TRACER

Paradoxical press sheet blub, in one sentence, describes Aussie trio Tracer's music as "a high energy mix of stoner anthems, biker attitude and classic power trio rock" but then seems to immediately contradict the description by declaring "Tracer is no retro act". In actuality, 'El Pistolero' oozes retro flavours in its stylistic pastiche. That's inescapable. It's in the listening experience. Why deny such? Well, the popularity of musical trends has always been ephemeral and cyclical, and classic rock underpinned with a stoner vibe seems to be experiencing a degree of commercial success at the moment so it could be argued the popularity of said style is, once again, contemporary. However, Tracer's adopted style in their compositions is indubitably retro. And it's a rather gritty classic rock vibe they've crafted with a grungy sounding rhythm guitar that's apt for carrying and conveying the stoner grooves at the core of most songs. Hell, even frontman Michael Brown's vocal tones adhere to classic rock stylings. So let's judge 'El Pistolero' for what it is and not what it might have pretences to be (or marketed to be)... and that's a good, occasionally very good, take on 70s rock and 90s stoner/grunge. Unfortunately, and this is the problem I have with most retro-sounding acts who sacrifice progression and innovation for the safer option of pastiche, there is little about Tracer's music that stands out and has the genuine "wow" factor. Press ramblings would also have you believe they're "forging more of their own identity" with this release. Own identity? Really? I hear nothing that is exclusively or creatively Tracer's "own". On the plus side, the album has a fine production/mix by the skilled hands of prolifically famed knob twiddler Kevin Shirley and, as I've already said, 'El Pistolero' is an above average take on Tracer's transparent influences. For many, this will make 'em the best band in the world as a large portion of the listening masses thrive on familiarity and a series of catchy tunes written around formulaic song structures that regurgitate currently popular styles so may well be enough to elevate Tracer to the next level. For me, though, retro or not, the album falls short of being labelled as "great"; I expect more originality from my music, particularly if a degree of originality is promised.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Mascot Records

Album

EL PISTOLERO

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

52:06

RELEASE DATE:

6th May 2013

TRACK LISTING

1) El Pistolero
2) Lady Killer
3) Dirty Little Secret
4) Dead Garden
5) Ballad of El Pistolero
6) Santa Cecilia
7) Wolf in Cheap Clothes
8) Scream in Silence
9) Hangman
10) Manic for Ya; 11) There's a Man
12) Until the War is Won; 13) Now I Ride

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Australia

"...it's a rather gritty classic rock vibe they've crafted with a grungy sounding rhythm guitar that's apt for carrying and conveying the stoner grooves at the core of most songs."