeping pick slides merged with a battering array of strangely catchy riffs all with Havok’s unmistakebly mad screams and stalemate Blink man’s solid drumming. Barker’s drumming is sound throughout the record and never fails to add to the overall sound, laying down the distictness that this album and the band has. Before you can even begin to comprehend what’s going on, they go all sentimental on us, ‘Sad But True’. It’s all good though, I rate this particular song as one of my favourites, there’s just something about it all that makes my eyes well up. It still has pace to it but it is one of the slower numbers and features some seemingly angelic oozin’-aaahs and Lint sounding almost cockney in parts.
Lyrically, the theme of the album is akin to a good gangster movie; guns, dark imagery, folk getting shot, and lot’s of drugs. The album follows a lot of hip hop music in this respect, cue references to chronic and the fact that ‘Transplants are in da house’, though I’m not actually a fan of the rap genre, the lyrics strike me as being amoungst the best of this year. It’s nice to hear things from a different perspective for a change, in a scene that’s currently bogged down with pop-punk and the same tired ideas going round and round. It’s only what we’ve come to expect from the man that gave us OPIV.
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shitty punk....with chops and beats this is a great album, but i don't think you can categorize it as "punk". this cd is really good n rocks so much i am a big punk fan n dont pay attention 2 tv at all.bands r listened 2 czu of talent not what label they r n this is a really good punk cd so keep punk alive n tim from rancid n travis from blinks styles 2gether is great. these guys smash. period. jesus christ in a brewery! I personally don't own the album, but i have heard most of it, and i can't really catagorize the music because i don't know too many people who have tried something like this. I actually respect musicians who try new things and this is certainly something new. Travis is a good drummer, but this CD doesn't showcase nor does it have that much to do with him. I remember reading somwhere that he was CONTRACTED to do this album. It's not like he helped write all the songs or even some of them. I'm sure he had some input here and there, but I think the songs were already written before he was even in the band. (correct me if i'm wrong here) but the music seems to be the ides of tim and rob, not travis. But back to my original purpose of this dumb email. This album represent something that has not really been done. I respect it because its different and well thought. But like disco, it may not be a hit genere? Who knows? It could be the next best thing... Congrats to all three of them. Rock on, and keep playing the stuff that makes YOU happy. I'm gonna buy this CD because i want to. I think it's a part of history and it only inspires me to try new things. sorry, that comment was from me below- Brandon Sideleau This album is under the "guilty pleasures" department in my head. I don't really like it, and I really wanted to hate it (considering it isn't real music and is instead computer generated....I wonder what they do live though), but I ended up listening to songs like "Romper, Stomper" and "California Babylon" durin my droning work day. I'd never buy this cd or even recommend buying it, but there are a couple songs worth a download, in the way that some techno songs are worth listening. So my two cents is that this is listenable and catchy, yet disposable and utterly terrible lyrically. I wonder how you can become famous. ooooh name calling. I'm gonna go cry in a corner. Grow up. "At least he's halfway intelligent enough to not run his mouth off bashing everybody else on the site for having a different opinion than his." Wann hear something funny......I saw Travis at a Danzig show. No shit, I did, he was with some guy with tatts and a shaved head. It was hilarious. But unlike if he was at another concert, at this one no one gave two fucks and only a few people even acknowledged him. This album sucks...Rob Ass Ton is a tone def skinhead thug...who cares if this is different...the day rapping over punk music is considered cool, that's the day I stop listening...save your money and go buy a Graham Parsons album...he was "punker" than this Rob guy will ever be Tim wasn't the man who "Gave us OPIV" Jesse was. Scott didn't get his juice this morning. The comments section is a joke now. I don't know whether to recommend you guys take it down, or leave it up just cause I'm sure some people get a kick out of reading the ridiculous shit that's posted on here. I know for one I was laughing throughout, nearly, the entire comments section of this review. I saw Travis' house on MTV Cribs when I was channelsurfing one day, jesus christ, i wouldnt be suprised if he's in this band just so the other members can hang out there. (Ever wonder what selling-out buys you? catch the rerun. You may wish you yourself had a poppunk sound to sell to hordes of 13 year old girls) MTV plays music? news to me. To whoever said that this album will get played on MTV, you are a dumbass. In fact, I can't even give you any recognize any other opinions based off that. I've seen ONE interview about Transplants on mtv.com and it wasn't even that long. If they truly cared, they would interview Rob or Tim. But they didn't. They only care because Travis is in there. yes, production IS vital wuss, but your idea of "good production" has been tainted by all the cheesy pop-punk/drive-thru garbage you listen to. This album sounds like a bunch of really good albums got in a car crash, and this is what was scraped out. Tim Armstrong sounds like he's choking on something the entire time, and not in the usual, GOOD way. Ok dipshit, I am not 13, and I am positive I am older than you are. But, what did I say that I didn't know about? I stated that production on a CD is vital, I mean hell no one wants to listen to a record that sounds like total crap, it's not the new "hip" thing. i agree with everything you said. but don't bash wuss emo. he's only 13 years old and we all know little kids always open their mouths without knowing jack shit. your racist comments are astounding in their idiocy. I doubt you'd say that to a black guy in person. plus, when you talk about "black" music and "white" music it sickens me. By the way kiddies, Rock n' Roll wasn't created by white people, it was only commericalized by them. Not that it matters, anyone can play whatever the hell kind of music they want to. But on another note, a white guy yelling "niggas" is fucking pathetic. The Kennedys said it once obviously to make a point about how ignorant spoiled middle class kids are, if you read the lyrics you'd know that. This album has SOME catchy tunes and guilty pleasures. But overall, it is an overproduced, artificial, computer generated album that is only adding to music's death. And vocals don't need to be "on-key", if you want something that is tame, well dressed and "on-key" then go listen to some uncreative, unemotional garbage that MTV produces. This album sin't a good example, since it is bound to be on MTV, but most of the greatest bands weren't "on-key", music isn't about rules and being technically sound, it's about expression. Anybody who thinks techinical problems are important should take a walk off of a cliff, CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW JACKSHIT ABOUT MUSIC!!!! Anyway, this site is getting lame, it seems everyday more and more asshole, conservative kids keep jumping on (I'm talking about you Wuss-Emo-Rock)and thinking they know something about music when they like garbage and shitting, cliched unoriginal techinical shit. People who care more about how the production and poppy chorus sound than the actual music or the message. It's hilarious when ou see rich kids driving their cars listening to Pennywise or DK (which rock) when the lyrics are actually mocking the little rich kids it's hilarious. I just laugh at it, posers are just in it for the fashion show. They'll never know what Jello meant, and if they do then great. It reminds me of a quote from "Get In The Van" where Rollins was walking past this rich, conservative asshole's house who laughed at him and saw the guy listening to a Jimi Hendrix song that had the lyrics "White Collared Conservatives Point & Laugh At Me" and the guy was singing along to it, and Rollins thought it was funny. I see shit like that everyday. Hilarious. Damn, I really ran off on this thing, oh well, it had to be said. 3 reviews for this piece of shit? i just masturbated to travis' picture b/c he's so damn hot. This CD sucks. Who is black flag? Everyone knows blink 182 invented punk rock in 1999. Now bands like no doubt and avril lagnueoipasf are the best punk bands ever "albini rules all" yeah ok, so black flag had no talent, they had nothing going for them, whatever. if that's the case, why don't you start your own black flag and show us how easy it is, show us how easy it is to completely change punk rock forever. you're all just a bunch of fucking stupid kids with your heads up your asses. So I thought I liked this album... then I finally sat through the whole thing on my ride home from Waterville Maine today.... I thought wrong.-BostonMusicGuy right on vien. black flag did have talent, every band does. But comparing him to Hendrix is just insane "i think Big Black maybe said the n-word Ok, now I know you were the same guy I was arguing about this same subject from the other board(I forgot which though). You don't seem to give any believable evidence that Greg is somewhat comparable to Hendrix. I know, because I'm a guitar/bass player, and I can't play half the stuff Hendrix plays compared to Greg. You just can't just give someone a title of being a genius because he was known for "Playing Obscure Feedback" and "Having Emotion". It takes technique as well, Hendrix had it, and Greg didn't. Hendrix influenced thousands(or much more) aspiring guitar players, and Greg didn't(I can't even find one). Hendrix did more in his short career than Greg ever did in his lifetime. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page are real guitar players that are easily comparable to Hendrix. I've heard all the black flag records, so 3 to 4 chords, 15 min. of bizzare feed back, and poorly improvised solos don't make a genius. Why not, they both had similar ideas. Both were unconventional and experimental. Both were raw. The only way you can tag someone with a line like "untalented" is if they are unoriginal and cannot recreate the noise. Other than that music is a free raoming emotional animal. You guys are a SHAME to the word "music". If you can't appreciate the genious of Greg Ginn then you are sad souls. Please don't compare Greg Ginn to Jimi Hendrix.....please....just don't. Anybody who says Black Flag had no talent doesn't KNOW A FUCKING THING about music. Sorry kiddies, but you don't know jack shit and you should fucking die, people who can't spot genious should just walk off a cliff. I'm done with this site full of posers and idiots that believe in techinical aspects of music. Die you fucking morons. you lame asses.... quit all your bitching. The moral of all these comments and 1 MILLION review is that no, actually black flag didn't have talent. sure i give them that there was emotion and all that crap, but anyone can do emotion as long as they have it, and talent helps to make it work. and basically i can't listen to a black flag cd because it is so horrible. and yes i have damaged. and no i dont like it. and, and out come the wolves rocks and is way better than the new s/t. sure, i like the new s/t, and it is a lot faster and more "hardcore", i thinik aoctw is way better, showcases better songwriting, and is overall wicked rockin Krowdsurf: I love the comments that are directed towards me, quite funny. So what You're saying is that We should rip off their arms so they can't play their songs? they may suck but nfg, SoCo, and Finch's songs are still music a few things: What we really need is another review of this album, cause i dont think 3 in the past week is enough "No talent? Greg Ginn was the Jimi Hendrix of the hardcore. You idiots do't seem to understand that what matters is not "techinical" aspects, but the way it comes off. To the casual listener Ginn's playing may have seemed very off the wall, but there is a method to it. The band's music is and subject matter was violent, loud and brutal....therefore Ginn had to make the total soundtrack for a riot, and that he did. His guitar work is utterly amazing, it isn't for the weak of heart, but it is truely genious. Beautifully creative and original, he sadi once that he liked to take regulay jazzy solos and just go nuts with them. The intensity and physical force at which he was playing is astonishing and his feedback was incredible. Anybody who says Greg Ginn isn't one of the best guitarists of all time just doesn't know what music is about. It's about breaking cliches and creating your own organic and fitting sound. Black Flag was the MEANING of that. Anyway, now that I have vented what I have been tryint to tell you fools for months. New fund Glory have ZERO talent and even take a backseat to Britney Spears." No talent? Greg Ginn was the Jimi Hendrix of the hardcore. You idiots do't seem to understand that what matters is not "techinical" aspects, but the way it comes off. To the casual listener Ginn's playing may have seemed very off the wall, but there is a method to it. The band's music is and subject matter was violent, loud and brutal....therefore Ginn had to make the total soundtrack for a riot, and that he did. His guitar work is utterly amazing, it isn't for the weak of heart, but it is truely genious. Beautifully creative and original, he sadi once that he liked to take regulay jazzy solos and just go nuts with them. The intensity and physical force at which he was playing is astonishing and his feedback was incredible. Anybody who says Greg Ginn isn't one of the best guitarists of all time just doesn't know what music is about. It's about breaking cliches and creating your own organic and fitting sound. Black Flag was the MEANING of that. Anyway, now that I have vented what I have been tryint to tell you fools for months. New fund Glory have ZERO talent and even take a backseat to Britney Spears. "Fuck you moron, music is what matters, not production. If a band is good live is all that matters. Black Flag is a prime example of that. Most of their studio recordings had very low production costs, but their live shows were unbeatable, by anyone. Especially in '84." Like I said before, WussEmoRock, your opinion doesn't mean shit...you seem to like New Found Glory, Good Charlotte, Finch, Something Corporate and all that other non-musical kiddie crap. The name Black Flag shouldn't even be coming out of your mouth, it is an insult to have a greta band be judged by someone with their head so far up their own ass that they can't think properly. You are what is wrong with music, die you ignorant prick. I think you said once that you were pro-Bush as well. I'm sorry bud, but to say that you must have absolutely no brain or you are just a flat out conservative asshole. Now go back to listening to your non-musical, uncreative, unpassionate garbage and leave genious alone. Maybe if someone threw your ass in a third world country you'd see what life is REALLY like and you'd change your tune real fast kid! Production does too matter asshole. You can't be at a band's concert every day of the week, or while you are driving in your car. So, because of this, we don't want some shitty sounding music playing that has low proudction and you can't make out the vocals and what not. I know at a concert it is different, but sitting in your car or in your room you do not have a band in front of you playing, just a stereo, and hopefully the sound coming out of it will be good. I actually like this album a lot, but I am curious about the lyrical content. As mentioned, there are a lot of drug references, but isn't Tim Armstrong clean and sober? So does that mean the lyrics are a parody of typical rap cliches or were they written by Aston? Or worse, does it mean Tim's off the wagon? You guys should all get turntables. what he said im buying this so i can review in hopes of being the 4th review for this record on this dumbfuck site. Fuck you moron, mnusic is what matters, not production. If a band is good live is all that matters. Black Flag is a prim,e example of that. Most of their studio recordings had very low production costs, but their live shows were unbeatable, by anyone. Especially in '84. the guy below me is a fuckin idiot. yea produciton means nothing. shit. lets all spend 200 bux on recording and have shitty sounding albums.rancid 2000 was ok, but didnt touch aoctw or life won't wait. every song sounded the same on rancid 2000 and it sounded like tim wrote the songs in one weekend. go listen to your fuckin mummies lps u dork. Rancid 2000 blew OCTW and life wont wait away. It was less produced and more about raw power.....THE most important aspect in music. Production is the LEAST important, if you can't cut it live then quit. I think bands should HAVE to record without overdubbings and protoos, then we'd know who to go see and who not to see. I saw Rancid in 2001 at Warped and i have always loved their records, but, maybe they were tired that day but they really played average. Op Ivy was Jesse Michaels band. i have one comment on this review....that last part about the man who brought us op ivy. hey where did the comment go from the epitaph guy???? wuss emo, you never cease to amaze me. i never said you have to like the ramones. i think you should know who the ramones are and respect them at least. when i was at that show, when the lead singer asked who liked the ramones, it was almost as if nobody even knew who the hell they were. that's pretty sad. so called "punks" worship bands like good charlotte and all the other pop punk clones out there and have never heard a ramones song. The Ramones deserve every single amount of praise they recieve, no matter how much. Have you ever maybe thought that some of us don't actually like the Ramones. sure they have a few good songs, but just because you like them, and they "led the way for newer punk acts" does not mean that we all need to praise them at every fucking show and every review. Sounds like the Gin Blossoms to me. - bigjerk The Ramones kick ass. If it wasn't for them, most of these bands wouldn't be around today. hmmmm, the transplants (can you say, over-fucking-rated) get reviewed for the third god damn time yet the ramones rocket to russia has yet to be reviewed even once? do people even know who the ramones are, especially you youngins? i say this b/c i went to a show (the band i can't quite remember at this point) once and the lead singer was all "hey, who here likes the ramones?" and all you could hear was silence. vortis also used niggers and niggas, and you can read an excellent review of that album to the left and down 12 for the record dead kennedys said niggers in "holiday in cambodia" and three reviews for this record is more than enough Why are there 3 f'n reviews of this record? That is all. Concerning track 10(the one with Lars), who's that about. Who stabbed them in the back? Oh, and this review kinda sucks-J i think Big Black maybe said the n-word "cue references to chronic and the fact that ‘Transplants are in da house’, though I’m not actually a fan of the rap genre, the lyrics strike me as being amoungst the best of this year" I don't think I've EVER heard the word "niggas" in a punk record. I don'think I've ever heard the word "bitch" so many times on a punk record. |
