Kind of Closure

Tram: Paul Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar, vibraphone); Nick Avery (drums).
Additional personnel includes: Jack Hayter (pedal steel guitar); Fiona Brice (violin); Simon Raymonde (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, mellotron); Ian Painter (bass); Moira Campbell (background vocals).
Personnel: Paul Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vibraphone); Jack Hayter (pedal steel guitar); Fiona Brice (violin, strings, brass); Ruth Gottlieb (violin); John Greswell (viola); Helen Thomas (cello); Tom Rees-Roberts (trumpet, flugelhorn); Nick Etwell (trumpet); Dave Liddell (trombone); Rayad Danyer-Green (horns); Simon Raymonde (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Mellotron); Nick Avery (drums); Moira Lambert (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Dimitri Tikovoi.
Recording information: Eastcote Studios (12/2001-01/2002); Toxic Studios (12/2001-01/2002).
Photographer: Sophie Rickell.
Arranger: Fiona Brice.
Tram's third record, much like the band's first two, is a sad affair. Words like desperation, despair, bleakness, and Radiohead come to mind. A quick look at the song titles gives one a feel for what the record is going to sound like: "You Let Me Down," "The Hope Has Been Taken Away," "Forlorn Labour." In this case you can judge the book by its cover because this is one forlorn and forsaken-sounding record. The lyrics are unremittingly sad, the tempos are slow, the music sparse and desolate, the hushed falsetto vocals pinched and choked. This album isn't much different than Tram's first two; a couple of songs burst out of their coma with loud and slightly dissonant horn and string arrangements and the bit of country-esque pedal steel on "Forgive Me Dear" makes it the album's highlight, but really this is no progression for the band. Still, if you were looking for music for a bleak winter afternoon, this wouldn't be a bad choice. Especially if you already have Tram's first, and best, record. ~ Tim Sendra