It might be hard to recognize that
Transistor symbolizes another comeback for Norway’s TNT –
simply because many people (except for the long-time fans) may
never have heard of this group.
The band – vocalist Tony Harnell, guitarist Ronni Le Tektro,
bassist Morty Black and drummer Frode Hansen – have been slugging
it out for the better part of two decades, though their exposure in
America hasn’t been the greatest. Their reunion in 1996 hasn’t
seemed to attract a lot of attention, and their 1997 release
Firefly was not released as a full album in America. So,
Transistor could be seen as the first full-fledged attempt
to get this band recognized.
My advice? Wake up and take notice, ’cause this album proves
that TNT is not only relevant in 1999, but still packs a musical
whallop.
Now, I’ll freely admit that I’ve not followed TNT that closely
over the years; I think the only album of theirs I own is
Intuition, and I can’t remember the last time I listened to
it. So I entered
Transistor stone cold, with no expectations – and in a way,
that’s not a bad approach to this album.
Harnell, an American singer fronting a Norweigan band, could
pick up the phone book and make it sound convincing. On tracks like
“Because I Love You,” “No Such Thing,” “Wide Awake” and “Into
Pieces,” he solidly and consistently delivers the goods. Providing
the counter-attack is the remainder of the band; Le Tektro’s guitar
work is impressive, especially his rhythm work, which helps power
the band into overdrive.
While it takes a little time to get into
Transistor – “Just Like God,” a track available only on the
American version, isn’t the strongest way to start this journey –
once you’re locked in, you won’t want the door to ever unlock. From
lighter power metal to the flirtation with ballads (“Fantasia
Espanola” is a killer track, though it might throw some people for
a loop), TNT proves they’re not afraid to approach any musical
style. They have nothing to lose, and everything to gain; to their
benefit, they gain a lot with this album, including respect.
In a sense, it might not be right to label
Transistor as a heavy metal album; TNT seems to bridge the
gap between what they were in the ’80s with a melting pot of rock
that has become their sound. To say this is metal might scare away
newer fans afraid of the terminology – but to call this a more rock
album might frighten some of the older fans who have survived some
of the band’s style changes.
So what
should one call
Transistor? How about a fresh start for a band that has been
waiting a long time for their number to be called? Better yet, call
it what it is – a solid album worthy of your time, money and
attention.
