Drowned in Sound

Search



trachtenburg album cover
no votes
?
by Alex Wisgard
A band for those of us who didn’t find The Polyphonic Spree quirky enough, Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players give scarily, but shockingly brilliant pop thrills. A three-piece family band, the Trachtenburgs write self-described "indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop". The father sings and plyas the music, the ten year old daughter drums and the mother makes clothes and handles the slideshows. She probably made cookies during the recording sessions too.

This 11-track album is a worryingly good blend of simple melodies and childlike lyrics based on slides from old car boot sales. Its jaunty opener 'Mountain Trip To Japan, 1959' takes in public executions and interesting observation about raising cocker spaniels whilst sounding like Sgt Pepper's-era The Beatles on valium, with lyrics that are more memorable than most contemporary poetry.

However, there are slightly sinister motives afoot. For example, in the accordion-led Alpine waltz of 'European Boys', after being told that 'Frank Sinatra is Amish', we move on to talk of war and how "American boys learn how to kill". This theme continues on through the rock n' rolling 'Eggs'. “Vietnam and Watergate”, sings Jason, “and eggs”. It's totally laughable but if you give it a chance, it becomes totally compelling cutesy-pie pop music.

By the middle section, the slightly more art-rock elements of the band come through. 'OPNAD Contribution Study Committee Report, June 1977' consists of little more than drumrolls and looped vocals singing the title over and over again. Draped over some wibbly synths and pounding piano chords, we're somewhat thankful it doesn't last more than ninety seconds.

The final track, and the only song that isn’t based on slides or magazine cuttings, is possibly their best. 'Believing In You' stops to thank everyone whose helped out the band, even the press - "You’ve been so kind to us – you like to write about us in your magazines", they sing, over a worryingly happy backing, which could have been taken from the finale of any prosaic musical.

So that's the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players for ya. Instantly hummable, uber-catchy Stateside pop soon to be invading our shores. 'Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I' is possibly the best indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop album you'll hear this year and it’s only a matter of time before you’ll want to join the family too.

  • Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players 8 / 10
Words: Alex Wisgard

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

love it love it love it. the kind of band who you can guarantee will never have a bad review written about them. if you go to their website you can watch the video to mountain trip...

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

Any chance of getting some audio in the downloads section DiS? This sounds intriguing.

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

Just seen this request, check out the e-content section now!

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

Oh come on people!

Sure this band are intriguing and they're offering something different. I'm sure first year students will be embracing this band but come on... clear your head, listen to it again and then you'll say, "Hang on, this is a pile of shit. Where did i put Relationship of Command?"

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

You come on.

Don't be such a scrooge. It's all good fun.

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintag

I put Relationship Of Command in the 2nd hand record shop.

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintag

I haven't quite done that yet, but it's pretty unlistenable isn't it? Mind you, it's 'Pet Sounds' in comparison to The Mars Volta...

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintag

I wouldn't say 'unlistenable', I just got bored of it. Had I not been totally skint at the time I probably would've kept hold of it.

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

Even The Mars Volta couldn't make an album based on abandoned vintage slide collections. It is some of the most listenable music around.

See this interview- it's cute.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-8079-1100089,00.html

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

these people are clearly freaks - "childlike lyrics based on slides from old car boot sales".

That's pretty damn random. And then just take a look at the photo.

These people could be the epitomy of evil i think

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

ARRRRRRRRRGGGHH!!!
I saw this lot on mtv2 the other day and I felt so violent! Why can't all this geekier than thou slop bugger off?

Re: Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintag

agreed. stopped what i was doing and stared in painful disbelief at what was on the screen. new lows, new lows..

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

I came across your listing when I was Googling the Trachtenburgs. This is a band you either hate or love and I have been closer to them than anyone. I am father to Jason and grandfather to Rachel. They are not for everybody. First of all, if you have no sense of humor and your life is devoted to sampling sour pickles, you will not enjoy the whimsey of their work. This is not a band in the traditional sense. It is vaudeville and needs to be judged as performance art not as a traditional band that sticks to formulaic interpretations of june, moon and spoon.

Is Jason really crazy? I can't answer that. His ramblings are most likened to Woody Allen on crack cocaine and his interactions with a live audience are more like Groucho Marx on "You Bet Your Life."

Keep up the rant pro and con. All publicity is good publicity but remember, when you do see them in person, you WILL fall in love with Rachel and want her autograph. There have already been four songs written about her by other bands, one with a marriage proposal!

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

moutain trip to japan 1959 is a good song but the rest of the album is pretty dull. You've got to love the Rick Moranis looking lead singer tho.

Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players - Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Vol. I

okay, this is so screwy, the 11 yr old drummer's grandad doesn't mind her being proposed to by weird indie geeks. damn...

The Trachtenburgh Family Slideshow Players also on new CD curated by Stewart Lee (co-writer of Jerry

The Topography of Chance
Curated by Stewart Lee for Sonic Arts Network

http://www.sonicartsnetwork.org

Mark E. Smith reading the football results; Jon Rose playing a fence; comedian Simon Munnery recording a drunk man shouting outside his bedroom window; comedian Arthur Smith singing 'I've seen your arse', Evan Parker jamming with birds and ss and chance including: Derek Bailey; The Trachtenburgh Family Slideshow Players singing about their weight in 1978. These are just some of the tracks you can find on this recent release by Sonic Arts Network, guest-curated by Stewart Lee (co-writer of Jerry Springer: The Opera).

Check it out: http://www.hypergroup3.com/ss/sonicarts/uni/pages/product.asp?prodID=18


Relevant






© DrownedinSound.com | From the Archive - DiS's Agony Aunt: Maria Taylor answers your questions