Man, this is weird. It's almost as perplexing to listen to as listening to The Dismemberment Plan in that you don't know what to expect after each songs ends and the next begins. Is it going to be a rocker? acoustic? sound effects? gospel or country? After a while you don't care and just take it in, all accepting. All Transistor is one guy, Thane Matcek, with twelve friends helping him out. His songs are slightly funny, completely charming and it's easy to get into each song.

First off, my apologies to All Transistor -- Parts has been lurking deep in my briefcase for several weeks and should've been reviewed sooner. Luckily, it was worth the wait. On the basis of the liner notes, All Transistor is either a huge band or has had a lot of members over the three years it took to record Parts. Songwriter Thane Matcek's work alternates between simple, cheery tunes like the sing-along-friendly "Steam Ahead" and indie-rock jolts like "Phil Hartman", making Parts an apt title; abrupt changes in style and tempo make for an energizing hodge-podge of a listening experience, rife with satisfying payoffs like the driving refrain of "Thirty-Nine Sharks". Every song has multiple layers, which makes listening to Parts rather like peeling an onion, only more interesting and with a lot less crying. -- gz

This is a texas collective of 13 musicians recording in the Houston area, led by singer-songwrtiter Thane Matcek. this is on first glance indie rock and pop, but with a twist: for every twang in the guitars, there's a dissonant, cutting chord playing a counter melody, while the first rate drummer shows agility, chops and enormous creativity in his parts. Likewise, Matcek has one of those North Carolina Superchunk/Archers Of Loaf voices, but with a deeper southern plait that straddles the notes as often as hits them. Light acoustic tracks and the occasional electronic element also come into play for a well developed since of range. In the end, Matcek's voice , its earnest real quality and the friendliness of lite-Kinks-like quieter songs makes this worth a listen.

All Transistor are a fickle band. On 'Parts' they turn their hand at many different styles of songs, the record is divided pretty equally between electric and acoustic songs but the range of genres goes farther than just doing quiet and loud songs. One catagory most of the record could be placed under though is 'pop', but the style of pop that's been practised by old masters the Pixies, as well as fellow Texans Spoon, who All Transistor do closely resemble at times. THis type of pop is subtley twisted, quite unnerving at times in fact, but when done right can yeild some special moments. Admittedly most of All Transistor's best moments occur when they're in electric mode, with a full rhythm section to rely on, this isn't to say songs like 'Too Much Blood' and the gentle 'Bright, Quick Moving' don't resonate, but they seem strangely ramshakle and unstable for a band that can prove themselves as feircely cogent and tight when performing louder tracks like 'Money' and the excellently jarring, angular 'Phil Hartman'. Most annoying is at times this distinction is heightened by songs like 'Kentucky' and '...' which sound practically half-written and aimless, they lessen the impact of the rest of the album. All Transistor have, after a few listens and a little time, showed themselves to have the capablility to make a brilliantly strong, substantial record. 'Parts' isn't it, but with a few gliches ironed out the next record could be. (A)

This CD has more twists and turns than a "Scream" movie. But unlike the aforementioned slasher flick, this album doesn't get unpredictably predictable. All Transistor's "Parts" is different, diverse and damn good.

This CD was created in a similar fashion to Bran Van 3000's "Glee" album. Thane Matcek runs the show with help from 12 of his friends. Like Bran Van, All Transistor throws in a couple of sound effects and some dialogue bits between some songs to really make the disc flow and keep it light and fun with some quirkiness to it. The album sound is kind of an independent, alternative, acoustic, country-rock mixture. Not exactly what you'd expect from a Texas band.

The beginning of this CD will give you a pretty good idea of what you're getting into. It starts with an eerie acoustic riff, then a little sound effect brings you into a very odd, fun, if not somewhat cynical love song.

There are fantastic acoustic songs like "Too Much Blood" and "Bright, Quick Moving" that'll remind you of some of Beck's brilliant music. The lyrics are also Beck-like. They're scattered thoughts and a little strange, yet they make sense. Take for example the opening lyrics to "Aquarium":

Take a temporary job at the aquarium, straighten out your life and your backbone too/ Don't let love scare you to think that you're hysterical, it's all a game you see ending with you.

The CD picks up the pace with electric guitar infused songs like "Take," "Byshardme" and "Dry Run Through." A few of the songs reminded me of Cracker, one of my favorite bands. The voice is similar to Dave Lowery from Cracker and the last track on the album titled "Kentucky" is a fantastic finisher and sounds somewhat like "Eurotrash Girl."

This album stays very simple with not a lot of complicated or long guitar solos. There is some organ and synthesizer usage but "Parts" is mainly a guitar and drum album.

You probably won't find this album on the Billboard Top 100 and it may be difficult to find at your typical record store chain. This is definitely not attributed to the quality of "Parts." It's because it's on a small label and it won't get high profile advertising and the distribution a major label provides. If you can find it at your local record shop pick it up, and if you have to do some searching it'll be worth the effort.

Kevin C. Green is a Toronto writer.

Wired Texas jangle-punk with imagination and humor, All Transistor bounce around the entire 90s new music subculture. Not as warped as the Surfers or as "evil genius" as Roky Erickson, they represent the Lone Star state with admirable irreverance.Right from the start with "Phil Hartman" they're on it. And whatever it's about, its mournful and esoteric all at once. ("Right out side on the front lawn red wings lean against the seven tons and echoes a crippled dog on stage") Huh? "Too Much Blood" and "Money" are also fine songs, but their finest moments arrive on the super-catchy "Byshardme", the gentle but gritty "Bright, Quick Moving" and the best song, "Dry Run Through". There are thirteen members listed but no creditsso i don't know who's singingwhat, but the vocals are tight. Former member of the semi-legindary Zeitgeist/The Reivers, John Croslin had a hand in recording and mixing the record. More damn fine music from the state that brought us George W. and Buddy Holly. That's some gene pool they have down there.

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Never predictable, or even completely coherent, All Transistor's debut is a wildly strange album. With 13 members, this is mainly a Thane Matcek project and benefits from his schizophrenic songwriting aesthetic. Still, the set retains an impressive balance, alternating from bruising guitar rock to stripped down acoustics. Opening up with acoustic guitar and organ coughs before swinging into the deliriously happy '60s pop confection of "Cold Feet," many of these songs turn and go in a different direction before you get comfortable with them. Luckily, the songwriting quirks are actually endearing, with Matcek's nonsensical free associations pairing up with nice angular guitar and thundering drums. When All Transistor relies on volume, they readily evoke comparison to the Pixies with a little bit of Ass Ponys thrown into the mix. "Aquarium" certainly has an additional Guided By Voices feel, as the arrangements retain an accessibility even through the abstractions. Even so, this band tackles a few obscured country-tinged numbers like "Too Much Blood" and "Kentucky" with little more than acoustic guitar and stretched-out harmonies delivered with only a little less sincerity that Beck might use. Just as impressive, the swirling psychedelic soul of "Money" is another example of how varied its overall sound is, with Matcek employing his sincerest anguished croon. In the end, Parts is an interesting and highly listenable experimental rock album. ‹ Matt Fink

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