from Illnois Entertainer, date unknown, "Around Hear" column

by Jerome Oddbody

I'm not sure if the arrival of my tax return has made me a bit more cheery, or if this month's listening has simply been a cut above the usual, but the following "double shot" column is replete with solid, sometimes near-brilliant new music from the local folks. (You might want to use the "available from" addresses on a few of these.)

You've probably seen the name around as of late, and if you've seen them live, I envy you. Al Rose And The Transcendos get this month's award for the most thoroughly unique musical concotion: rock, country, jazz, gospel - you name it, it's in this five-song cassette. Ex-Buffalo Trout headmaster Rose has assembled a fantastic band of Transcendos: Steve Hashimoto on bass, drummer Heath Chappell, Andy Rubin on guitar and pedal steel, and the astral harmonies of Laura Blye, Tess Campbell, and Nona McClure (who can somehow make an irreverent line like "I don't need no tires for traction" absolutely believable).

"River And Sky" reminds me of a More Songs About Buildings and Food-era Talking Heads tune, only more genuine, with back-up vocals to blast the angst right out of your over-priced cup of silty espresso. The tension created between Hashimoto's poppin' bass, Rubin's never-miss guitar surges, and Chappell's almost persnickety drumwork buoys Rose's vocal interplay with those bustin' backups. Rose also seems to be something of a Frank Zappa fan, especially in the wise employment of his own lead vocals ( a good set of pipes that know their boundaries). "Holy Hands" opens with a picaresque Celtic flute intro that is quickly o'ertaken by a funked-up rhythm, thin, country-ish guitar, and more stellar vocal/harmony interplay. "Delirium Exacto" is a brooding haunting piece with ethereal harmonies, swooshing drum brushing, and a muted, twangy guitar lead that sounds like it's being played through a long, echoing, furry plastic tube. Sound unique yet?